### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word massôwr (מַשּׂוֹר - `{{H4883}}`) is derived from an unused root that conveys the action of "rasping" or "sawing." Its primary and singular meaning is "saw," referring to a tool equipped with a toothed blade used for cutting through materials, most commonly wood. Unlike many biblical terms, massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) possesses a very narrow semantic range, consistently denoting this specific physical implement without significant metaphorical or extended meanings. It is a straightforward term for a common ancient tool.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances occurring in highly debated and challenging passages concerning King David's treatment of the Ammonites after their defeat.
1. **[[2 Samuel 12:31]]**: "And he brought forth the people who were in it and put them under saws, and under iron picks, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick kiln." Here, the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) is listed among other implements of labor or punishment. The phrase "put them under saws" (וַיָּשֶׂם בַּמְּגֵרָה) has been interpreted in various ways by scholars. Some suggest it refers to forced labor, compelling the Ammonites to work with these tools, perhaps even manufacturing them or engaging in arduous tasks like quarrying or logging. Others understand it as a more severe form of punishment or execution, implying that the people were literally cut or tortured with saws, a gruesome practice attested in some ancient Near Eastern contexts. The immediate context describes a harsh subjugation.
2. **[[1 Chronicles 20:3]]**: "And he brought out the people who were in it and cut them with saws, and with iron picks, and with axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon." This parallel account uses the verbal form "cut them with saws" (וַיְנַסֵּר בַּמְּגֵרָה), explicitly linking the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) to the act of sawing. The use of the preposition "with" (בְּ) strongly suggests the saw as an instrument of action. While some still argue for forced labor, the explicit verb "cut" (נָסַר) lends significant weight to the interpretation of a violent, possibly dismembering, application of the tool. In both passages, the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) is presented alongside other instruments of intense physical exertion or extreme cruelty, underscoring the severity of the Ammonites' fate.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related concept to massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) is the action of "sawing." While the root of massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) is unused verbally, the verb "to saw" is represented by *nāsar* (נָסַר), as seen in [[1 Chronicles 20:3]] (וַיְנַסֵּר - *wayyĕnassēr*). This verbal form directly describes the function of the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`).
Other tools mentioned alongside massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) in the biblical texts include:
* magrēphāh (מַגְרֵפָה - `{{H4042}}`), often translated as "iron picks" or "harrows," implements used for breaking up ground or raking.
* garzen (גַּרְזֶן - `{{H1631}}`), "axe," a tool for chopping wood.
These associated terms highlight the context of heavy manual labor, construction, or the brutal implements of warfare and punishment in the ancient world. The broader concepts of "cutting," "dividing," and "subjugation" are also closely related to the use of the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) in these narratives.
### Theological Significance
As a simple tool, massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) holds no inherent theological meaning. However, its specific appearances in the biblical narrative invite profound theological reflection on challenging aspects of divine judgment, human warfare, and the nature of justice in ancient Israel.
The passages in [[2 Samuel 12:31]] and [[1 Chronicles 20:3]] are among the most difficult in the Old Testament, raising questions about the severity of David's actions and, by extension, the portrayal of God's people in war.
* If interpreted as forced labor, the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) symbolizes the harsh reality of subjugation and the consequences faced by nations that opposed Israel. It speaks to the arduous nature of servitude and the physical toll exacted upon conquered peoples, reflecting the Old Testament's depiction of the realities of conflict and the exercise of power.
* If interpreted as an instrument of execution or torture, the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) becomes a stark and disturbing symbol of extreme violence and retribution. This interpretation forces readers to confront the depths of human cruelty and the profound suffering inflicted during ancient warfare. The text records these events without explicit condemnation or commendation, prompting theological engagement with themes of divine justice, the complexities of leadership, and the often-brutal historical realities that intersect with biblical narrative.
Ultimately, the presence of the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) in these contexts serves as a grim reminder of the physical realities of ancient conflict and the severe consequences that could befall those who opposed God's chosen people, underscoring themes of conquest, judgment, and the often-unflinching portrayal of human history in the Bible.
### Summary
The Hebrew word massôwr (מַשּׂוֹר - `{{H4883}}`) strictly denotes a "saw," a tool for cutting. Its two sole occurrences in the biblical text, [[2 Samuel 12:31]] and [[1 Chronicles 20:3]], are found within the controversial account of King David's treatment of the Ammonites. In these passages, the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) is listed alongside other implements, signifying either arduous forced labor or, more grimly, a brutal method of execution, reinforced by the parallel verb "to saw" (נָסַר). Theologically, the massôwr (`{{H4883}}`) serves as a potent symbol within a difficult narrative, prompting reflection on themes of judgment, warfare, and the severe consequences of human conflict, thereby highlighting the often-harsh realities depicted in the Old Testament.
TRV