Lexical Summary mazeh: "What is this?" or "What?" Original Word: מֶזֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burnt From an unused root meaning to suck out; exhausted -- burnt. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition sucked out, empty NASB Translation wasted (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָזֶה] adjective (si vera lectio) sucked out, empty, מְזֵי רָעָב Deuteronomy 32:24 sucked out, empty, front hunger ("" לְחֻמֵי רֶשֶׁף) so Isaiah 5:13 Ew De Che Di Du (for ᵑ0 מְתֵי; ᵐ5 ᵑ9 מֵתֵי). Topical Lexicon Definition and Senseמֶזֶה conveys the idea of wasting or withering away, especially through gnawing hunger that slowly consumes life and strength. Biblical Usage The word is found once, in Deuteronomy 32:24, within Moses’ “Song of Witness.” The verse renders: “I will send wasting famine against them, consuming pestilence and deadly plague; I will send against them the fangs of beasts, with the venom of vipers that crawl in the dust.” (Deuteronomy 32:24) Here מֶזֶה (“wasting famine”) introduces a triad of escalating judgments—famine, pestilence, and plague—that form part of the covenant curses pronounced on a rebellious Israel. Context in Deuteronomy 32 1. The Song is Moses’ prophetic summary of Israel’s future history, contrasting God’s faithfulness with Israel’s anticipated unfaithfulness. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Justice Hunger was promised as a sanction for idolatry and covenant breach. The solitary appearance of מֶזֶה underscores that famine is not random but a measured, purposeful act of God’s justice (Deuteronomy 28:48–51). 2. Dependence on God Israel’s survival in the land hinged on rain (Deuteronomy 11:13–17). מֶזֶה reminds readers that bread itself is a divine gift. When withheld, the nation is driven back to the Giver (compare Hosea 2:8–9). 3. Progressive Discipline The sequence “wasting famine… pestilence… deadly plague” shows God’s patience: He begins with deprivation intended to provoke repentance before more lethal judgments follow (Amos 4:6–10). Historical Background 1. Northern Kingdom: Repeated famines during the reigns of Ahab (1 Kings 17–18) and later Elisha’s ministry (2 Kings 6:25; 8:1) illustrate the fulfillment of the Song’s warnings. Relation to Covenant Blessings and Curses Blessing: “He will bless your bread and your water” (Exodus 23:25). Curse: “You will sow much seed… but you will harvest little, because locusts will devour it” (Deuteronomy 28:38). מֶזֶה stands in stark contrast to the land “flowing with milk and honey,” showing that the same covenant that offers abundance also withholds it when broken. Ministry Implications 1. Preaching Repentance מֶזֶה provides a sober text for calling God’s people to examine covenant faithfulness, stressing that physical circumstances can mirror spiritual realities (Haggai 1:5–11). 2. Compassionate Action While famine may be a divine chastening, believers are still called to mercy (Isaiah 58:7; James 2:15–16). The Church becomes God’s instrument of relief, echoing Joseph’s role in Genesis 41:55. 3. Intercessory Prayer Moses and the prophets interceded when famine struck (2 Samuel 21:1; Joel 2:17). Modern ministry follows that pattern, seeking God’s mercy for nations under judgment. Christological and Eschatological Considerations 1. Christ the Bread of Life מֶזֶה highlights humanity’s inability to sustain itself. Jesus answers the deepest hunger: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). Where מֶזֶה speaks of wasting, Christ brings fullness (John 10:10). 2. End-Times Judgments Revelation 6:5–8 portrays famine as one of the seal judgments. Deuteronomy 32 foreshadows this eschatological pattern: famine leads the list, followed by pestilence and sword. 3. Millennial Reversal Prophets envision a day when “the plowman will overtake the reaper” (Amos 9:13). The curse associated with מֶזֶה will be lifted in the Messianic reign. Practical Application for Believers • Gratitude for Provision: Daily bread is neither earned nor guaranteed; it is grace. Key Related Texts Leviticus 26:20; Deuteronomy 28:48–51; 1 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 6:25; Lamentations 4:9; Amos 4:6; Haggai 1:5–11; Revelation 6:5–8. Forms and Transliterations מְזֵ֥י מזי mə·zê məzê meZeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 32:24 HEB: מְזֵ֥י רָעָ֛ב וּלְחֻ֥מֵי NAS: [They will be] wasted by famine, KJV: [They shall be] burnt with hunger, INT: wasted famine and consumed |
    |