Lexical Summary melet: Escape, Deliverance Original Word: מֶלֶט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cement, clay From malat, cement (from its plastic smoothness) -- clay. see HEBREW malat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom malat Definition mortar, cement NASB Translation mortar (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶ֫לֶט noun [masculine] mortar, cement (etymology dubious; Aramaic  id., whence Arabic  Frä10); — Jeremiah 43:9. Topical Lexicon Definition within ScriptureMēleṭ (Strong’s Hebrew 4423) designates the mortar or cement used in brick construction. It appears a single time, in Jeremiah 43:9, where the prophet hides stones “in the mortar in the brick courtyard at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes”. Though only one occurrence, the term opens a window onto Israel’s history with Egypt, prophetic symbolism, and the biblical theme of foundation. Historical Setting of Jeremiah 43:9 After Jerusalem’s fall in 586 B.C., a remnant fled to Egypt, settling at Tahpanhes (Greek “Daphne”). There, amid Pharaoh’s government buildings, Jeremiah enacted a sign-act: burying large stones in freshly laid mortar of the palace courtyard. Egypt’s great fortifications—bricks bonded by durable mortar—represented power and security to the refugees. By using the very mortar of Pharaoh’s precinct, Jeremiah announced that no earthly wall could shield them from God’s judgment, for the Babylonian king would set his throne upon those stones (Jeremiah 43:10-13). Symbolic and Theological Implications 1. Renewal of Egyptian Bondage The imagery recalls Israel’s first oppression in Egypt, when the people were compelled to make bricks (Exodus 1:14). Returning to Egypt and its brickwork signified a reversal of the Exodus, a willful abandonment of the covenant protections found in the land of promise. 2. Foundations Under Judgment Mortar binds stones into a unified structure; yet the prophecy shows that foundations laid apart from obedience to God cannot stand. Scripture frequently contrasts trustworthy and false foundations (Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 7:24-27). The melet of Tahpanhes would soon crumble before Babylon’s armies, underscoring that divine sovereignty overrides human engineering. 3. A Hidden Witness Jeremiah’s buried stones, sealed by mortar, became a silent testimony awaiting future fulfillment. When Nebuchadnezzar arrived, the sign would speak. This motif anticipates New Testament teaching that the works of believers are likewise “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). True security lies not in material walls but in covenant faithfulness. Ministerial Applications • Warning against false refuge Modern believers may be tempted to trust cultural, financial, or political “brickwork.” Jeremiah’s use of melet cautions that any foundation apart from the Lord will ultimately be shattered. • Call to prophetic acts The prophet’s dramatic sign, enacted in public space, illustrates the legitimacy of visual proclamation in ministry; deeds can reinforce words when rooted in scriptural truth. • Remembering delivered identity The brick-making oppression of Exodus and the brick courtyard of Tahpanhes bookend Israel’s redemptive story: from slavery to promised freedom, then back toward bondage when disobedient. Churches and families are encouraged to cultivate practices that keep salvific history alive, preventing the drift toward old enslavements. Related Biblical Motifs – Clay and mortar as symbols of human workmanship (Genesis 11:3; Isaiah 41:25) – Bricks versus hewn stone, reflecting man-made versus divinely provided structures (1 Kings 6:7) – The buried testimony motif (Joshua 4:1-9; Matthew 13:44) Conclusion Though melet appears only once, its surrounding narrative offers enduring lessons on foundations, fidelity, and the futility of seeking safety apart from the Lord. Like the mortar of Tahpanhes, every human scheme will set before the throne of divine sovereignty; only what is built on the Rock stands forever. Forms and Transliterations בַּמֶּ֙לֶט֙ במלט bam·me·leṭ bamMelet bammeleṭLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 43:9 HEB: גְּדֹל֗וֹת וּטְמַנְתָּ֤ם בַּמֶּ֙לֶט֙ בַּמַּלְבֵּ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֛ר NAS: and hide them in the mortar in the brick KJV: and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, INT: large and hide the mortar the brick which 1 Occurrence |
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