### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term miphgâʻ (מִפְגָּע), Strong's number `{{H4645}}`, is a noun derived from the verb pâgaʻ (פָּגַע), Strong's number `{{H6293}}`. The root pâgaʻ carries a diverse semantic range, encompassing meanings such as "to meet," "to encounter," "to strike," "to attack," and even "to intercede." The nominal form miphgâʻ, with its preformative מִ (mi-), typically denotes a place, instrument, or the object/result of an action. Consequently, miphgâʻ signifies "that which is struck," "that which is met," or "that which is encountered." Its core meaning, as reflected in its base definition, is "an object of attack" or a "mark," implying a designated target or a point of impact. It speaks to the passive experience of being the recipient of an action, particularly one involving forceful contact or focused attention.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word miphgâʻ (מִפְגָּע) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its sole occurrence highly significant for understanding its precise nuance. This singular instance is found in the book of Job:
* **[[Job 7:20]]**: "If I sin, what do I do to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your mark (miphgâʻ), so that I am a burden to myself?"
In this poignant lament, Job addresses God directly, expressing his profound sense of being unjustly afflicted. He perceives himself not merely as suffering incidentally, but as having been deliberately singled out by God as a target for divine attention and, by implication, divine judgment or affliction. The phrase "Why have You set me as Your mark" powerfully conveys Job's feeling of being under an intense, almost punitive, focus from the Almighty. He feels like an object upon which God has directed His gaze and His hand, resulting in overwhelming personal burden and suffering. This context unequivocally supports the definition of miphgâʻ as a "mark" or "object of attack," underscoring the feeling of being a designated recipient of a powerful, often negative, encounter.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root pâgaʻ (פָּגַע - `{{H6293}}`), from which miphgâʻ is derived. As noted, pâgaʻ can mean:
* To meet or encounter (e.g., [[Genesis 28:11]] where Jacob "met" a certain place).
* To strike or attack (e.g., [[Exodus 5:3]] where God threatens to "fall upon" Israel with pestilence).
* To intercede or entreat (e.g., [[Isaiah 53:12]] where the Servant "interceded" for transgressors; [[Jeremiah 7:16]] where Jeremiah is forbidden to "intercede" for the people).
The noun miphgâʻ isolates the *passive* dimension of pâgaʻ, emphasizing the one who is *being met* or *being struck*. It contrasts with the active agent of the encounter. Other related concepts include:
* **Target/Aim**: The idea of a miphgâʻ as a "mark" naturally evokes the imagery of an archery target or a point upon which focus is directed.
* **Affliction/Suffering**: Given its context in Job, miphgâʻ is closely associated with the experience of intense, divinely perceived suffering.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Vulnerability**: The word highlights the vast disparity between God's power and human frailty, especially when one feels exposed to God's direct, even if mysterious, action.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of miphgâʻ in [[Job 7:20]] is profoundly theologically significant. It encapsulates a core aspect of human suffering and the struggle to reconcile it with divine justice and benevolence. Job's perception of himself as God's "mark" reveals a deep spiritual crisis: he feels singled out, not for blessing, but for an intense, seemingly unmerited, divine focus of affliction.
This word illuminates:
1. **The Mystery of Suffering**: Job's lament underscores the human inability to fully comprehend the reasons for intense suffering, especially when it feels like a direct, intentional act from God. The word miphgâʻ gives voice to the feeling of being a specific object of divine attention in pain.
2. **The Nature of Divine Interaction**: While God's interaction with humanity is often portrayed as protective and redemptive, Job's experience presents a stark counterpoint, where divine attention is perceived as burdensome and destructive. This challenges simplistic views of God's relationship with His creation.
3. **Human Vulnerability and Plea**: miphgâʻ highlights the utter vulnerability of humanity before the Almighty. Job's question is not just a complaint but a desperate plea for understanding from a God he perceives as having made him a target. It speaks to the universal human cry for meaning in the face of inexplicable pain.
Theologically, miphgâʻ serves as a powerful descriptor for the experience of feeling exposed and targeted by forces beyond one's control, even when those forces are perceived as divine.
### Summary
miphgâʻ (מִפְגָּע - `{{H4645}}`), derived from pâgaʻ (פָּגַע - `{{H6293}}`), denotes "an object of attack" or a "mark." Its sole biblical appearance in [[Job 7:20]] provides a vivid portrayal of Job's anguish as he perceives himself to be God's direct target for affliction. This unique word encapsulates the profound human experience of feeling singled out for suffering, highlighting the mystery of pain and the struggle to reconcile it with divine action. It underscores themes of human vulnerability, the intensity of personal lament, and the desperate plea for understanding from one who feels utterly exposed before the Almighty.
TRV