or מִשְׁטַח; from שָׁטַח; a spreading-place; (to) spread (forth, -ing, upon).
Transliteration:mishṭôwach
Pronunciation:mish-to'-akh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מִשְׁטוֹחַ (mishtoach), or its variant מִשְׁטַח (mishtach), derives from the verbal root שָׁטַח (shatach - `{{H7849}}`), meaning "to spread out," "to stretch out," or "to lay flat." As a noun, מִשְׁטוֹחַ denotes a "spreading-place" or an area designated for the act of spreading. Its semantic range is quite specific, pointing to a flat expanse or a surface upon which something is laid out, often with the purpose of drying or display. The term implies a functional space, rather than a place of habitation or grandeur.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word מִשְׁטוֹחַ appears exclusively twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the prophetic pronouncements against the city of Tyre in the book of Ezekiel. These occurrences are found in [[Ezekiel 26:5]] and [[Ezekiel 26:14]].
In [[Ezekiel 26:5]], the Lord declares, "She shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea." This is a direct prophecy regarding the future state of Tyre. The once mighty and opulent city, renowned for its maritime trade and fortifications, is foretold to become nothing more than a desolate rock, suitable only for the humble activity of fishermen drying their nets.
This imagery is powerfully reinforced in [[Ezekiel 26:14]], which states, "And I will make you a bare rock; you shall be a place for the spreading of nets, and you shall never be rebuilt, for I the LORD have spoken, declares the Lord GOD." The repetition underscores the certainty and finality of God's judgment. The transformation of a global commercial hub into a mere "spreading-place for nets" highlights a profound reversal of fortune, a stripping away of all former glory and power, leaving behind only a utilitarian space of utter insignificance in the eyes of the world. The context is one of divine judgment against a proud and self-sufficient city.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb שָׁטַח (shatach - `{{H7849}}`), which means "to spread out," "to prostrate oneself," or "to flatten." This root is used in various contexts, such as spreading out a garment ([[Deuteronomy 22:17]]), prostrating oneself in worship or submission ([[2 Samuel 15:32]]), or spreading out hands in prayer ([[Exodus 9:29]]). The noun מִשְׁטוֹחַ thus describes the *place* or *result* of such spreading.
Other related concepts and words that convey the idea of spreading or laying out include:
* פָּרַשׂ (paras - `{{H6566}}`): To spread out, stretch out (e.g., hands in prayer, wings).
* יָצַע (yatsa - `{{H3331}}`): To spread or lay out (e.g., a bed, a covering).
* מַצָּע (matsa - `{{H4765}}`): A bed, couch, or something spread out.
The concept of a "spreading-place" in Ezekiel is intrinsically linked to themes of desolation, judgment, and the reduction of a grand entity to a state of humble utility.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of מִשְׁטוֹחַ in the prophetic book of Ezekiel carries profound theological significance. It serves as a stark symbol of divine judgment and the transience of worldly power and wealth. Tyre, a city that epitomized human achievement, commercial prowess, and self-sufficiency, is prophesied to be reduced to a mere "spreading-place for nets." This imagery conveys:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The Lord God demonstrates His absolute authority over nations and their destinies. Tyre's downfall is not a random event but a precise fulfillment of God's spoken word, highlighting His justice against pride and idolatry (implied by Tyre's self-reliance and commercialism).
2. **Humiliation and Desolation:** From a city of palaces and vast riches, Tyre becomes a bare rock, a site for the most mundane and humble of activities. This signifies complete humiliation and desolation, a reversal of status from glory to ignominy.
3. **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The historical fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy regarding Tyre's destruction and its subsequent state as a desolate area for fishermen's nets underscores the reliability and power of God's prophetic word.
4. **The Vanity of Earthly Glory:** The fate of Tyre serves as a powerful object lesson on the futility of trusting in earthly achievements, wealth, and fortifications. All human endeavors, no matter how grand, are ultimately subject to God's will and can be brought to nothing. The "spreading-place for nets" is a tangible symbol of this ultimate vulnerability.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מִשְׁטוֹחַ (mishtoach - `{{H4894}}`) refers to a "spreading-place," derived from the verb שָׁטַח (shatach - `{{H7849}}`) meaning "to spread out." Its two occurrences in the Bible, both in [[Ezekiel 26:5]] and [[Ezekiel 26:14]], are singularly focused on the prophetic judgment against the city of Tyre. In these passages, מִשְׁטוֹחַ vividly depicts Tyre's complete desolation and reduction from a mighty commercial empire to a mere bare rock suitable only for the humble purpose of spreading fishermen's nets. Theologically, it powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty, the certainty of His judgment against human pride, and the ultimate transience of all earthly glory in the face of divine decree.
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