### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **maʻătsêbâh**, represented by `{{H4620}}`, is a term for **anguish; sorrow**. Derived from the root word for anguish, its biblical usage is highly specific. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse**, yet it delivers a potent theological message within its singular context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H4620}}` is in [[Isaiah 50:11]], where it serves as a stark warning. The verse describes those who kindle their own **fire** and surround themselves with their own sparks, only to be told by God, "This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in **sorrow**." In this passage, the word defines the ultimate consequence for those who choose to walk by their own self-generated light rather than relying on God. The sorrow is not a random occurrence but a direct result appointed by God's hand.
### Related Words & Concepts
The context of [[Isaiah 50:11]] links `{{H4620}}` to two other significant Hebrew words:
* `{{H784}}` **ʼêsh** (fire): Defined as **fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot**. While those in [[Isaiah 50:11]] kindle their own fire, scripture often depicts fire as an instrument of God's presence, purification, and judgment, such as the pillar of **fire** guiding Israel [[Exodus 13:21]] or the refining **fire** of the Lord [[Malachi 3:2]].
* `{{H7901}}` **shâkab** (to lie down): This root means **to lie down** for various purposes, including rest. The verb is often associated with peace and security, as in the promise, "ye shall **lie down**, and none shall make you afraid" [[Leviticus 26:6]]. However, in [[Isaiah 50:11]], this act of lying down is inverted, becoming a posture of inescapable **sorrow** rather than rest.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4620}}` is concentrated in its single, powerful use.
* **The Consequence of Self-Reliance:** The word illustrates the end result of human attempts to create their own source of light and guidance. Walking by the light of one's own "fire" leads directly to a state of divinely appointed **anguish**.
* **A Final State of Anguish:** The act of "lying down" `{{H7901}}` is typically associated with rest or peace [[Psalms 4:8]]. When paired with **sorrow** `{{H4620}}`, it signifies a final, settled condition of suffering from which there is no relief, a stark contrast to the peace God promises His followers.
* **Divine Judgment:** The sorrow is explicitly stated to come from God's hand, positioning `{{H4620}}` as a term for judicial suffering—a consequence directly meted out for the sin of rejecting God's provision and guidance.
### Summary
In summary, **maʻătsêbâh** `{{H4620}}` is a rare but impactful word that encapsulates the concept of sorrow as a divine consequence. Its lone appearance in [[Isaiah 50:11]] serves as a definitive statement on the fruitlessness of human self-reliance. It transforms the common notion of lying down to rest into a picture of final, inescapable anguish, underscoring a critical biblical theme: true light and rest are found only in God, while creating one's own leads to a bed of sorrow.
TRV