from צוּק; a narrow place, i.e. (abstractly and figuratively) confinement or disability; anguish, distress, straitness.
Transliteration:mâtsôwq
Pronunciation:maw-tsoke'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מָצוֹק (matsôwq, `{{H4689}}`) derives from the root צוּק (tsuq), which conveys the fundamental sense of being narrow, constrained, or pressed. At its most literal, מָצוֹק denotes a "narrow place" or "strait." From this concrete spatial meaning, its semantic range expands abstractly and figuratively to describe conditions of severe limitation and hardship. It encompasses various forms of distress, including:
* **Confinement or Restriction:** A state of being hemmed in or lacking freedom of movement, whether physically or circumstantially.
* **Disability or Difficulty:** A challenging or arduous situation that impedes progress or well-being.
* **Anguish or Distress:** Intense emotional or mental suffering, often arising from overwhelming external pressures or internal turmoil.
* **Straitness or Trouble:** A general term for severe tribulation, adversity, or affliction.
The word powerfully evokes the feeling of being "pressed in" from all sides, leading to a sense of urgency, helplessness, and profound suffering.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מָצוֹק appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, yet its occurrences are highly significant, consistently portraying situations of extreme hardship and peril.
* In Deuteronomy 28:53 and Jeremiah 19:9, מָצוֹק describes the dire "distress" or "straitness" of a siege, where the inhabitants are reduced to unimaginable suffering, even resorting to cannibalism. Here, the word underscores the ultimate consequence of divine judgment and covenant disobedience, illustrating a physical and psychological state of being utterly hemmed in by an enemy.
* Job 36:16 presents a contrasting image, where God delivers the righteous "out of distress" (מָצוֹק) into a "broad place" (רֶחֶב), where there is no constraint. This verse highlights God's power to rescue from affliction, transforming a state of narrowness and suffering into one of spaciousness and relief. The pairing of מָצוֹק with רֶחֶב is a powerful metaphor for salvation and liberation.
* The psalmist in Psalm 119:143 cries out, "Trouble and anguish have found me," using both צָרָה (tsarah, `{{H6869}}`, trouble) and מָצוֹק (anguish). This coupling intensifies the description of the psalmist's suffering, indicating a profound internal and external pressure. Despite this, the psalmist affirms delight in God's commandments, demonstrating faith amidst adversity.
* In prophetic contexts, Isaiah 8:22 and Isaiah 30:6 employ מָצוֹק to describe lands or journeys marked by "distress and darkness" or "trouble and anguish." These passages vividly depict the grim reality of a people under judgment or facing severe trials, emphasizing the pervasive nature of their affliction. The land itself is characterized by the oppressive weight of hardship.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of מָצוֹק is closely intertwined with other Hebrew terms that describe various forms of adversity, pressure, and suffering.
* **צוּק (tsuq):** The verbal root from which מָצוֹק derives, meaning "to press," "to bind," "to be narrow," or "to distress." This root appears in contexts of besieging a city or inflicting hardship.
* **צָרָה (tsarah, `{{H6869}}`):** A very common word for "distress," "trouble," or "affliction." It often appears in parallel with or in conjunction with מָצוֹק, as seen in Psalm 119:143, emphasizing a comprehensive state of hardship.
* **צַר (tsar, `{{H6862}}`):** Related to the same root, meaning "narrow" as an adjective, or "adversary/enemy" as a noun. The concept of an "enemy" is often linked to the experience of being "hemmed in" or "distressed."
* **לַחַץ (lachats, `{{H3906}}`):** Signifies "oppression" or "pressure," often from an external force or oppressor. While מָצוֹק focuses on the *state* of being pressed, לַחַץ often points to the *act* or *source* of the pressure.
These words collectively paint a robust picture of the human experience of suffering, whether from external enemies, natural calamities, or divine chastisement. The common thread is a sense of being confined, overwhelmed, and in desperate need of relief.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מָצוֹק is profound, illuminating several key aspects of biblical theology:
* **The Reality of Suffering:** מָצוֹק unequivocally affirms the pervasive reality of intense suffering and hardship in human existence. It is not merely discomfort but a deep, constricting anguish that can lead to extreme measures.
* **Consequence of Sin and Disobedience:** Particularly in the Deuteronomic context, מָצוֹק serves as a stark descriptor of the covenant curses, highlighting the severe consequences of national apostasy and disobedience to God's commands. It underscores God's justice in allowing His people to experience the "narrowness" of judgment when they depart from His "broad" path of blessing.
* **Divine Discipline and Refinement:** While often a consequence of sin, מָצוֹק can also be understood as a means of divine discipline, designed to humble, purify, and draw individuals or nations back to God. The experience of being "pressed" can lead to repentance and a renewed reliance on the Lord.
* **God as Deliverer:** Crucially, מָצוֹק often sets the stage for God's redemptive intervention. The very extremity of the "distress" highlights the magnitude of God's power to deliver. As seen in Job 36:16, God is portrayed as the one who brings His people out of the "narrow place" into "broadness," signifying salvation, liberation, and restoration. This demonstrates His faithfulness and compassion toward those who cry out to Him in their affliction.
* **Faith Amidst Adversity:** The use of מָצוֹק in Psalm 119:143 illustrates the possibility of maintaining faith and delight in God's Word even in the midst of overwhelming trouble, serving as a testament to the enduring power of spiritual conviction.
### Summary
מָצוֹק (matsôwq, `{{H4689}}`) is a potent Hebrew term that signifies a "narrow place," extending metaphorically to encompass profound "anguish," "distress," and "straitness." Derived from the root צוּק (tsuq), meaning "to press" or "to be narrow," the word vividly portrays situations of extreme physical, emotional, or circumstantial confinement and hardship. Biblical occurrences consistently depict מָצוֹק in contexts of severe tribulation, such as the horrors of a siege ([[Deuteronomy 28:53]], [[Jeremiah 19:9]]) or intense personal suffering ([[Psalm 119:143]]). Theologically, מָצוֹק underscores the stark reality of human suffering, often as a consequence of sin or a means of divine discipline. Yet, it also powerfully sets the stage for God's glorious deliverance, as He is consistently portrayed as the one who rescues His people from their "narrow places" into "broadness" and relief ([[Job 36:16]]). Thus, מָצוֹק serves as a poignant reminder of human vulnerability and the sovereign, redemptive power of God amidst life's deepest trials.
TRV