Word Study for H4690 (מָצוּק)

mâtsûwq /maw-tsook'/ Ask about this word

Rootor מָצֻק · from צוּק

Meaningsomething narrow, i.e. a column or hilltop

KJV usagepillar, situate.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mâtsûwq — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mâtsûwq, represented by H4690, denotes something narrow, such as a pillar or hilltop. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, giving each instance a specific weight. Its definition encompasses both physical structures, like a column, and geographical features, and it is also rendered as situate.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H4690 is used in two distinct contexts. The first is theological, describing the foundational supports of creation as the "pillars of the earth" which belong to the LORD H3068 and upon which He has set the world H8398 1 Samuel 2:8. The second usage is geographical, where the word is translated as situate to describe the position of a cliff's forefront H8127, which was located northward over against Michmash H4363 1 Samuel 14:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H4690 in its contexts:

H776 'erets (earth): In 1 Samuel 2:8, the pillars H4690 are identified as the "pillars of the earth," establishing them as the foundation of the physical world.
H8398 têbêl (world): This word is used in parallel, as God sets the world upon the pillars H4690. It refers to the globe or its habitable parts, emphasizing the scale of what is being supported 1 Samuel 2:8.
H8127 shên (forefront): Used in 1 Samuel 14:5, this word is translated as forefront but figuratively means a cliff or crag. Its use alongside H4690 firmly places the meaning in this context as a physical, elevated landmark.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4690 is concentrated in its use in Hannah's prayer.

Divine Ownership and Sustaining Power: The declaration that "the pillars H4690 of the earth are the LORD'S" affirms God's absolute sovereignty over creation. He not only created the world but actively sustains its very foundations 1 Samuel 2:8.
Foundation of Justice: This statement about God's foundational power is the basis for His ability to invert the social order—to raise the poor H1800 from the dust H6083 and the beggar H34 from the dunghill H830 to set them on a throne H3678 of glory H3519 1 Samuel 2:8. His control over the physical world undergirds his moral authority.
Metaphor for Stability: The concept of a pillar or column implies strength, stability, and support. By using H4690, the text portrays the world as a structure firmly established and set H7896 by God, resting on principles He alone put in place 1 Samuel 2:8.

Summary

In summary, H4690 carries a dual significance despite its rare usage. It can refer to a literal, narrow geographic feature like a hilltop or cliff, as seen in the military narrative of 1 Samuel. More profoundly, it serves as a powerful metaphor for the foundational pillars of the world, established and owned by the LORD. This illustrates that the God who controls the very structure of the earth H776 is the same God who raises the humble and establishes justice among mankind.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

מְצֻקֵי
מָצוּק

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in 1 Samuel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.