from סָגַר; a fastener, i.e. (of a person) a smith, (of a thing) a prison; prison, smith.
Transliteration:maçgêr
Pronunciation:mas-gare'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4525}}` (maçgêr) is derived from the root `{{H5462}}` (sagar), which fundamentally means "to shut," "to close," or "to deliver up." This etymological connection provides the core semantic range for `{{H4525}}`, extending into two primary, yet related, applications:
1. **As a Person/Agent:** It refers to a "fastener" in the sense of one who works with materials to create secure enclosures, locks, or implements. This primarily denotes a "smith" or "metalworker," specifically an artisan skilled in forging, locksmithing, or general craftsmanship involving metal. Such individuals were crucial for infrastructure, warfare, and daily life, creating tools, weapons, and also the means of confinement.
2. **As a Place/Object:** It refers to a "fastening" in the sense of an enclosed or locked place, specifically a "prison," "dungeon," or a place of secure confinement. This usage directly reflects the function of the "fasteners" created by the smith.
The common thread is the concept of "enclosure" or "containment," whether by the skill of a craftsman or by the physical structure designed for restraint.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H4525}}` appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly significant, particularly in the context of the Babylonian exile and divine judgment.
* **2 Kings 24:14, 24:16, 25:11:** In these passages, `{{H4525}}` is translated as "smiths" or "craftsmen." They describe the deportation of skilled workers from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. These verses highlight the strategic importance of these artisans, whose removal would significantly cripple Judah's ability to rebuild or resist. The "smiths" were not merely manual laborers but essential contributors to the nation's technological and economic capacity. Their exile was a deliberate act to weaken Judah and strengthen Babylon.
* **Jeremiah 24:1:** Similar to 2 Kings, this verse refers to the "craftsmen" (masger) who were taken into exile with King Jeconiah. This reiterates the severity of the judgment and the comprehensive nature of the deportation, targeting not just the political elite but also the vital skilled labor force.
* **Isaiah 24:22:** Here, `{{H4525}}` takes on its other meaning, "prison" or "dungeon." This verse speaks of the Lord's judgment upon the wicked, who "will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit, and will be shut up in a prison." This usage underscores the theme of divine confinement and ultimate judgment, where the wicked are secured and held accountable for their transgressions.
The dual usage of `{{H4525}}` within these contexts provides a powerful commentary: the very skills that enabled human society (the smiths) could also be used to enforce confinement (the prison), reflecting both human capability and divine sovereignty over the consequences of sin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H4525}}` is enriched by its relationship with several other Hebrew terms:
* **`{{H5462}}` (sagar):** The root verb, meaning "to shut," "to close," "to lock," or "to deliver up." This is the foundational concept from which `{{H4525}}` derives its meaning of enclosure and restriction.
* **`{{H2796}}` (charash):** A broader term for "craftsman," "artisan," or "engraver." While `{{H4525}}` specifically points to metalworkers or those dealing with fasteners, `{{H2796}}` encompasses a wider range of skilled trades, including carpenters, stonecutters, and smiths.
* **`{{H6879}}` (tsaraph):** To "refine" or "test," often used in the context of refining metals, thus implicitly referring to the work of a metalworker or goldsmith.
* **`{{H631}}` (bohr):** "Pit," "cistern," or "dungeon." This word frequently denotes a place of confinement, often dark and inescapable, similar to the "prison" aspect of `{{H4525}}`.
* **`{{H3628}}` (kele'):** A general term for "prison" or "confinement." This word often describes a place where prisoners are held, aligning with the "prison" meaning of `{{H4525}}`.
These related terms collectively paint a picture of human skill, the means of securing and restraining, and the ultimate divine power to confine and judge.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4525}}` lies in its dual representation of human capacity and divine judgment.
1. **Human Skill and Societal Foundation:** The "smiths" (maçgêr) represent essential skilled labor, indispensable for any functioning society. Their removal during the Babylonian exile was not merely a loss of population but a strategic act of debilitation, highlighting the severe consequences of national disobedience. It underscores the Lord's judgment, which impacts every facet of a nation, including its economic and technological infrastructure.
2. **Divine Sovereignty over Confinement and Judgment:** The use of `{{H4525}}` as "prison" in Isaiah 24:22 is a powerful image of God's ultimate control over the destiny of the wicked. It speaks to a divine "shutting up" or "imprisonment" of those who defy Him, ensuring that justice will be meted out. This confinement is not random but a deliberate act of divine judgment, emphasizing God's righteousness and His power to bring all things to account.
3. **Consequences of Sin:** Both aspects of `{{H4525}}` indirectly speak to the consequences of sin. The exile of the smiths was a direct result of Judah's unfaithfulness. The "prison" for the wicked is the ultimate outcome of their rebellion against God. The word thus serves as a stark reminder of the Lord's justice and the inevitability of facing the consequences of one's actions, whether through national calamity or personal judgment.
### Summary
`{{H4525}}` (maçgêr) is a Hebrew term with a fascinating dual meaning, stemming from the root `{{H5462}}` (sagar, "to shut"). It refers both to a "smith" or "metalworker"—one who creates fasteners and enclosures—and to a "prison" or "dungeon"—a place of confinement. In its biblical occurrences, primarily in 2 Kings and Jeremiah, `{{H4525}}` denotes the skilled artisans deported during the Babylonian exile, underscoring the devastating impact of God's judgment on Judah's societal fabric. In Isaiah, it refers to the "prison" where the wicked will be confined, powerfully illustrating divine sovereignty and the certainty of judgment. Thus, `{{H4525}}` encapsulates themes of human skill, national devastation, and the ultimate divine power to enclose and judge, serving as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin and the Lord's righteous governance.
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