### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun maʻătsêbâh (מַעֲצֵבָה, `{{H4620}}`) is derived from the verbal root ʻātsab (עָצַב, `{{H6087}}`), which primarily conveys the sense of "to hurt," "to pain," "to grieve," or "to vex." As a noun, maʻătsêbâh specifically denotes a state of profound emotional distress. Its core meaning encompasses "anguish" and "sorrow," indicating a deep, internal suffering that is more intense and pervasive than fleeting sadness. The feminine noun form suggests a condition or a state of being. The semantic range of maʻătsêbâh thus points to a weighty, oppressive grief, often associated with circumstances that inflict significant emotional or psychological pain. While the root ʻātsab can also relate to "forming" or "fashioning," the context of maʻătsêbâh clearly aligns with the affective dimension of pain and sorrow.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term maʻătsêbâh (מַעֲצֵבָה, `{{H4620}}`) is remarkably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once, which amplifies its significance within that singular context.
* **[[1 Chronicles 4:9]]**: "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in maʻătsêbâh (sorrow).'"
In this solitary occurrence, maʻătsêbâh refers to the profound sorrow or anguish experienced by Jabez's mother during his birth. The intensity of this pain was so significant that it became the etymological basis for his name, reflecting a deeply impactful and memorable distress. This is not merely a fleeting discomfort but a foundational maʻătsêbâh that marked the very beginning of his life. The context underscores that such deep sorrow can be a defining characteristic, shaping identity and perceived destiny. The narrative then immediately pivots to Jabez's subsequent honorable life and his famous prayer, where God grants his request, providing a striking contrast to his sorrowful origin.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding maʻătsêbâh is enhanced by examining its linguistic relatives, all stemming from the root ʻātsab (עָצַב, `{{H6087}}`):
* **ʻātsab (עָצַב, `{{H6087}}`):** The verbal root itself, meaning "to grieve," "to pain," or "to vex." This root is used to describe God's grief over humanity ([[Genesis 6:6]]) and human sorrow or vexation ([[1 Samuel 20:34]]). It lays the foundation for the noun forms of pain.
* **ʻetsev (עֶצֶב, `{{H6093}}`):** A masculine noun from the same root, frequently translated as "pain," "toil," or "grief." This is a very close cognate to maʻătsêbâh and often overlaps in meaning. Examples include the pain of childbirth ([[Genesis 3:16]]) or sorrow of heart ([[Proverbs 15:13]]). While ʻetsev can denote general pain or toil, maʻătsêbâh in its unique context seems to emphasize a deeper, more profound, and perhaps defining anguish.
* **maʻatsav (מַעֲצָב, `{{H4619}}`):** Another related noun, also meaning "pain" or "toil," though less common than ʻetsev.
* **tugah (תּוּגָה, `{{H8424}}`):** While not etymologically related, tugah is another significant Hebrew term for "sorrow" or "grief," often used in contexts of deep lamentation, sharing a similar semantic field of profound sadness.
The distinction between maʻătsêbâh and ʻetsev is subtle but important. Maʻătsêbâh, through its singular, impactful usage in the narrative of Jabez, suggests a sorrow so formative and intense that it becomes etched into one's very being or identity, whereas ʻetsev can describe a broader range of pain, toil, or grief.
### Theological Significance
The singular, powerful appearance of maʻătsêbâh in [[1 Chronicles 4:9]] offers profound theological insights:
1. **The Reality of Profound Suffering:** Maʻătsêbâh affirms that human existence, even from its very inception, can be marked by deep and significant anguish. Jabez's birth, though a moment of new life, was simultaneously a moment of profound sorrow for his mother. This acknowledges the pervasive reality of pain in a fallen world, a theme consistent throughout Scripture.
2. **Sorrow as a Defining, Yet Not Determinative, Factor:** The maʻătsêbâh of Jabez's birth was so potent that it shaped his name, implying a life potentially defined by sorrow. However, the narrative immediately counters this by highlighting his honor and God's abundant blessing upon his prayer. This juxtaposition powerfully illustrates that while sorrow may mark our beginnings or experiences, it does not ultimately determine our destiny when God's grace intervenes. God can redeem and transform circumstances born out of the deepest anguish.
3. **Prayer as a Response to Anguish:** Jabez's response to his sorrowful name is not despair but fervent prayer. He actively seeks God's intervention to transcend the implications of his birth-maʻătsêbâh. This teaches that deep anguish can be a catalyst for drawing closer to God, prompting earnest supplication and reliance on divine power to overcome adversity. It embodies the biblical principle that our pain can drive us to the very source of comfort and blessing.
### Summary
Maʻătsêbâh (מַעֲצֵבָה, `{{H4620}}`) is a rare yet profoundly significant Hebrew noun, meaning "anguish" or "sorrow," derived from the root ʻātsab (`{{H6087}}`). Its sole biblical occurrence in [[1 Chronicles 4:9]] depicts the intense maʻătsêbâh experienced by Jabez's mother at his birth, a sorrow so deep it became the etymological basis for his name. This unique usage distinguishes maʻătsêbâh as a profound, foundational distress, perhaps more intense than other related terms like ʻetsev (`{{H6093}}`). Theologically, the narrative of Jabez powerfully demonstrates that while life may begin or be marked by deep anguish, such sorrow does not have the final word. Through fervent prayer and divine favor, God can redeem and bless a life, transforming circumstances born out of maʻătsêbâh into a testimony of His surpassing grace and power.
TRV