or מָצֻק; from צוּק; something narrow, i.e. a column or hilltop; pillar, situate.
Transliteration:mâtsûwq
Pronunciation:maw-tsook'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מָצוּק (mâtsûwq), Strong's H4690, derives from the root צוּק (tsûwq, `{{H6693}}`), which fundamentally conveys the idea of being "narrow," "constrained," "pressed," or "in distress." From this core concept of narrowness, mâtsûwq extends its semantic range to describe physical objects or locations characterized by such constriction or prominence. Primarily, it refers to "something narrow," which can manifest as:
1. **A Pillar or Column:** Denoting a tall, slender, and upright structure. This emphasizes the vertical narrowness.
2. **A Hilltop, Crag, or Narrow Pass:** Referring to a topographical feature that is elevated and confined, often implying a difficult or strategic passage. This highlights horizontal or environmental narrowness.
The nuance of "pressure" or "tightness" inherent in the root also carries over, particularly when describing things that are compactly joined or impenetrable.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word מָצוּק (mâtsûwq) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences provide clear contextual understanding:
* **[[1 Samuel 14:4]]**: "Between the passes by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine outpost there was a sharp crag on one side and a sharp crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh."
* Here, mâtsûwq is used in the dual form (מְצֻקִים, metsûqim) to describe two prominent, narrow rock formations or "crags" that flank a strategic pass. This topographical description emphasizes a constricted and challenging terrain, making the Philistine outpost difficult to approach. It sets the scene for Jonathan's audacious and divinely-empowered maneuver, highlighting that human strategic advantage is limited by such natural barriers, yet God's power transcends them.
* **[[Job 41:15]] (MT 41:7)**: "His rows of scales are his pride, shut up together as with a tight seal."
* In this poetic description of Leviathan, mâtsûwq (מְצוּקִים, metsuqim, plural) refers to the scales of the creature. The context implies that these scales are "tightly joined" or "pressed together" so compactly as to be impenetrable, like a "tight seal." This usage leans heavily on the root's sense of "tightness" and "pressure," conveying the formidable and unassailable nature of Leviathan, a creature beyond human conquest.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for מָצוּק (mâtsûwq) is its root:
* **צוּק (tsûwq, `{{H6693}}`)**: This verbal root means "to be narrow," "to bind," "to press," or "to be in distress." The noun mâtsûwq is a concrete manifestation of this root's core meaning, describing something that *is* narrow or *causes* narrowness/tightness.
Other conceptually related words, though not directly etymologically linked, include:
* **צור (tsur, `{{H6697}}`)**: "Rock," "cliff," "fortress." While broader in meaning, it shares the semantic field of prominent, often difficult, rocky formations.
* **סלע (selaʿ, `{{H5553}}`)**: "Crag," "rock," "cliff." Similar to tsur, it denotes a rocky outcrop, often with connotations of inaccessibility or refuge.
* **צרה (tsarah, `{{H6862}}`)**: "Distress," "trouble," "anguish." While mâtsûwq itself does not mean distress, the root tsûwq often implies a state of being "hemmed in" or "in a tight place," leading to distress. This connection highlights the experiential aspect of "narrowness."
### Theological Significance
Though limited in its occurrences, the word מָצוּק (mâtsûwq) contributes to biblical theology by underscoring divine power and sovereignty in both creation and redemptive history:
1. **Divine Sovereignty Over Natural Obstacles:** In [[1 Samuel 14:4]], the "narrow crags" represent a formidable natural barrier, a humanly impassable obstacle. Yet, it is precisely within this constrained environment that God empowers Jonathan to achieve an impossible victory. The mâtsûqim serve not as an insurmountable hindrance to God's plan, but as a backdrop against which divine intervention is clearly demonstrated, emphasizing that God's power is not limited by human strategic limitations or natural terrain.
2. **God's Unchallengeable Power in Creation:** The description of Leviathan's "tightly joined" scales in [[Job 41:15]] highlights the creature's invincibility to human might. This use of mâtsûqim portrays a creation so perfectly and powerfully designed by God that it defies human control or destruction. It serves as a testament to God's immense wisdom and power in establishing the natural order, reminding humanity of its finite place before an infinite Creator.
3. **Metaphorical Potential of "Narrowness":** While not explicitly used metaphorically in these texts, the concept of "narrowness" inherent in mâtsûwq can resonate with broader biblical themes such as the "narrow gate" ([[Matthew 7:13-14]]) or "paths of righteousness" ([[Psalm 23:3]]). It can implicitly suggest that God's ways often involve challenging, constrained circumstances through which His glory is revealed, or that true strength lies in the compactness and integrity of divine design.
### Summary
מָצוּק (mâtsûwq, `{{H4690}}`) is a Hebrew noun derived from the root צוּק (tsûwq, `{{H6693}}`), signifying "narrowness," "constriction," or "tightness." This core meaning extends to describe physical entities that embody such characteristics, specifically "pillars," "crags," or "narrow passes," and also the state of being "tightly joined" or "compact." Its limited biblical occurrences are highly illustrative: in [[1 Samuel 14:4]], it denotes the strategic, narrow topographical features that set the stage for God's miraculous intervention through Jonathan; and in [[Job 41:15]], it describes the impenetrable, tightly knit scales of Leviathan, emphasizing the creature's formidable nature as a testament to God's creative power. Theologically, mâtsûwq underscores divine sovereignty, demonstrating God's ability to work through or even highlight human limitations and natural obstacles, ultimately revealing His unchallengeable might in both redemptive history and the created order.
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