4231. machoz
Lexical Summary
machoz: District, Region, Province

Original Word: מָחוֹז
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: machowz
Pronunciation: ma-KHOZ
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-khoze')
KJV: haven
NASB: haven
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to enclose]

1. a harbor (as shut in by the shore)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
haven

From an unused root meaning to enclose; a harbor (as shut in by the shore) -- haven.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a city
NASB Translation
haven (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מָחוֺז noun [masculine] city (Assyrian loan-word; from ma—âzu, city, AsrbAnnals iii.115 and often; see DlHWB 271; compare ᵑ7 מָחוֺזָא market-place, province, small town) — only construct וַיַּנְחֵם אֶלמְֿחוֺז חֶפְצָם Psalm 107:30 and he guided them unto the city of their desire.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence and Context

מָחוֹז appears once in Scripture, in Psalm 107:30: “Then they are glad when it is calm, so He guides them to their desired haven.” The psalm recounts God’s sovereignty over the sea, portraying sailors who cry out during a tempest and are brought safely to shore. The “desired haven” encapsulates both the literal relief of landing and the figurative rest believers find in the Lord.

Imagery and Symbolism

1. Rest after turmoil – The calm that follows the storm mirrors life’s passages from distress to peace when God intervenes.
2. Boundary of safety – A harbor marks the end of danger and the beginning of provision, evoking God’s protective nature (Psalm 46:1; Proverbs 18:10).
3. Pilgrim progress – Scripture frequently likens life to a journey (Hebrews 11:13-16). A haven suggests the goal toward which faith steers, anticipating the “better country” prepared by God.

Historical and Cultural Background

Israel’s coast lay along vital maritime trade routes. While most Israelites were agrarian, seafaring neighbors such as the Phoenicians influenced the region. Psalm 107’s nautical vignette reflects firsthand knowledge of Mediterranean storms and the critical importance of secure anchorages. Ancient harbors—Tyre, Sidon, Joppa, and later Caesarea Maritima—served both commerce and military defense, making the image readily understandable to its first hearers.

Theological Themes

• Divine sovereignty over creation: The One who “stills the roaring of the seas” (Psalm 65:7) alone directs vessels to safety.
• Salvation history pattern: Cry → deliverance → praise underscores God’s covenant faithfulness.
• Refuge in God: מָחוֹז anticipates New Testament assurances—“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).
• Gratitude and witness: Psalm 107 repeatedly urges the redeemed to “give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion” (verse 31), providing a liturgical framework for testimony.

Ministry and Pastoral Application

1. Comfort amid crises: Preachers may depict life’s “storms” and God’s guidance toward a haven to encourage trust during trials.
2. Missionary journeys: Paul’s voyages (Acts 27) echo Psalm 107’s pattern; God still brings servants to their appointed ports.
3. Worship planning: Readings or songs that evoke God as harbor (e.g., “Will Your Anchor Hold”) help congregations internalize this truth.
4. Counseling metaphor: A safe harbor illustrates relational and spiritual security for those facing turmoil.

Related Biblical Motifs

• Ark of Noah – preservation through waters (Genesis 6-8).
• Crossing the Red Sea – deliverance leading to worship (Exodus 14-15).
• Jesus calming the storm – authority over chaos (Mark 4:35-41).
• New Jerusalem – final place of rest where “there will be no more sea” signifying complete safety (Revelation 21:1).

Christological Connection

Just as sailors in Psalm 107 rejoice upon reaching land, those who trust in Christ find ultimate refuge in Him. The calming of the Galilean storm demonstrates He is both Lord of nature and the true מָחוֹז who receives the weary (Matthew 11:28).

Hymnology and Liturgy

Traditional hymns such as “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” and “Blessed Assurance” draw on the harbor theme. Psalm 107:23-32 is often appointed for services of thanksgiving after travel or deliverance.

Summary

מָחוֹז conveys more than geographic shelter; it encapsulates God’s promise to bring His people safely through chaos into rest. From Israel’s harbors to the believer’s eternal home, the term invites gratitude, faith, and hope anchored in the steadfast love of the Lord.

Forms and Transliterations
מְח֥וֹז מחוז mə·ḥō·wz meChoz məḥōwz
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Englishman's Concordance
Psalm 107:30
HEB: וַ֝יַּנְחֵ֗ם אֶל־ מְח֥וֹז חֶפְצָֽם׃
NAS: them to their desired haven.
KJV: them unto their desired haven.
INT: guided about haven to their desired

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4231
1 Occurrence


mə·ḥō·wz — 1 Occ.

4230
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