The Hebrew word mᵉthôm, represented by H4974, refers to soundness or wholesomeness. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. The term primarily describes a state of physical integrity and health, though one occurrence is understood as "men" or "completely."
In the biblical narrative, H4974 is used to illustrate a state of comprehensive affliction or its absence. The prophet Isaiah uses it to depict a nation utterly corrupted, declaring that "From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it" Isaiah 1:6. Similarly, the Psalmist David laments having "no soundness in my flesh" on two occasions, linking his condition directly to God's anger H2195 and his personal sin H2403 (Psalms 38:3, Psalms 38:7). A different application appears in Judges, where it describes the totality of a massacre, encompassing "the men of every city" Judges 20:48.
Several related words provide a vivid context for the meaning of soundness:
- H1320 bâsâr (flesh): The term mᵉthôm is consistently used to describe a condition within the flesh, highlighting its physical nature (Psalms 38:3, Psalms 38:7).
- H6482 petsaʻ (a wound): The absence of soundness is graphically described as a body covered in wounds H6482 and bruises H2250 Isaiah 1:6.
- H2195 zaʻam (fury, indignation): The loss of soundness is explicitly linked to divine anger H2195 as a consequence of sin Psalms 38:3.
- H2280 châbash (to bind up, healer): The state of being without soundness is one where wounds are not bound up H2280, indicating that healing and restoration are the antithesis of this condition Isaiah 1:6.
The concept of H4974 carries significant theological weight, particularly in its depiction of physical and spiritual states.
- A Physical Manifestation of Sin: The psalmist directly connects his lack of soundness to his own sin H2403 and the resulting anger H2195 of God Psalms 38:3. This establishes a clear biblical theme where physical affliction can be a direct consequence of spiritual failing.
- A Metaphor for National Decay: In Isaiah, the image of a body with no soundness from head to toe is a powerful metaphor for the complete moral and spiritual corruption of the nation Isaiah 1:6. The physical description of untreated wounds reflects a society that has not addressed its sins.
- The Totality of Judgment: While translated differently, the use of H4974 in Judges 20:48 to mean the "men" of the city points to a theme of comprehensive and complete judgment, where nothing is spared.
In summary, H4974 mᵉthôm conveys a powerful concept of soundness and wholeness. While appearing only four times, its usage moves beyond a simple description of physical health. It serves as a potent illustration of the connection between the physical body and the spiritual state, linking a lack of soundness to sin and divine judgment. Whether describing a diseased individual or a morally corrupt nation, mᵉthôm defines a state of comprehensive brokenness, highlighting the biblical principle that true wholeness is inseparable from spiritual integrity.
TRV