from קֵבָה; something tight, i.e. (figuratively) trouble; distress, pain, strait.
Transliteration:mêtsar
Pronunciation:may-tsar'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מֵצַר (mêtsar), Strong's number `{{H4712}}`, derives from a root conveying the idea of tightness, narrowness, or constriction. While the provided Strong's entry notes "from קֵבָה," which is unusual, the semantic range strongly aligns with the more common root צרר (tsarar), meaning "to bind, tie up, be narrow, be in distress" (cf. `{{H6862}}`).
Literally, מֵצַר refers to a "tight place," a "strait," or a "narrow confinement." This physical imagery is consistently extended figuratively to describe states of severe emotional, spiritual, or existential difficulty. Its core meaning encompasses:
* **Distress:** A state of great anxiety or suffering.
* **Trouble:** Difficulties or problems that cause worry or suffering.
* **Pain:** Intense physical or mental suffering.
* **Strait:** A situation characterized by a specified difficulty or lack of something, often implying being in a difficult or restrictive position.
Thus, מֵצַר conveys the experience of being hemmed in, pressed upon, or having no room to maneuver, whether physically or metaphorically.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word מֵצַר (mêtsar) appears in significant contexts within the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the poetic and wisdom literature, underscoring profound human experiences of suffering and divine deliverance.
* **[[Lamentations 1:3]]**: "Judah has gone into captivity, under affliction and hard servitude; She dwells among the nations, She finds no rest; All her persecutors overtake her in the midst of her distress (מֵצַר)." Here, מֵצַר vividly portrays the overwhelming suffering and confinement of the nation of Judah in exile. It speaks to a state of being cornered and oppressed, with no apparent escape from their enemies and the consequences of their sin. The word emphasizes the collective anguish and the feeling of being trapped by their circumstances.
* **[[Psalm 116:3]]**: "The pangs of death surrounded me, And the pains of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble (מֵצַר) and sorrow." In this deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, the psalmist recounts a desperate experience on the brink of death. The word מֵצַר here describes the overwhelming internal and external pressures that threatened his life, conveying a sense of being constricted by mortal danger and the very gates of the underworld. It is a cry from the depths of personal anguish.
* **[[Psalm 118:5]]**: "I called on the LORD in my distress (מֵצַר); The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place." This verse provides a powerful and hopeful counterpoint to the previous occurrences. The psalmist, having experienced the intense constriction of מֵצַר, cries out to God. The divine response is not merely relief but a radical transformation of circumstance: being brought into a "broad place" (מֶרְחָב, merḥāb, `{{H7338}}`). This highlights God's power to deliver from seemingly inescapable predicaments, transforming confinement into spaciousness, and anguish into relief.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of מֵצַר (mêtsar) is rich with words describing various forms of affliction and the contrasting experience of liberation.
* **Primary Root:** The most direct linguistic connection is to the verb צרר (tsarar, `{{H6862}}`), meaning "to bind, tie up, be narrow, be in distress." This verb perfectly encapsulates the core idea of constriction and affliction inherent in מֵצַר.
* **Related Nouns:**
* צַר (tsar, `{{H6869}}`): Can function as an adjective meaning "narrow, strait," or a noun meaning "adversary, oppressor." Both senses are closely related to the experience of מֵצַר, as adversaries often create distress, and distress itself is a "narrow place."
* צָרָה (tsarah, `{{H6865}}`): A very common and closely related noun meaning "distress, trouble, anguish, tribulation." It is semantically very close to מֵצַר, often used interchangeably to describe severe difficulty.
* **Antonyms/Contrasts:**
* מֶרְחָב (merḥāb, `{{H7338}}`): "Broad place, spaciousness, liberty." This word stands in direct antithesis to מֵצַר, as seen in [[Psalm 118:5]], emphasizing the deliverance from constriction into freedom.
* רָחַב (raḥab, `{{H7342}}`): The verb "to be wide, broad, spacious."
* **Concepts:** Confinement, oppression, tribulation, anguish, siege, affliction, suffering, deliverance, spaciousness, freedom.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מֵצַר (mêtsar) is profound, illustrating both the reality of human suffering and the faithfulness of God in deliverance.
* **The Human Condition of Affliction:** מֵצַר vividly portrays the depth of human suffering, particularly when one feels trapped, cornered, or without options. It speaks to the existential reality of being "in a strait," a condition that can arise from external oppression, personal sin, or the general fallenness of the world. It is a raw expression of anguish that resonates with the experience of all humanity.
* **A Catalyst for Divine Intervention:** Crucially, the biblical use of מֵצַר often serves as the *backdrop* for God's intervention. The distress is not an end in itself but the very context in which God's power to deliver is most clearly demonstrated. As seen in [[Psalm 118:5]], the "narrow place" becomes the stage upon which God acts to bring His people into a "broad place." This emphasizes God's sovereign ability to bring relief and spaciousness even from the most constricting circumstances, showcasing His compassion and strength.
* **Prayer and Trust in Tribulation:** The psalmist's cry "I called on the LORD in my distress" (מֵצַר) highlights the role of prayer and trust during times of extreme difficulty. It teaches that even when one feels utterly confined and without hope, turning to God is the pathway to liberation. The experience of מֵצַר can, paradoxically, deepen faith by forcing absolute reliance on divine power.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Suffering:** While God does not always remove suffering immediately, the presence of מֵצַר in the biblical narrative affirms that God is intimately aware of His people's plight and is capable of providing deliverance, often in ways that transcend human expectation. It points to a theology where even the deepest anguish can be transformed by divine grace.
### Summary
מֵצַר (mêtsar), `{{H4712}}`, describes a "tight" or "narrow place," extending figuratively to profound "distress," "trouble," or "pain." It signifies a condition of severe constriction, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, where one feels hemmed in with no room for escape. Biblical occurrences, notably in [[Lamentations 1:3]] and [[Psalm 116:3]], depict the overwhelming anguish of exile and mortal threat. A key theological insight emerges from [[Psalm 118:5]], where calling upon the Lord *in* מֵצַר results in divine deliverance into a "broad place" (`{{H7338}}`), symbolizing freedom and relief. Related to the root `{{H6862}}` (tsarar), "to be narrow, distressed," מֵצַר underscores the human experience of tribulation. The word thus serves as a powerful descriptor of human suffering and, more importantly, as a testament to God's sovereign power to deliver His people from their deepest anguish and confinement into spaciousness and peace.
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