Word Study for H4702 (מַצָּע)

matstsâʻ /mats-tsaw'/ Ask about this word

Meaninga couch

KJV usagebed.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of matstsâʻ — 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 matstsâʻ, represented by H4702, is defined as a couch or bed. It is a rare term in scripture, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse. Its singular use, however, serves as a powerful and memorable metaphor.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H4702 is in the prophetic book of Isaiah. The verse paints a vivid picture of inadequacy and discomfort: "For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it" Isaiah 28:20. In this context, the bed is not a place of rest but a symbol of a frustrating and insufficient situation, where comfort and security are unattainable.

Related Words & Concepts

The words used alongside H4702 in its only verse build upon this theme of inadequacy:

H7114 qâtsar (to be short): This word directly describes the condition of the bed H4702, defining it as "shorter" than what is needed and establishing the core problem in the metaphor Isaiah 28:20.
H4541 maççêkâh (a coverlet; covering): This word serves as a parallel object to the bed. Just as the bed is too short, the "covering" is too narrow, compounding the sense of futility and discomfort Isaiah 28:20.
H8311 sâraʻ (to stretch out self): This is the very action that the insufficient bed prevents. The inability "to stretch" oneself highlights the lack of relief and the cramped, constrained nature of the situation described Isaiah 28:20.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H4702 is derived entirely from its metaphorical use in Isaiah:

Symbol of False Security: The short bed represents the failing covenants and false refuges of those who trust in their own devices. It illustrates that their plans for safety are ultimately inadequate and will not provide rest or protection.
The Futility of Human Schemes: The imagery powerfully conveys the message that human-made solutions for spiritual problems are insufficient. The bed that cannot provide rest is like a treaty with death that cannot prevent judgment Isaiah 28:20.
A State of Spiritual Discomfort: The verse describes a condition of restlessness and distress. The inability to find comfort on the bed or with the covering reflects the spiritual state of those whose foundation is flawed and unreliable.

Summary

In summary, while H4702 is used only once, its meaning is amplified by its context. The word matstsâʻ is transformed from a simple piece of furniture into a potent symbol of insufficiency. Its appearance in Isaiah 28:20 serves as a timeless warning about the futility of placing one's trust in false security, illustrating that any refuge outside of divine provision will prove to be as useless as a bed too short for rest.

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.

מַּצָּע
מַדָּעֲ

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

1 verse, all in Isaiah — 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.