### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מַכְתֵּשׁ (Maktêsh), Strong's H4389, primarily denotes a "dell" or a "hollowed-out place." Its etymological root is closely related to the noun for "mortar" (as in a mortar and pestle), suggesting a depression or cavity that resembles such an implement. This implies a geographical feature characterized by a sunken or concave shape. In its sole biblical occurrence, it functions as a proper noun, referring to a specific locality within or near Jerusalem, known as "the Maktesh." This proper noun usage confirms its identification with a distinct topographical feature, likely a valley or depression, which may have been named for its characteristic shape.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַכְתֵּשׁ (Maktêsh) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Zephaniah:
* [[Zephaniah 1:11]]: "Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut off; all they that bear silver are cut off."
In this prophetic context, Zephaniah announces impending divine judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. The "Maktesh" is singled out as a specific area within Jerusalem whose inhabitants are called to lament. The accompanying phrase, "all the merchant people are cut off; all they that bear silver are cut off," strongly suggests that the Maktesh was a prominent commercial district or marketplace. This aligns well with the etymological connection to a "mortar," as a marketplace is a place where goods are "ground" or traded, and people gather. The judgment pronounced upon this area underscores a divine reckoning with the economic activities and potential injustices or idolatries associated with them. The geographical feature, a depression, may have naturally lent itself to a bustling market, providing a sheltered or central location for trade.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to מַכְתֵּשׁ (Maktêsh) is `{{H3807}}` (makhtesh), which means "mortar" or "grinding bowl." This direct lexical link illuminates the core semantic range of H4389, emphasizing the idea of a hollowed-out or depressed area. While other Hebrew words describe valleys (e.g., `{{H1516}}` Gai, `{{H5158}}` Nachal, `{{H6010}}` Amek), מַכְתֵּשׁ uniquely carries the connotation of a "mortar-like" depression, suggesting a specific kind of hollow. Conceptually, it relates to ideas of urban geography, commercial centers, and places of gathering. In the prophetic context, it is also intrinsically linked to themes of divine judgment, economic activity, and the consequences of unrighteous gain.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מַכְתֵּשׁ (Maktêsh) is primarily derived from its singular appearance in Zephaniah's oracle of judgment. By specifically naming this district, the prophet highlights God's precise and localized judgment upon Jerusalem. The identification of the Maktesh as a commercial hub (implied by "merchant people" and "bear silver") suggests that God's judgment extends to the economic life of the city, particularly where it may have become corrupt, exploitative, or idolatrous. The imagery of a "mortar" may symbolically underscore the nature of this judgment: just as grain is ground in a mortar, so too will the inhabitants and their illicit gains be "ground down" or crushed by divine wrath. This serves as a powerful reminder that no aspect of human life, including commerce, is exempt from God's scrutiny and righteous judgment. The lament called for in [[Zephaniah 1:11]] further emphasizes the severity and totality of this impending divine reckoning.
### Summary
מַכְתֵּשׁ (Maktêsh), H4389, denotes a "dell" or a "hollowed-out place," etymologically linked to the word for "mortar." Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Zephaniah 1:11]], where it refers to a specific district within Jerusalem. Contextually, this "Maktesh" is identified as a commercial center, targeted by God's judgment alongside its "merchant people." Theologically, its mention underscores the specificity of God's judgment, extending even to the economic heart of the city, and perhaps symbolically suggesting a place where the unrighteous will be "ground down" by divine wrath.
TRV