from שָׁבַר; a breaker (of the sea); billow, wave.
Transliteration:mishbâr
Pronunciation:mish-bawr'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4867}}` (מִשְׁבָּר, *mishbâr*) denotes a "breaker (of the sea)," a "billow," or a "wave." Its etymology is deeply rooted in the verb `{{H7665}}` (שָׁבַר, *shābar*), which signifies "to break," "to shatter," or "to burst." This etymological connection is crucial, as it imbues `{{H4867}}` with the sense of something that breaks with force, specifically the powerful, often crashing motion of ocean waves. Unlike a gentle ripple, a *mishbâr* is a forceful, impactful wave, one that "breaks" upon a shore, a vessel, or a person. The term thus conveys an inherent sense of power, often overwhelming, and at times, destructive potential.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurrences of `{{H4867}}` in the Hebrew Bible are relatively few but profoundly significant, consistently employed in contexts that convey overwhelming distress or divine judgment.
One prominent instance is found in [[Psalm 42:7]]: "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves (מִשְׁבָּרֶיךָ) and your billows (גַּלֶּיךָ) have gone over me." Here, `{{H4867}}` is paired with `{{H1530}}` (*gal*), another word for wave or billow, to intensify the imagery of being submerged and overwhelmed by sorrow or divine discipline. The psalmist uses this powerful metaphor to describe a soul in profound despair, feeling as though the very forces of creation, orchestrated by God, are engulfing him.
A parallel usage appears in [[Jonah 2:3]], as Jonah recounts his experience within the great fish: "For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves (מִשְׁבָּרֶיךָ) and your billows (גַּלֶּיךָ) passed over me." In this passage, the imagery is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, Jonah was submerged by the sea's powerful forces. Metaphorically, these "waves and billows" represent the overwhelming judgment of God upon him for his disobedience. The repetition of "your waves" (מִשְׁבָּרֶיךָ) underscores the divine agency behind the overwhelming circumstances.
In both contexts, `{{H4867}}` signifies not merely natural phenomena but instruments of divine will, serving to bring individuals to a state of profound humility, repentance, or desperate reliance on God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic relation of `{{H4867}}` is to its root verb, `{{H7665}}` (שָׁבַר, *shābar*), "to break" or "to shatter." This connection highlights the forceful, impactful nature of the wave. Other related terms for water or aquatic phenomena include:
* `{{H1530}}` (גַּל, *gal*): "wave," "billow," often paired with `{{H4867}}` to create a more comprehensive image of overwhelming waters, as seen in Psalms and Jonah.
* `{{H4325}}` (מַיִם, *mayim*): The generic word for "water," providing the broader context for *mishbâr*.
* Concepts of "deep" (`{{H8415}}`, *tehom*), "flood" (`{{H4289}}`, *mishtepet*), and "sea" (`{{H3220}}`, *yam*) are often associated with *mishbâr* in biblical poetry, contributing to the imagery of chaos, danger, and the vastness of divine power. The biblical worldview often portrays the sea as a realm of untamed forces, over which only God has ultimate control.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4867}}` lies primarily in its portrayal as an instrument of divine action, particularly in contexts of judgment, discipline, or profound testing. The repeated phrase "Your waves" in [[Psalm 42:7]] and [[Jonah 2:3]] is crucial. It transforms a natural phenomenon into a direct manifestation of God's sovereignty and active involvement in human affairs.
This word underscores:
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Chaos:** Even the most powerful and seemingly chaotic forces of nature, like breaking waves, are under God's ultimate control. He is the one who "rules the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them" ([[Psalm 89:9]]).
2. **Instruments of Discipline and Refinement:** For the psalmist and Jonah, the "waves and billows" are not random misfortunes but divinely appointed trials designed to lead to deeper dependence, repentance, or a renewed relationship with God. They represent the overwhelming nature of God's hand upon an individual, intended to humble and purify.
3. **Human Vulnerability:** The imagery of being submerged by *mishbâr* powerfully conveys human helplessness and fragility in the face of overwhelming circumstances, whether natural or divinely ordained. It prompts a cry for deliverance and highlights the need for divine rescue.
4. **The Depths of Suffering:** The word vividly communicates the intensity and engulfing nature of spiritual or emotional distress, likening it to being drowned by relentless, breaking waves.
### Summary
`{{H4867}}` (מִשְׁבָּר, *mishbâr*) is a powerful Hebrew term derived from the root "to break," signifying a "breaker" or "billow" of the sea. Though appearing infrequently, its usage is highly impactful, consistently depicting overwhelming, forceful waves. In biblical contexts like [[Psalm 42:7]] and [[Jonah 2:3]], *mishbâr* is used metaphorically to describe profound distress or divine judgment, often paired with `{{H1530}}` (*gal*) to intensify the imagery. Theologically, it highlights God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, even chaotic forces, using them as instruments for discipline, refinement, and to evoke human dependence. It powerfully conveys the depth of human vulnerability when confronted by the mighty hand of God.
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