Strong's Lexicon matsar: Distress, siege, constraint Original Word: מַעְצָר Word Origin: Derived from the root verb צָרַר (tsarar), meaning "to bind" or "to be narrow." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G2347 (θλῖψις, thlipsis) - often translated as "tribulation" or "affliction," capturing the sense of pressure or distress. - G4692 (συνοχὴ, synochē) - meaning "distress" or "anguish," similar to the feeling of being besieged. Usage: The Hebrew word "matsar" primarily denotes a state of distress or a situation of being besieged. It conveys the idea of being in a tight spot, under pressure, or in a situation where one's freedom is restricted. This term is often used in the context of military sieges, where a city or fortress is surrounded and cut off from supplies, leading to a state of distress for its inhabitants. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, cities were often fortified with walls to protect against enemy attacks. A siege was a common military strategy where an invading army would encircle a city, cutting off its supplies and forcing it into submission. The term "matsar" captures the anxiety and hardship experienced by those trapped within the city walls during such sieges. This concept of distress extends beyond physical sieges to include any situation where individuals feel trapped or oppressed. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom atsar Definition restraint, control NASB Translation control (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַעְצָר noun [masculine] restraint, control; — ׳מ Proverbs 25:28 a man whose spirit is without control. עקב (√ of following, meaning dubious: Thes assumes be protuberant, whence both עָקֵב heel and II. עָקֹב hilly). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rule From atsar; subjectively, control -- rule. see HEBREW atsar Forms and Transliterations מַעְצָ֣ר מעצר ma‘·ṣār ma‘ṣār maTzarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 25:28 HEB: אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֵ֖ין מַעְצָ֣ר לְרוּחֽוֹ׃ NAS: who has no control over his spirit. KJV: He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit INT: who has control his spirit 1 Occurrence |