### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **maktêsh**, represented by `{{H4388}}`, is derived from the root `{{H3806}}` **kâthash**, meaning to butt or pound. It refers to a **mortar**, a hollowed-out vessel for pounding, and by analogy, a socket or any **hollow place**. Though it appears only **2 times** in **2 unique verses**, its usage provides two distinct and powerful images.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two appearances of `{{H4388}}` illustrate its dual meaning as both a man-made object and a natural formation. In Proverbs, it is used metaphorically as a **mortar**, a tool for grinding. The verse suggests that even if a fool were brayed in a **mortar** with a pestle, his foolishness would remain, highlighting an ingrained character flaw [[Proverbs 27:22]]. In Judges, the word is translated as a **hollow place**, describing a basin in the ground that God split open to provide water for Samson, demonstrating a site of divine intervention [[Judges 15:19]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the function and context of `{{H4388}}`:
* `{{H3806}}` **kâthash** (bray): This is the root action associated with a mortar. Defined as to butt or pound, it describes the process that takes place within the **maktêsh** [[Proverbs 27:22]].
* `{{H5940}}` **ʻĕlîy** (pestle): This is the tool used in tandem with the mortar. The **pestle** is used to pound the contents within the **maktêsh**, completing the image of grinding [[Proverbs 27:22]].
* `{{H1234}}` **bâqaʻ** (to cleave): This word describes the action God performed to create the **hollow place** in the jawbone from which water flowed. It means to rend or break open, connecting the formation of the **maktêsh** to a divine act [[Judges 15:19]].
### Theological Significance
The conceptual weight of `{{H4388}}` is seen in its two distinct applications.
* **A Vessel for Futile Correction:** In Proverbs, the **mortar** serves as a symbol of a harsh but ultimately ineffective process. It illustrates the profound biblical concept that some forms of foolishness are so deep-seated that even the most severe physical attempts at correction, like being brayed in a **mortar**, cannot remove them [[Proverbs 27:22]].
* **A Locus of Miraculous Provision:** In Judges, the **hollow place** is a symbol of God's power and grace. Out of a dry and unlikely place, God cleaves open a **maktêsh** to provide life-sustaining water. It stands as a testament to God's ability to bring forth provision from unexpected sources in response to need [[Judges 15:19]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4388}}` carries a specific physical meaning of a hollowed-out place that is used for significant symbolic purposes. Whether as a **mortar** in a proverb about incorrigible foolishness or as a divinely-created **hollow place** that becomes a source of miraculous water, **maktêsh** provides a vivid picture. It demonstrates how a simple object or land feature can be used in Scripture to illustrate deep truths about both human nature and divine power.
TRV