4705. mitsar

Strong's Lexicon

mitsar: Distress, narrow place, straits

Original Word: מִצַּר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mitsar
Pronunciation: mits-ahr'
Phonetic Spelling: (mits-awr')
Definition: Distress, narrow place, straits
Meaning: petty, a short

Word Origin: Derived from the root צָרַר (tsarar), meaning "to bind" or "to be narrow."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint for similar concepts is θλίψις (thlipsis), Strong's Greek 2347, which also means "tribulation" or "distress."

Usage: The term "mitsar" is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe situations of distress or difficulty, often metaphorically referring to a narrow or confined space that causes pressure or trouble. It conveys the idea of being in a tight spot, both physically and emotionally, where one feels constrained or oppressed.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, the concept of being in a "narrow place" was not only a physical description but also a metaphor for the challenges and adversities faced by individuals and the nation. The Israelites often experienced literal and figurative "mitsar" during times of war, exile, and personal trials. The imagery of being in a narrow place is prevalent in the Psalms and prophetic literature, reflecting the struggles and cries for deliverance from God.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from tsaar
Definition
a small thing
NASB Translation
insignificant (1), little while (1), small (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. מִצְעָר noun masculine a small thing ("" מִזְעָר); —

1 absolute ׳מ a small thing, of city Genesis 19:20 (twice in verse) (J); of Job's fortunes, ׳רֵאשִׁיתְֱ מ Job 8:7 (opposed to יִשְׂגֶּה מְאֹר); construct מִצְעַר אֲנָשִׁים2Chronicles 24:24 a few men; of time ׳לַמּ Isaiah 63:18 for the [a] little while. — Psalm 42:7 see II.׳מ.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

little one while, small

From tsa'ar; petty (in size or number); adverbially, a short (time) -- little one (while), small.

see HEBREW tsa'ar

Forms and Transliterations

בְמִצְעַ֨ר במצער לַמִּצְעָ֕ר למצער מִצְעָ֑ר מִצְעָ֛ר מצער ḇə·miṣ·‘ar ḇəmiṣ‘ar lam·miṣ·‘ār lammiṣ‘ār lammitzAr miṣ‘ār miṣ·‘ār mitzAr vemitzAr

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 19:20
HEB: שָׁ֖מָּה וְהִ֣יא מִצְעָ֑ר אִמָּלְטָ֨ה נָּ֜א
NAS: [enough] to flee to, and it is small. Please,
KJV: unto, and it [is] a little one: Oh, let me escape
INT: there and it is small escape Please

Genesis 19:20
HEB: שָׁ֗מָּה הֲלֹ֥א מִצְעָ֛ר הִ֖וא וּתְחִ֥י
NAS: there (is it not small?) that my life
KJV: Oh, let me escape thither, ([is] it not a little one?) and my soul
INT: there not is small he may be saved

2 Chronicles 24:24
HEB: כִּי֩ בְמִצְעַ֨ר אֲנָשִׁ֜ים בָּ֣אוּ ׀
NAS: came with a small number of men;
KJV: came with a small company of men,
INT: Indeed A small of men came

Job 8:7
HEB: וְהָיָ֣ה רֵאשִׁיתְךָ֣ מִצְעָ֑ר וְ֝אַחֲרִיתְךָ֗ יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה
NAS: Though your beginning was insignificant, Yet your end
KJV: Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end
INT: become your beginning was insignificant your end will increase

Isaiah 63:18
HEB: לַמִּצְעָ֕ר יָרְשׁ֖וּ עַם־
NAS: Your sanctuary for a little while, Our adversaries
KJV: have possessed [it] but a little while: our adversaries
INT: A little possessed people

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4705
5 Occurrences

lam·miṣ·‘ār — 1 Occ.
miṣ·‘ār — 3 Occ.
ḇə·miṣ·‘ar — 1 Occ.