### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H4702 (מַצָּע, *matstsâʻ*) primarily denotes a "couch" or "bed." It is derived from the verbal root `{{H3331}}` (יַצַע, *yatsaʻ*), meaning "to spread out," "to lay out," or "to make a bed." This etymological connection highlights the function of a *matstsâʻ* as something spread or laid out for rest or reclining. While its most common usage refers to a physical sleeping or reclining surface, the root meaning of "spreading out" extends its semantic range in at least one specific cultic context. In [[Leviticus 15:17]], H4702 refers to a "discharge" or "seminal emission" that, when spread upon a garment or skin, renders it unclean. This particular usage, though distinct from the physical object, retains the core idea of something being "spread out." However, the dominant meaning across biblical occurrences remains "bed" or "couch," serving as a place of rest, sleep, or intimate interaction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H4702 appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the books of Leviticus, 2 Samuel, and Psalms. Its contextual usage reveals both its mundane and its religiously significant roles:
* **Provision and Necessity:** In [[2 Samuel 17:28]], during David's flight from Absalom, Barzillai and others provide David and his company with essential supplies, including "beds" (מַצָּעִים, *matstsâʻîm*). Here, the *matstsâʻ* signifies a basic necessity for rest and comfort, highlighting acts of hospitality and provision in a time of crisis.
* **Ritual Purity and Impurity:** The most prominent and nuanced use of *matstsâʻ* occurs in the Levitical purity laws.
* In [[Leviticus 15:17]], as noted above, H4702 refers to a "discharge" or "seminal emission" (often translated as "seed of copulation" or similar) that, if it comes upon a garment or skin, renders that item ritually unclean until evening. This specific usage underscores the meticulous nature of Israelite purity laws concerning bodily fluids and their defiling capacity.
* In [[Leviticus 15:26]], *matstsâʻ* refers to the "bed" of a woman with an irregular or prolonged discharge (similar to menstruation). Any bed (מַצָּעָהּ, *matstsâʻah*) on which she lies becomes ritually unclean, mirroring the impurity associated with her regular menstrual period. This highlights how impurity could transfer from person to object, necessitating specific purification rites.
* **Personal Space and Emotional Expression:** In the Psalms, *matstsâʻ* describes a personal and private space where deep emotions are expressed before God.
* In [[Psalm 6:6]], the psalmist laments, "I flood my bed (מַצָּעִי, *matstsâʻî*) with tears." The bed here is a solitary place of intense sorrow, where the individual pours out their soul in anguish and supplication to the Lord.
* In [[Psalm 132:3]], David (or the psalmist speaking in his spirit) makes a solemn vow concerning the building of a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant: "I will not enter my house or go up to my bed (מַצָּעִי, *matstsâʻî*)." The *matstsâʻ* represents a place of personal comfort and rest, which the psalmist vows to forgo until a sacred task is accomplished, emphasizing dedication and commitment to God's purposes.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root of H4702 is `{{H3331}}` (יַצַע, *yatsaʻ*), "to spread out," which directly informs the noun's meaning as something laid out. Other Hebrew words for "bed" or "couch" include:
* `{{H4904}}` (מִשְׁכָּב, *mishkav*): This is a more general term for a "bed" or "couch," often used in contexts of sleep, illness, or sexual intimacy. It appears far more frequently than H4702.
* `{{H6210}}` (עֶרֶשׂ, *eres*): Another term for "couch" or "bed," frequently appearing in poetic contexts and often associated with illness or a place of rest.
The conceptual field surrounding *matstsâʻ* includes:
* **Rest and Sleep:** The fundamental purpose of a bed.
* **Intimacy:** Though less explicit than `{{H4904}}`, a bed is inherently a place of private interaction.
* **Vulnerability and Suffering:** As seen in [[Psalm 6:6]], the bed can be a setting for deep personal anguish.
* **Ritual Purity:** The Levitical passages highlight its role in the system of ritual cleanness and uncleanness, particularly concerning bodily discharges.
* **Hospitality and Provision:** As demonstrated in [[2 Samuel 17:28]], the provision of beds signifies care for guests or those in need.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H4702 is multifaceted, touching upon themes of purity, human vulnerability, and divine provision.
Firstly, its usage in Leviticus underscores the pervasive nature of Israel's purity laws. The fact that a *matstsâʻ* could become ritually defiled by contact with certain bodily emissions emphasizes the radical separation God demanded between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean. This meticulous attention to purity in everyday objects served to cultivate a constant awareness of God's holiness and the need for Israel to reflect that holiness in all aspects of life, even in their private spaces. The transfer of impurity to the bed served as a tangible reminder of the spiritual defilement that could separate individuals from the community and from God's presence.
Secondly, the use of *matstsâʻ* in the Psalms reveals the deeply personal and often vulnerable nature of human existence before God. The bed, a place of solitude and rest, becomes a canvas for expressing profound sorrow and unwavering commitment. The psalmist's tears watering his *matstsâʻ* in [[Psalm 6:6]] portrays a raw, uninhibited lament that acknowledges God as the ultimate refuge in distress. Similarly, the vow to forgo the comfort of one's *matstsâʻ* in [[Psalm 132:3]] speaks to a profound dedication to God's purposes, prioritizing the divine over personal comfort. This highlights the bed as a witness to one's deepest spiritual struggles and aspirations.
Finally, the simple mention of *matstsâʻ* in [[2 Samuel 17:28]] subtly points to God's providence through human agents. The provision of beds for David's weary company illustrates the practical outworking of God's care, often mediated through the kindness and generosity of others. It reminds us that even basic human needs are met within the larger framework of God's sustaining grace.
### Summary
H4702 (מַצָּע, *matstsâʻ*) primarily denotes a "couch" or "bed," deriving its meaning from the root "to spread out." While its core meaning is a physical resting place, it also encompasses the idea of a "discharge" or "emission" in specific ritual contexts due to the root's broader semantic range. Biblically, *matstsâʻ* appears as a practical item of provision in [[2 Samuel 17:28]], a crucial element in the ritual purity laws of [[Leviticus 15:17]] and [[Leviticus 15:26]], and a private space for profound lament and solemn vows in [[Psalm 6:6]] and [[Psalm 132:3]]. Theologically, the word underscores the meticulous nature of Israelite purity, the depth of human vulnerability and devotion before God, and the practical outworking of divine provision. It serves as a reminder that even common household items can bear significant spiritual weight within the biblical narrative, reflecting the pervasive nature of God's holiness and His engagement with every aspect of human life.
TRV