from שָׁבַר; the orifice of the womb (from which the fetus breaks forth); birth, breaking forth.
Transliteration:mishbêr
Pronunciation:mish-bare'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word mishbêr (`{{H4866}}`) is derived from the root shābar (`{{H7665}}`), which fundamentally means "to break," "to shatter," or "to burst forth." Consequently, mishbêr signifies a "breaking forth" or, more specifically, "the place of breaking forth." Its most vivid and primary application refers to the "orifice of the womb" from which a fetus emerges during childbirth. This conveys the critical moment of delivery, a point of intense pressure and transition from confinement to new life. By extension, it can refer to the act of "birth" itself or a metaphorical "breaking forth" from a state of distress, often implying a crisis point that must be overcome for a significant outcome to materialize.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term mishbêr (`{{H4866}}`) appears in a limited number of biblical passages, predominantly within prophetic and poetic contexts, where it consistently evokes the powerful imagery of birth pangs and the pivotal moment of delivery.
* In [[2 Kings 19:3]] and its parallel in [[Isaiah 37:3]], the phrase "children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them" (כִּי־בָאוּ בָנִים עַד־מַשְׁבֵּר וְכֹחַ אַיִן לְלֵדָה) is employed metaphorically. This describes a dire national crisis, specifically Jerusalem's siege by Assyria, where the nation is likened to a woman in labor who has reached the crucial stage of delivery but lacks the strength to bring forth new life. This signifies utter despair, helplessness, and the imminent threat of destruction without divine intervention, highlighting mishbêr as a threshold of existential crisis.
* Similarly, in [[Hosea 13:13]], the Lord laments Ephraim's spiritual folly: "The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son; for at the proper time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb" (חֶבְלֵי יוֹלֵדָה יָבֹאוּ לוֹ הוּא בֵן לֹא חָכָם כִּי עֵת לֹא יַעֲמֹד בְּמִשְׁבַּר בָּנִים). Here, mishbêr again denotes the "opening of the womb" or the "place of breaking forth." The imagery conveys Ephraim's spiritual immaturity and failure to seize the divinely appointed moment of crisis and discipline as an opportunity for repentance and new life, resulting instead in a tragic spiritual stillbirth or unfulfilled potential.
Across these contexts, mishbêr consistently points to a critical, often painful, threshold that demands a "breaking forth" for the emergence of something new, whether it be national survival or spiritual renewal. The failure to "break forth" signifies a profound tragedy.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root shābar (`{{H7665}}`):** The verbal root from which mishbêr derives, shābar signifies the act of breaking, shattering, or bursting. This etymological connection underscores the forceful, often violent, and decisive nature inherent in the concept of mishbêr—the breaking of a barrier for emergence.
* **ḥebel (`{{H2256}}`):** This word is often translated as "cord" or "pain," specifically "birth pangs" or "travail." It frequently appears in conjunction with mishbêr (e.g., [[Hosea 13:13]]) to emphasize the intense suffering, struggle, and urgency associated with the process of childbirth and, by extension, periods of national or personal crisis.
* **yālad (`{{H3205}}`):** The verb "to bear," "to give birth." This verb represents the successful outcome of the process described by mishbêr. The absence of yālad when mishbêr is present (as in [[2 Kings 19:3]]) highlights the tragedy of unfulfilled birth and the failure to bring forth new life.
* **Metaphors of Birth and Travail:** The Hebrew Bible extensively uses the imagery of childbirth to describe periods of intense suffering, divine judgment, or the dawning of a new era. Mishbêr is a pivotal component of this metaphorical language, precisely pinpointing the moment of crisis and potential breakthrough.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of mishbêr (`{{H4866}}`) lies in its potent portrayal of a moment of ultimate crisis and the indispensable need for divine intervention. When "children come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver," it vividly depicts a humanly insurmountable obstacle. This imagery serves to underscore God's absolute sovereignty and the complete dependence of His people upon Him. Only God can provide the strength for the "breaking forth" when all human efforts fail.
It highlights the concept of **divine timing and kairos moments**. In [[Hosea 13:13]], Ephraim's failure to "present himself at the opening of the womb" represents a failure to recognize and respond appropriately to God's opportune moment for repentance and transformation. This suggests that there are critical junctures in spiritual and national life where a decisive "breaking forth" is required, and delay or resistance can lead to tragic, unfulfilled potential.
The suffering implied by mishbêr (birth pangs) is often presented as a **prelude to new life or divine action**. While it denotes a painful crisis, it inherently carries the potential for a new beginning, a "birth" of deliverance or restoration, provided the necessary conditions are met (e.g., repentance, divine intervention). This resonates with the broader biblical theme of suffering as a refining fire or a necessary path toward greater glory and ultimate redemption.
In essence, mishbêr serves as a profound theological metaphor for **liminality and the absolute necessity of divine grace** in moments of profound human weakness and existential threat, where only God can bring forth life from the precipice of despair.
### Summary
Mishbêr (`{{H4866}}`) is a powerful Hebrew term derived from the root "to break," primarily denoting the "orifice of the womb" or the critical "point of breaking forth" in childbirth. Its biblical occurrences consistently deploy this vivid imagery to describe moments of extreme national or personal crisis, where a significant "birth" or emergence is imminent but human strength is utterly insufficient for delivery. This word, often paired with "birth pangs," underscores the intense suffering, urgency, and desperate need for divine intervention at such critical junctures. Theologically, mishbêr powerfully illustrates human helplessness in the face of overwhelming adversity, emphasizing God's sovereign power to bring forth new life or deliverance from seemingly impossible situations. It also serves as a solemn warning against failing to seize divine opportunities for transformation, highlighting the tragic consequences of spiritual stagnation at the very threshold of breakthrough.
TRV