English · KJV
H4526

מִסְגֶּרֶת

miçgereth /mis-gheh'-reth/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom סָגַר
Meaningsomething enclosing, i.e. a margin (of a region, of a panel); concretely, a stronghold
KJV usageborder, close place, hole.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of miçgereth — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word miçgereth, represented by H4526, means "something enclosing." It appears 17 times in 14 unique verses and is used to describe a margin, border, stronghold, or close place. The word conveys a sense of being enclosed, whether for decorative structure or for confinement.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In Scripture, H4526 is used in two primary ways. Architecturally, it describes the decorative and structural components of the tabernacle and temple furnishings. It is the border of an hand breadth made for the holy table of showbread Exodus 25:25. On the ten bases in Solomon's temple, these borders were ornately decorated with graven images of lions H738, oxen H1241, and cherubims H3742 1 Kings 7:29. Figuratively, H4526 refers to a stronghold or "close place" from which enemies come out in fear. Strangers are depicted as being afraid and moving from their close places 2 Samuel 22:46, and enemies of the LORD H3068 are said to move from their holes like worms of the earth H776 Micah 7:17.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H4526 is used:

  • H4350 mᵉkôwnâh (a pedestal, also a spot; base): This word is directly linked to H4526 in the construction of the temple. The "borders" were a key feature of the ten "bases" made for the lavers 1 Kings 7:28, which King Ahaz later cut off 2 Kings 16:17.
  • H7979 shulchân (a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal): The border H4526 was a specific component of the holy table of showbread, and the rings H2885 for the staves were placed over against this border to carry the table Exodus 25:27.
  • H2213 zêr (a chaplet (as spread around the top), i.e. (specifically) a border moulding; crown): A golden crown was made for the border H4526 of the table of showbread, emphasizing its ornamental and sacred function (Exodus 25:25, Exodus 37:12).

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H4526 is twofold, reflecting its different applications.

  • Divine Order and Beauty: In its architectural use, the border signifies God's meticulous attention to detail and structure in sacred worship. The specific instructions for the border on the table Exodus 25:25 and bases 1 Kings 7:28 establish a framework of ordained beauty, separating and sanctifying the objects used in His service.
  • Constriction and Fear of Judgment: As a "close place" or "hole," H4526 symbolizes the futile strongholds of God's enemies. These places do not offer true security; instead, they are places of confinement from which strangers will "fade away" and "be afraid" Psalms 18:45. It illustrates that no fortress can protect from the fear of the LORD H3068 Micah 7:17.

Summary

In summary, miçgereth H4526 is a word that encompasses both divine design and divine judgment. As a border, it defines the sacred space and beauty of objects consecrated to God. As a close place, it represents the constricted and fearful end of those who oppose Him. The word shows how a single concept of "enclosure" can be applied to both the intricate beauty of holiness and the inescapable reality of judgment.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 16 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מִּסְגְּרֹתֵי
  • מִסְגְּרֹת
  • מִסְגֶּרֶת
  • מִּסְגֶּרֶת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H738 אֲרִי or (prolonged) [ar-yay']; from אָרָה (in the sense of violence); a lion; (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin) H1241 בָּקָר from בָּקַר; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd; bee H3742 כְּרוּב of uncertain derivation; a cherub or imaginary figure; cherub, (plural) cherubims. H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H776 אֶרֶץ from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, e H4350 מְכוֹנָה or מְכֹנָה; feminine of מָכוֹן; a pedestal, also a spot; base.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 6 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Kings (6 verses); never once in the other 33.

4
Exodus
1
2 Samuel
6
1 Kings
1
2 Kings
1
Psalms
1
Micah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.