from סָגַר; an inclosure, i.e. cage (for an animal); ward.
Transliteration:çûwgar
Pronunciation:soo-gar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H5474 (סוּגַר, *çûwgar*) is derived from the verbal root `{{H5462}}` (סָגַר, *sagar*), which fundamentally means "to shut," "to close," or "to imprison." Consequently, H5474 denotes a place of enclosure, confinement, or restriction. Its semantic range primarily encompasses an "inner chamber," a "ward," or by extension, a "cage" for an animal, emphasizing a space from which egress is difficult or impossible. The core concept is one of being shut in, isolated, or held captive.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H5474 (סוּגַר, *çûwgar*) appears in the Hebrew Bible in only two parallel passages: [[1 Kings 22:25]] and [[2 Chronicles 18:24]]. In both instances, it describes the place of confinement for the prophet Micaiah, who had delivered an unfavorable prophecy to King Ahab regarding his impending battle.
* In [[1 Kings 22:25]], after Micaiah prophesies Ahab's defeat, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah strikes him and asks, "How did the Spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak to you?" Micaiah responds, "Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber (*çûwgar*) to hide yourself."
* The parallel account in [[2 Chronicles 18:24]] repeats this verbatim.
In this context, the *çûwgar* is clearly a place of punitive imprisonment, a "ward" or "inner chamber" designed to isolate and silence the prophet. It is not literally an animal cage, but a human prison cell, indicating a severe restriction of freedom. The prophecy itself implies that Zedekiah, who struck Micaiah, will himself eventually seek a similar hidden, confined space out of fear or shame, thereby validating Micaiah's words. The usage here underscores the word's meaning as a place of involuntary, restrictive enclosure.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root `{{H5462}}` (סָגַר, *sagar*), which means "to shut," "to close," "to deliver up," or "to imprison." This root is foundational to understanding the noun H5474 and its implications of confinement. Other derivatives and related concepts include:
* **`{{H4929}}` (מַסְגֵּר, *masger*):** Also derived from `{{H5462}}`, this noun specifically means "prison" or "enclosure," often referring to captives or those confined, as seen in the context of the Babylonian exile ([[2 Kings 24:16]]). This reinforces the semantic field of imprisonment.
* **`{{H631}}` (אֶסּוּר, *ʾessur*):** This term denotes "bond" or "imprisonment," and is used to describe the state of being bound or confined, as with Joseph in prison ([[Genesis 39:20]]).
* **Prophetic Confinement:** The concept of prophets being confined for their messages is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative. Jeremiah, for instance, was imprisoned for his prophecies ([[Jeremiah 32:2]], [[Jeremiah 37:15]], [[Jeremiah 38:6]]). The *çûwgar* in Micaiah's story aligns with this broader experience of prophetic suffering and the cost of speaking God's truth to power.
### Theological Significance
The rare occurrence of H5474 in the Micaiah narrative carries profound theological weight. The "inner chamber" or "ward" represents more than a mere physical space; it symbolizes the world's hostile response to divine revelation when that revelation challenges human pride, power, and preferred delusions.
* **Rejection of Truth:** The command to place Micaiah in the *çûwgar* is an act of King Ahab's rejection of God's authentic word, preferring the flattering lies of his court prophets. It is an attempt to silence uncomfortable truth.
* **Prophetic Suffering:** The word highlights the suffering and persecution often faced by God's messengers. Prophets, by their very calling, frequently stand in opposition to prevailing societal norms and corrupt leadership, leading to their marginalization, confinement, or worse. The *çûwgar* is a testament to this inherent conflict.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** Paradoxically, even as Micaiah is confined, his prophecy remains potent and ultimately proves true. The *çûwgar* cannot contain or nullify the divine word. Indeed, Zedekiah's future retreat into such a space validates Micaiah's prophecy, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over human attempts to suppress His will. The confinement of the prophet does not mean the confinement of the prophetic word.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5474 (סוּגַר, *çûwgar*), derived from `{{H5462}}` ("to shut"), denotes an "enclosure," "cage," or "ward." Its limited but significant biblical appearances in [[1 Kings 22:25]] and [[2 Chronicles 18:24]] consistently refer to an "inner chamber" or "ward" used for the punitive confinement of the prophet Micaiah. This usage underscores the word's core meaning as a place of restricted freedom and isolation. Theologically, the *çûwgar* serves as a powerful symbol of the world's resistance to divine truth and the persecution faced by God's messengers. Despite human attempts to silence prophetic voices through confinement, the narrative of Micaiah demonstrates the enduring power and ultimate fulfillment of God's word, even when delivered from within the confines of a *çûwgar*.
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