### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **makbâr**, represented by `{{H4346}}`, refers to a **thick cloth**. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, highlighting its very specific and singular usage in the biblical text. The term is derived from a root word meaning to cover.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole use of `{{H4346}}` is found in a narrative of regicide. In [[2 Kings 8:15]], a **thick cloth** is taken by Hazael, dipped in water, and spread on the face of the king, causing his death. This act of suffocation allowed Hazael to reign in his stead. The **makbâr** is presented as an ordinary object used as a deadly weapon, central to this political transfer of power.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several words are contextually related to **makbâr** in its single biblical appearance:
* `{{H2881}}` **ṭâbal** (to dip, to immerse): This verb is directly linked to the action performed with the **thick cloth**, as it was **dipped** in water before being used as a weapon [[2 Kings 8:15]]. This action is also seen in other contexts, such as ritual cleansing [[Numbers 19:18]] and healing [[2 Kings 5:14]].
* `{{H4283}}` **mochŏrâth** (the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow): This term establishes the timeframe for the event, indicating that the assassination occurred on **the morrow** [[2 Kings 8:15]]. It often signals a pivotal moment or a new phase in a narrative, such as the cessation of manna [[Joshua 5:12]].
* `{{H4325}}` **mayim** (water): This common word for **water** is the substance into which the **thick cloth** was dipped [[2 Kings 8:15]]. While often associated with life and blessing ([[Isaiah 55:1]], [[Psalms 1:3]]), in this specific account, it becomes an agent of death when combined with the cloth.
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H4346}}` is found in its narrative function rather than in direct theological teaching.
* **Instrument of Human Will:** The **makbâr** is not inherently good or evil, but in [[2 Kings 8:15]], it becomes a tool for carrying out a deadly plan. Its use highlights how a simple object can be central to an act of treachery and a subsequent change in leadership.
* **Subversion of a Common Item:** A cloth, normally used for covering, is repurposed for suffocation. This is coupled with **water** `{{H4325}}`, typically a symbol of life and refreshment [[Isaiah 55:1]], which in this case facilitates the murder.
* **Pivotal Narrative Object:** Though mentioned only once, the **thick cloth** is the key object that facilitates the death of a king and the rise of another. Its singular appearance underscores its role in this specific, dramatic moment of history as recorded in scripture.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4346}}` **makbâr** is a term for a **thick cloth** with a single, memorable appearance in the Old Testament. Its significance comes not from frequent use, but from its central role as a murder weapon in the assassination of a king [[2 Kings 8:15]]. The context illustrates how a common household item, when combined with **water** `{{H4325}}` and human intent, can become an instrument of death, decisively altering the course of leadership. The story of the **makbâr** is a stark reminder of how ordinary objects can be pivotal in the unfolding of biblical narratives.
TRV