active participle feminine of מָצָה; drained; Motsah, a place in Palestine; Mozah.
Transliteration:Môtsâh
Pronunciation:mo-tsaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4681}}` (Môtsâh) functions primarily as a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location. Its etymological root, however, provides insight into its potential original meaning. `{{H4681}}` is derived from the verb `{{H4679}}` (matsah), which carries the core meaning "to drain," "to wring out," "to suck out," or "to exhaust." As an active participle feminine, `{{H4681}}` literally means "drained" or "wrung out." When applied to a place name, this suggests a location characterized by dryness, perhaps a place where water was scarce or had been drawn off, or even a place associated with the pressing or extracting of liquids (e.g., from grapes or olives). The semantic range for the place name itself is limited to its identification as a city.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H4681}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Joshua 18:26]]. In this passage, Motsah is enumerated among the cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin as part of their tribal inheritance. The verse reads: "And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah," (KJV, transliterated as Mozah).
The context is crucial: [[Joshua 18]] details the second phase of the land distribution among the Israelite tribes, following the initial allotments to Judah and Joseph. The land for the remaining seven tribes is surveyed, and their boundaries and cities are meticulously listed. Motsah is situated within a list of fourteen cities belonging to Benjamin, including Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, and others. The inclusion of Motsah in this detailed list underscores its existence as a recognized settlement during the period of the Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan. Its placement within a contiguous list of cities suggests a geographical proximity to its neighbors within Benjamin's territory, although its precise archaeological identification remains debated among scholars. The text offers no further descriptive details about Motsah, leaving its specific character or historical significance beyond its designation as a Benjaminite city to inference from its root meaning.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H4681}}` is its root verb, `{{H4679}}` (matsah), "to drain." This verb appears in contexts such as:
* [[Isaiah 51:17]]: "Thou hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast wrung out and drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling." Here, the verb signifies the complete consumption and draining of a cup, often associated with divine judgment.
* [[Psalm 75:8]]: "For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them." Again, the imagery of thoroughly draining a cup of judgment is present.
While `{{H4681}}` as a place name does not directly carry the theological weight of its root verb, the association with "draining" or "exhaustion" can subtly inform understanding. Other related concepts include:
* **Land Allotment:** The broader theme in Joshua of the division of the land by lot, emphasizing divine sovereignty and fulfillment of covenant promises.
* **Place Names:** The study of toponymy in the Bible often reveals characteristics or historical events associated with a location (e.g., Beer-sheba, "well of the oath").
### Theological Significance
As a mere place name, `{{H4681}}` (Motsah) holds no direct theological significance in itself. Its importance lies primarily in its inclusion within the divinely ordained distribution of the land of Canaan to the tribes of Israel. This meticulous listing of cities, including Motsah, serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding their descendants inheriting the land.
The very act of listing Motsah among the cities of Benjamin in [[Joshua 18:26]] underscores the precision and thoroughness of God's providential care for His people. Every parcel of land, every city, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, was part of His grand design for the nation of Israel. Even if the name "Motsah" suggested a "drained" or less fertile area, its inclusion demonstrates that all parts of the promised land were under divine jurisdiction and provision. This highlights God's sovereignty over geography and His meticulous attention to detail in establishing His people in their inheritance.
Indirectly, the root meaning "drained" could evoke themes of thoroughness or completion, echoing the way God's judgment is "drained" to the last drop, or how His promises are fulfilled completely. While this is not a direct theological statement about Motsah itself, it reflects the broader biblical lexicon from which the name is drawn.
### Summary
`{{H4681}}` (Môtsâh) is a Hebrew proper noun, meaning "drained" or "wrung out," derived from the verb `{{H4679}}` (matsah). It appears only once in the Bible, in [[Joshua 18:26]], where it is listed as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. While its etymology suggests a characteristic of the place (e.g., dryness or a place of extraction), the biblical text provides no further descriptive details. Its primary significance is its inclusion in the detailed account of Israel's land inheritance, underscoring God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises and His meticulous providential care in establishing His people within the Promised Land.
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