### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mâʻôṭ**, represented by `{{H4593}}`, is defined as "thinned (as to the edge), i.e. sharp; wrapped up." It is a highly specific term that appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, marking its usage as uniquely tied to its sole context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H4593}}` is found in a prophecy of judgment in [[Ezekiel 21:15]]. Here, God declares that He has set the "point of the sword against all their gates" to cause terror and multiply ruin. The verse concludes with a description of this sword: "ah! it is made bright, it is **wrapped up** for the slaughter." The term is used to describe the state of readiness of the divine weapon of judgment, which is sharpened, polished, and prepared for its grim purpose.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its context illuminate the meaning of `{{H4593}}`:
* `{{H2719}}` **chereb** (sword): This is the object being described as "wrapped up." It is a cutting instrument used for its destructive effect and is a common symbol of war and judgment [[Isaiah 2:4]].
* `{{H1300}}` **bârâq** (bright): This word, meaning "lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword," is used in parallel with `{{H4593}}` to describe the sword's fearsome appearance. It is prepared to "glitter" before it strikes [[Ezekiel 21:10]].
* `{{H2874}}` **ṭebach** (slaughter): This term defines the explicit purpose for which the sword is "wrapped up." It denotes butchery or a place of slaughter, highlighting the violent end for which the weapon is prepared [[Isaiah 53:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4593}}` is concentrated entirely within its single use, emphasizing themes of divine judgment.
* **Meticulous Preparation for Judgment:** The description of the sword as both "bright" `{{H1300}}` and "wrapped up" `{{H4593}}` indicates a state of complete readiness. It is not a spontaneous or haphazard punishment, but a deliberate and prepared action.
* **The Certainty of Divine Wrath:** The sword is set against the people's gates to make their heart "faint" `{{H4127}}` and to multiply their "ruins" `{{H4383}}`. The use of `{{H4593}}` contributes to the sense of an unavoidable, sealed fate, as the instrument of judgment is readied for its task [[Ezekiel 21:15]].
* **Instrument of Slaughter:** The word is directly linked to the purpose of "slaughter" `{{H2874}}`. Being "wrapped up" can imply that the sword is sharpened and sheathed, ready to be drawn for its specific, deadly function as an agent of God's verdict.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4593}}` is a rare biblical term whose meaning is inseparable from its singular context in [[Ezekiel 21:15]]. As **mâʻôṭ**, it describes the Lord's sword of judgment as being "wrapped up," or prepared, for slaughter. Paired with the imagery of a bright, glittering blade, it conveys a powerful message of a divine judgment that is deliberate, certain, and terrifyingly ready to be executed.
TRV