מָצוֹק
ma.tsoq
distress
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "מָצוֹק" (ma.tsoq) is defined as "distress." It appears six times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the Hebrew language. The term "distress" encompasses a range of intense emotional or physical suffering, likely including feelings of anxiety, oppression, or desperation. The frequency of its appearance suggests that the concept of distress was significant in ancient Hebrew culture. The word's usage implies that it can be applied to both internal emotional states and external circumstances, such as being overwhelmed by circumstances or experiencing hardship. This dual nature of "מָצוֹק" highlights the complex interplay between individual emotions and external pressures in the lives of ancient Hebrews. As a common concept in the Hebrew language, "מָצוֹק" likely played a significant role in shaping the cultural and emotional landscape of ancient Hebrews. Its appearance in the Bible underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing distress in personal and communal life.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences across the text
Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
Jeremiah 19:9I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters. They will each eat the flesh of his friend in the siege and in the distress, with which their enemies, and those who seek their life, will distress them.” ’
Deuteronomy 28:53You will eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, whom Yahweh your God has given you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies will distress you.
Deuteronomy 28:55so that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he will eat, because he has nothing left to him, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will distress you in all your gates.
Deuteronomy 28:57toward her young one who comes out from between her feet, and toward her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of all things in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will distress you in your gates.
1 Samuel 22:2Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became captain over them. There were with him about four hundred men.