or feminine מַעֲבָרָה; from עָבַר; a crossing-place (of a river, a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, i.e. (figuratively) overwhelming; ford, place where...pass, passage.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **maʻăbâr**, represented by `{{H4569}}`, refers to a **crossing-place**. It is derived from the root verb `{{H5674}}`, meaning "to cross over." Appearing **11 times** in **11 unique verses**, this word most often signifies a ford in a river or a pass through mountains. These locations are consistently depicted as critical points of transit with significant strategic value.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4569}}` is used in several key military and geographical contexts. It marks the location of Jacob's pivotal crossing at "the ford Jabbok" [[Genesis 32:22]]. More frequently, it denotes a strategic chokepoint. The Israelites under Ehud "took the fords of Jordan toward Moab" to cut off the enemy's retreat [[Judges 3:28]]. Similarly, the Gileadites captured "the passages of Jordan" to intercept and identify their Ephraimite foes [[Judges 12:5]]. The term also refers to mountain passes, such as the "passage of Michmash" where a Philistine garrison was stationed [[1 Samuel 13:23]]. Figuratively, it describes the overwhelming transit of God's judgment [[Isaiah 30:32]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand upon the actions and contexts surrounding these crossing-places:
* `{{H5674}}` **ʻâbar** (to cross over): This is the primitive root from which **maʻăbâr** is derived. It describes the very action of transition that occurs at a passage, as seen when Jonathan sought "to go over unto the Philistines' garrison" by way of the passages [[1 Samuel 14:4]].
* `{{H3920}}` **lâkad** (to catch... capture or occupy): This verb highlights the strategic importance of a **maʻăbâr** by describing its seizure. The Gileadites "took the passages of Jordan" to control the territory and prevent their enemies from escaping [[Judges 12:5]].
* `{{H7291}}` **râdaph** (to run after... pursue): This word is often used in connection with fords, emphasizing their role as destinations in a chase. After Rahab hid the spies, men "pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords" [[Joshua 2:7]].
### Theological Significance
The strategic weight of `{{H4569}}` is immense in the Old Testament narrative. It consistently functions as a point of decision and control.
* **Military Chokepoint:** A **maʻăbâr** is a natural point of control for armies. Seizing one could determine the outcome of a conflict, as demonstrated when the Gileadites controlled the Jordan passages to annihilate the fleeing Ephraimites [[Judges 12:6]] and when the passages of Babylon were "stopped" during its fall [[Jeremiah 51:32]].
* **Place of Judgment:** These crossings often become sites of fateful encounters. The passages of the Jordan served as a deadly checkpoint where forty-two thousand Ephraimites were slain for their inability to pronounce "Shibboleth" correctly [[Judges 12:6]].
* **Symbol of Vulnerability:** A ford or pass can be a place of exposure and weakness. The daughters of Moab are depicted as helpless wanderers "at the fords of Arnon" during a time of crisis [[Isaiah 16:2]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4569}}` is far more than a simple geographical marker. It is a cornerstone of biblical military strategy and narrative, designating a critical point of transition—whether a river ford or a mountain pass—that must be crossed or controlled. Its usage consistently underscores that these locations are pivot points where the fates of individuals, armies, and even nations are decided.
TRV