The Hebrew word Môtsâh, represented by H4681, is the name for Mozah, a place in Palestine. The term is defined as "drained." It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making it an exceedingly rare term.
The sole biblical reference to H4681 occurs in the book of Joshua. It is mentioned in a list of cities that were part of the inheritance allotted to a tribe of Israel. The verse simply lists it alongside two other towns: "And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah" Joshua 18:26. The word does not appear in any other narrative or descriptive context.
Since H4681 appears only once, its context is defined by the other locations mentioned in the same verse. These related places provide a geographical and historical framework:
- H4708 Mitspeh (Mizpeh, watch tower): This was a significant location in Israel's history, mentioned as a place where Samuel judged the people 1 Samuel 7:6 and where the people of Israel gathered 1 Samuel 7:5.
- H3716 Kᵉphîyrâh (Chephirah): This name, defined as "the village," appears in several lists of cities alongside Mozah. It is mentioned in census records after the exile, such as in Ezra Ezra 2:25 and Nehemiah Nehemiah 7:29.
The significance of H4681 is not derived from any direct theological teaching but from its role within the biblical record.
- Geographical Record: Its inclusion in the list of cities in Joshua serves as a historical and geographical marker, documenting the specific fulfillment of the land allotment to the tribes of Israel Joshua 18:26.
- Historical Context: While Mozah itself is not connected to any specific events, its presence in the biblical text grounds the scriptures in a real-world, historical setting alongside more prominent locations like Mizpeh.
In summary, H4681 is a specific place name, Mozah, that appears once in scripture. Its meaning is tied entirely to its singular mention in a list of cities in Joshua 18:26. Unlike its neighboring towns of Mizpeh and Chephirah, Mozah has no associated narrative, making its contribution to the biblical text a purely geographical and historical one within the record of Israel's inheritance.
TRV