### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mashʼâb**, represented by `{{H4857}}`, refers to a **place of drawing water** or a trough. It is a very specific term, appearing only **1 time** in **1 verse** in the entire Bible. Its singular use highlights a particular moment and location of significance, specifically a place where cattle would drink.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H4857}}` is in the Song of Deborah and Barak [[Judges 5:11]]. In this context, the **places of drawing water** are depicted as locations that were previously dangerous, filled with the **noise** `{{H6963}}` of **archers** `{{H2686}}`. Following God's victory, these same places become sites of celebration and safety, where the people of **Israel** `{{H3478}}` can **rehearse** `{{H8567}}` the **righteous acts** `{{H6666}}` of the **LORD** `{{H3068}}`.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its context clarify its significance:
* `{{H2686}}` **châtsats** (archer): This word describes the source of the threat at the watering places, representing the conflict and danger that prevented safe access to essential resources for the people [[Judges 5:11]].
* `{{H8567}}` **tânâh** (rehearse): This primitive root means to celebrate or commemorate. In contrast to the previous danger, the **people** `{{H5971}}` now gather at the watering places to **rehearse** the Lord's deliverance [[Judges 5:11]].
* `{{H6666}}` **tsᵉdâqâh** (rightness): This is the subject of the people's rehearsal. They are proclaiming the Lord's **rightness** or **righteous acts**, connecting the physical deliverance at the watering place to God's just character [[Judges 5:11]].
* `{{H8179}}` **shaʻar** (gate): The verse concludes that the people of the LORD could once again **go down** `{{H3381}}` to the **gates**, indicating that the safety of essential areas like watering holes allowed for the restoration of normal civic life [[Judges 5:11]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4857}}` is seen entirely through its unique context in [[Judges 5:11]].
* **Divine Deliverance in Daily Life:** The use of `{{H4857}}` underscores that God's intervention extends to the most fundamental aspects of life, like securing access to water. Deliverance is not just a battlefield concept but a restoration of daily security.
* **From Peril to Praise:** The "places of drawing water" become a symbolic location where fear is replaced with worship. The threat of **archers** `{{H2686}}` gives way to the rehearsal of God's **righteous acts** `{{H6666}}`, showing that testimony is the proper response to salvation.
* **Restoration of Community:** By making the watering places safe, the **people** `{{H5971}}` of the **LORD** `{{H3068}}` are able to "go down to the **gates**" `{{H8179}}`, signifying a return to orderly community life that was previously disrupted by conflict.
### Summary
In summary, while **mashʼâb** `{{H4857}}` has a simple definition as a **place of drawing water**, its single biblical use in [[Judges 5:11]] gives it profound significance. It marks a physical location transformed by God's power from a place of deadly peril into a sanctuary for worship and a symbol of restored community life. The word captures a pivotal moment where divine deliverance directly impacts the everyday existence of God's people.
TRV