from עָצָר; closure; also constraint; [idiom] barren, oppression, [idiom] prison.
Transliteration:ʻôtser
Pronunciation:o'-tser
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun עֹצֶר (ʻôtser, `{{H6115}}`) derives directly from the verb עָצָר (ʻatsar, `{{H6113}}`), which fundamentally means "to restrain," "to hold back," "to shut up," or "to retain." Consequently, ʻôtser embodies the state or result of such an action. Its core meaning revolves around "closure," "restraint," or "detention."
The semantic range of ʻôtser extends to several significant applications:
1. **Physical Closure/Restraint:** This can imply a literal shutting in, leading to concepts like "prison" or "detention."
2. **Physiological Closure:** Specifically, when applied to the womb (רֶחֶם), it denotes "barrenness" or the inability to conceive, signifying a "closed" or "restrained" reproductive capacity.
3. **Abstract Constraint/Oppression:** In a broader sense, it can describe a state of being held down, restricted, or unjustly constrained by external forces, thus conveying "oppression" or "tyranny."
The word captures a sense of cessation, prevention, or limitation, whether physical, biological, or societal.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻôtser (`{{H6115}}`) is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in contexts that powerfully illustrate its core meaning of restraint and closure.
1. **Proverbs 30:16**: "Sheol, and the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that never says, 'Enough!'"
In this poetic enumeration of four things that are never satisfied, ʻôtser is used in the construct phrase עֹצֶר רֶחֶם (ʻôtser rechem), meaning "the closure of the womb" or "the barren womb." Here, ʻôtser vividly describes the condition of infertility, a state of being "shut up" against conception. The context emphasizes an unfulfilled longing or an insatiable void, paralleling the other examples of unending desire. This usage highlights the physical and deeply personal impact of restraint.
2. **Isaiah 53:8**: "By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?"
Here, ʻôtser appears in the phrase מֵעֹצֶר וּמִמִּשְׁפָּט (meʻôtser u'mimmishpat), translated as "by oppression and judgment." In this prophetic depiction of the Suffering Servant, ʻôtser denotes the unjust and coercive force exerted upon him. It signifies a state of being constrained, suppressed, or unjustly dealt with by powerful human systems. This usage extends the meaning from a physical or biological closure to a socio-political or judicial "oppression," where freedom and justice are severely curtailed. The Servant's life is tragically "cut off" by this oppressive restraint.
While the base definition suggests "prison," this specific nuance is more explicitly captured by other related terms from the same root, as ʻôtser itself does not directly appear in contexts denoting a literal incarceration in the extant biblical texts. Its primary biblical attestations underscore barrenness and unjust oppression.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of ʻôtser (`{{H6115}}`) is primarily defined by its root and related derivatives, as well as contrasting concepts:
* **Root Verb:** עָצָר (ʻatsar, `{{H6113}}`): This is the foundational verb from which ʻôtser is derived. It is widely used to denote "to restrain," "to hold back," "to shut up," "to stop," or "to retain." Examples include God "restraining" rain [[1 Kings 8:35]], a king "restraining" his people [[1 Samuel 9:17]], or a womb being "shut up" by divine action [[Genesis 20:18]]. The noun ʻôtser represents the *result* or *state* of this action.
* **Other Derivatives:**
* עֲצֶרֶת (ʻatseret, `{{H6116}}`): Often translated as "assembly" or "solemn assembly," particularly referring to the concluding day of a festival (e.g., Passover or Sukkot). The underlying sense is a "stopping" or "holding back" from regular activity for a sacred gathering.
* מַעְצָר (maʻtsar, `{{H4626}}`): This noun specifically means "restraint" or "detention," and in some contexts can refer to a literal "prison" or "place of detention" (e.g., [[Jeremiah 32:2]]). This word more directly conveys the "prison" aspect implied in the base definition of ʻôtser.
* **Contrasting Concepts:**
* **Opening/Liberation:** The antithesis of ʻôtser is "opening" (e.g., of the womb, פָּתַח, `{{H6605}}`) or "liberation" (יָצָא, `{{H3318}}`, "to go out"; חָפְשָׁה, `{{H2670}}`, "freedom").
* **Fruitfulness/Abundance:** The opposite of barrenness is fertility and blessing, often associated with divine favor and covenant promises.
* **Justice/Freedom:** The counterpoint to oppression is the establishment of justice (מִשְׁפָּט, `{{H4941}}`) and the experience of true freedom.
The conceptual network surrounding ʻôtser thus encompasses themes of divine control, human limitation, and the presence of injustice in the world.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻôtser (`{{H6115}}`) is profound, touching upon divine sovereignty, human suffering, and the nature of God's justice.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Life and Fruitfulness:** The use of ʻôtser in the context of the "barren womb" ([[Proverbs 30:16]]) powerfully underscores God's ultimate control over life and procreation. Throughout the biblical narrative, the opening and closing of the womb are repeatedly presented as acts of divine prerogative (e.g., Sarah [[Genesis 16:2]], Rebekah [[Genesis 25:21]], Rachel [[Genesis 30:2]], Hannah [[1 Samuel 1:5]]). Barrenness, understood as a divine "closure," often serves as a backdrop against which God's miraculous intervention and faithfulness are highlighted, leading to the birth of significant figures in salvation history. It emphasizes human dependence on God for the very gift of life and lineage.
2. **The Reality of Suffering and Unjust Oppression:** In [[Isaiah 53:8]], ʻôtser describes the "oppression" faced by the Suffering Servant. This usage highlights the harsh reality of human injustice and the suffering it inflicts. The Servant's experience of ʻôtser points to a world where righteousness is constrained, and the innocent are subjected to unjust forces. Theologically, this resonates with the experience of God's people throughout history, who often face oppression for their faith or simply due to the brokenness of human systems. It sets the stage for the Servant's redemptive work, which, through his own suffering, ultimately breaks the bonds of spiritual and physical oppression.
3. **The Human Condition and Divine Intervention:** ʻôtser speaks to the limitations and vulnerabilities of the human condition—whether the biological limitation of barrenness or the external imposition of unjust restraint. In both cases, the word points to a state of being hindered or deprived. The biblical witness, however, consistently portrays God as one who intervenes in such states of ʻôtser, opening what was closed, bringing life where there was barrenness, and delivering from oppression. Thus, ʻôtser not only describes a state of constraint but also implicitly anticipates the need for divine liberation and restoration.
### Summary
The Hebrew word עֹצֶר (ʻôtser, `{{H6115}}`), derived from the root עָצָר (`{{H6113}}`), fundamentally signifies "closure" or "restraint." Its primary biblical occurrences illustrate this core meaning in two distinct yet related contexts: the "barren womb" ([[Proverbs 30:16]]), denoting physiological closure and infertility, and "oppression" ([[Isaiah 53:8]]), signifying unjust constraint and suppression. Theologically, ʻôtser highlights God's sovereign control over life and human circumstances, particularly in the realm of procreation. Simultaneously, it powerfully depicts the reality of human suffering and injustice, as exemplified by the oppression faced by the Suffering Servant. The word underscores a state of limitation or hindrance, yet within the broader biblical narrative, it often serves as a prelude to divine intervention and the demonstration of God's power to open, liberate, and restore.
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