from מָגַר (in the sense of depositing); a granary; barn.
Transliteration:mammᵉgurâh
Pronunciation:mam-meg-oo-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מַמְּגֻרָה (mammᵉgurâh, `{{H4460}}`) derives from the root מָגַר (magar), understood in the specific sense of "to deposit" or "to store up." Consequently, mammᵉgurâh refers to a structure designed for the safekeeping of harvested agricultural produce, primarily grain. Its semantic range is narrow and precise, encompassing "granary" or "barn." The word inherently conveys the idea of preservation, security, and the provision of sustenance for future consumption, representing a vital component of ancient agrarian societies. It signifies a place where the fruits of labor and the bounty of the land are gathered and protected against spoilage or theft, ensuring survival and stability.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term mammᵉgurâh (`{{H4460}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joel:
* **[[Joel 1:17]]**: "The seed shrivels under the clods; the granaries (מַמְּגֻרָה) are desolate, the storehouses are in ruins, for the grain has withered."
In this sole occurrence, mammᵉgurâh is found within a vivid prophetic lament describing an unprecedented agricultural disaster, a result of a devastating locust plague and severe drought. The desolation of the mammᵉgurâh here is not merely a consequence but a powerful symbol of complete ruin. It signifies that not only have the current crops failed in the field, but even the previously stored provisions, the accumulated wealth and security, have been utterly destroyed or rendered useless. The parallel phrase "the storehouses are in ruins" (אוֹצָר, `{{H214}}`) underscores the totality of the loss. The empty granary in Joel's prophecy emphasizes the severity of divine judgment, leaving no reserves and plunging the community into immediate and profound famine. It speaks to a situation where the very foundation of sustenance has been eradicated, leaving no hope for the future based on human endeavor or past accumulation.
### Related Words & Concepts
While mammᵉgurâh (`{{H4460}}`) is unique in its singular occurrence, its meaning connects to a broader lexical field of storage and provision in the Hebrew Bible.
* **אוֹצָר (ʾôṣār, `{{H214}}`)**: This is a more general term for "treasury," "storehouse," or "store." It can refer to a place for keeping various valuables, not exclusively agricultural produce. Its parallelism with mammᵉgurâh in [[Joel 1:17]] suggests a similar function in that context, highlighting the complete absence of stored goods.
* **אָסָם (ʾāsām, `{{H618}}`)**: This word specifically denotes a "storehouse" or "barn," similar in meaning to mammᵉgurâh. It appears in contexts of blessing and abundance, such as [[Deuteronomy 28:8]] ("The LORD will command the blessing on you in your barns (אָסָם) and in all that you undertake") and [[Proverbs 3:10]] ("then your barns (אָסָם) will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine"). The contrast with the desolation of the mammᵉgurâh in Joel is stark, illustrating the difference between divine blessing and judgment.
* **Concepts**: The word is intrinsically linked to concepts of agricultural prosperity, divine blessing, and judgment. A full granary signifies God's favor and the people's diligence, while an empty one, as in Joel, represents the devastating consequences of divine wrath or the removal of blessing due to sin. It also touches upon themes of human dependence on God for sustenance and the fragility of human provision.
### Theological Significance
The solitary appearance of mammᵉgurâh (`{{H4460}}`) in [[Joel 1:17]] carries significant theological weight. It serves as a potent symbol of the comprehensive nature of divine judgment. A granary represents the fruit of labor, the accumulated blessing of the land, and the very means of survival for an agrarian society. Its desolation, therefore, signifies the complete withdrawal of divine provision. This is not merely a temporary setback but a profound crisis that threatens the very existence of the community.
The empty mammᵉgurâh underscores humanity's absolute dependence on God for sustenance. When God withholds rain and permits plagues, even the most diligent human efforts and accumulated wealth (in the form of stored grain) are rendered useless. In the prophetic context of Joel, this judgment is a direct consequence of the people's sin and disobedience, serving as a call to repentance. The destruction of the granaries is a stark reminder that true security and abundance flow from covenant faithfulness, not merely from agricultural productivity or human foresight. Conversely, the concept of full granaries, though not using this specific word, is a recurring image of God's blessing and faithfulness to His covenant people when they walk in obedience (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 28:8]], [[Proverbs 3:10]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַמְּגֻרָה (mammᵉgurâh, `{{H4460}}`) precisely denotes a "granary" or "barn," a structure for storing harvested grain. Its singular, yet powerful, occurrence in [[Joel 1:17]] paints a vivid picture of utter desolation. In this context, the mammᵉgurâh becomes a potent symbol of the complete collapse of agricultural abundance and the severe consequences of divine judgment. Its emptiness signifies not only the failure of current harvests but also the destruction of all accumulated provisions, highlighting the profound famine and the absolute lack of sustenance. Theologically, the desolation of the mammᵉgurâh underscores humanity's fundamental dependence on God for all provision and serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of divine judgment when covenant faithfulness is abandoned. It points to a deep truth: true security and life's sustenance ultimately rest in the hand of the Almighty.
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