Lexical Summary bitstsaron: Fortress, stronghold Original Word: בָּצָּרוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stronghold Masculine intensive from batsar; a fortress -- stronghold. see HEBREW batsar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom batsar Definition a stronghold NASB Translation stronghold (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּצָּרוֺן noun [masculine] stronghold, ׳לְב Zechariah 9:12. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery בָּצָּרוֹן (batsaron) evokes the picture of a walled fortress—an elevated, fortified refuge that guarantees safety to those who enter. While the term appears only once in the Hebrew canon, its imagery resonates with a rich biblical motif of God as the believer’s stronghold (for example, Psalm 18:2; Psalm 46:7). A batsaron is more than masonry; it symbolizes unassailable security that derives ultimately from the LORD Himself. Old Testament Context Zechariah 9 presents a sweeping oracle in which the prophet moves from judgment upon hostile nations (Zechariah 9:1-8) to the triumphal advent of Israel’s humble King (Zechariah 9:9-10). Verse 12, the lone occurrence of batsaron, offers a pastoral appeal: “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; even today I declare that I will restore to you double.” (Zechariah 9:12) Here, the stronghold functions on two levels. First, it is a literal refuge to which the returning exiles may gather as the LORD shields Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:8). Second, it is a spiritual haven—the covenant presence of God—where captives defined by hope discover certain restoration. The prophet’s language ties physical safety to spiritual renewal: when Judah turns back to God, He becomes their impregnable fortress and their promised restorer. Historical Background Zechariah ministered after the Babylonian exile, likely between 520-480 B.C. The Jewish community had returned to a devastated land, faced persistent opposition, and wrestled with disillusionment. Political strongholds were sparse; walls were broken. By calling the people to the batsaron, Zechariah redirected national confidence away from military architecture toward the safeguarding sovereignty of the LORD. The promise of “double” restoration mirrors Isaiah 61:7, assuring the remnant that God’s grace will overwhelmingly exceed former losses. Theological Themes 1. Divine Refuge: The word encapsulates the protective nature of God. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). Messianic Anticipation Zechariah 9:12 stands in the immediate context of the famous messianic verse, “See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). The fortress imagery thus prepares hearts for the Messiah who provides ultimate safety. In Jesus Christ, the metaphor is fulfilled: He is the sanctuary to which sinners flee (Hebrews 6:18), securing eternal deliverance by His atoning work (Colossians 1:13-14). Ministry Implications • Preaching: Exhort believers to “return” daily to Christ as their batsaron—abandoning self-reliance and embracing Gospel-grounded security. Related Passages Psalm 18:2 — “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” Proverbs 18:10 — “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Nahum 1:7 — “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.” Hebrews 6:18 — “[We] have fled to take hold of the hope set before us, the hope that is firmly anchored.” Conclusion Although בָּצָּרוֹן appears only once, its impact is far-reaching. It invites every generation to forsake flimsy defenses and seek shelter in the LORD, whose covenant faithfulness turns captives into conquerors and supplies double grace for every loss. Forms and Transliterations לְבִצָּר֔וֹן לבצרון lə·ḇiṣ·ṣā·rō·wn ləḇiṣṣārōwn levitztzaRonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Zechariah 9:12 HEB: שׁ֚וּבוּ לְבִצָּר֔וֹן אֲסִירֵ֖י הַתִּקְוָ֑ה NAS: Return to the stronghold, O prisoners KJV: Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners INT: Return to the stronghold prisoners have the hope 1 Occurrence |
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