the same as מִצְעָר; Mitsar, a peak of Lebanon; Mizar.
Transliteration:Mitsʻâr
Pronunciation:mits-awr'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H4706}}` (Mitsʻâr) functions exclusively as a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location. Its base definition identifies it as "a peak of Lebanon," suggesting a mountainous elevation. While the definition notes it is "the same as מִצְעָר," this points to a lexical connection with `{{H6810}}` (tsa'ar), which carries the core meaning of "small," "little," or "insignificant." Therefore, while `{{H4706}}` primarily denotes a particular place, its etymological root may subtly imply a "small peak" or a "peak of insignificance" in contrast to more prominent mountains. However, within the biblical text, its primary semantic function is locative, marking a specific point in the landscape.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H4706}}` occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in [[Psalm 42:6]]. In this deeply poignant psalm of lament and longing, the psalmist expresses a soul cast down and in turmoil, yearning for the living God. The geographical references in [[Psalm 42:6]] serve to establish the psalmist's physical and spiritual distance from the sanctuary in Jerusalem: "O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar."
The mention of "Mount Mizar" alongside the prominent "land of Jordan and of Hermon" places the psalmist in the northern reaches of the promised land, far from Zion. Hermon is a majestic and towering mountain, yet Mizar, by its name's potential etymology, might suggest a comparatively lesser or more humble peak. This juxtaposition underscores the psalmist's sense of exile and spiritual lowliness. From this distant and perhaps insignificant vantage point, the psalmist nevertheless remembers and cries out to God, emphasizing that even from the periphery, the heart can intensely long for the divine presence. The location signifies a place of distress and spiritual desolation from which the psalmist's hope is still directed towards God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic connection for `{{H4706}}` is its root relationship with `{{H6810}}` (tsa'ar), meaning "small," "little," or "insignificant." This connection, while not explicitly stated in the biblical text for `{{H4706}}`, provides a potential layer of meaning to the geographical name. If Mizar indeed means "small peak," it contrasts sharply with the grandeur of Hermon, highlighting the psalmist's humbled state.
Conceptually, `{{H4706}}` is related to other geographical markers in the Psalms that define the psalmist's physical and spiritual location, such as Mount Zion (`{{H6726}}`) as the dwelling place of God, or the "land of the Jordan" which often signifies a boundary or place of transition. The theme of exile and longing for God's presence, prominent in [[Psalm 42]], connects `{{H4706}}` to broader biblical concepts of spiritual pilgrimage, distress, and the universal reach of God's attentiveness to His people, no matter their location.
### Theological Significance
The singular mention of Mount Mizar in [[Psalm 42:6]] carries significant theological weight within the context of the psalm. It is not merely a geographical marker but a symbol of the psalmist's profound spiritual state. From this remote and perhaps "small" mountain, the psalmist's soul is "cast down," yet it is precisely from this depth of despair and distance that the memory and longing for God intensify.
Theologically, Mizar represents the periphery, the place of spiritual lowliness or exile from which a fervent cry for God can still ascend. It illustrates that God's presence is not confined to sacred spaces like Zion, nor is His hearing limited by the physical or spiritual distance of His people. The psalmist's remembrance of God from Mizar underscores the enduring nature of faith even in desolation. It speaks to the universal accessibility of God, who hears the cries of His children from "deep calls to deep" ([[Psalm 42:7]]), whether from the majestic heights of Hermon or the more humble peak of Mizar. This verse profoundly teaches that true worship and yearning for God transcend geographical boundaries and personal circumstances, emerging even from places of perceived insignificance.
### Summary
`{{H4706}}` (Mitsʻâr) is a proper noun, identifying a specific "peak of Lebanon." Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Psalm 42:6]], where it serves as a geographical marker for the psalmist's location in exile, far from the sanctuary in Jerusalem. While its name potentially derives from a root meaning "small" or "insignificant," its primary function in the text is to establish the psalmist's physical and spiritual distance and distress. Theologically, Mount Mizar symbolizes the remote, perhaps humble, place from which the psalmist's soul, though cast down, intensely remembers and longs for God. It powerfully conveys the truth that God's presence is sought and found even from the most distant and seemingly insignificant points, underscoring the universal nature of divine accessibility and the depth of human spiritual yearning.
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