Lexical Summary masger: Prison, enclosure, confinement Original Word: מַסְגֵּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prison, smith From cagar; a fastener, i.e. (of a person) a smith, (of a thing) a prison -- prison, smith. see HEBREW cagar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sagar Definition a locksmith, smith, a dungeon NASB Translation dungeon (1), prison (2), smiths (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַסְגֵּר noun [masculine] 1 locksmith, smith. 2 dungeon: — always absolute: 1 collective smiths, וְכָלהֶֿחָרָשׁ ׳וְהַמּ 2 Kings 24:14 compare 2 Kings 24:16, Jeremiah 24:1; Jeremiah 29:2. 2 dungeon Isaiah 24:22 (compare סגר Pu`al); figurative of exile Isaiah 42:7 (׳הוֺצִיא מִמּ); נַפְשִׁי ׳הוֺצִיאָה מִמּ Psalm 142:8. Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical Usage מַסְגֵּר appears seven times and is applied in two related ways: (1) persons or states of confinement—“prisoners,” “captives,” or “prison”; and (2) craftsmen who fashion metal, especially those whose work involved bars, locks, and weapons. In both senses the word revolves around the idea of shutting or enclosing, whether people behind bars or iron worked into bars. Occurrences in the Exile Narratives (2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 24; Jeremiah 29) • 2 Kings 24:14, 16 records Nebuchadnezzar’s removal of “all the craftsmen and smiths” (masger) so that Judah could no longer manufacture weapons. Their deportation was a calculated step in divine judgment, fulfilling earlier prophetic warnings that national sin would end in captivity. Psalm 142: Prayer from Confinement David’s plea, “Free my soul from prison, that I may praise Your name” (Psalm 142:7), uses masger to portray the claustrophobic despair of spiritual and physical entrapment. The psalm turns the term into a metaphor for any circumstance that limits worship, teaching believers to cry to the Lord from the tightest places. Prophetic Imagery of Judgment and Redemption (Isaiah 24:22; Isaiah 42:7) • Isaiah 24:22 looks forward to eschatological reckoning: “They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit; they will be confined in the dungeon and punished after many days.” Here masger pictures rebellious powers incarcerated until final judgment—assuring the faithful that evil’s liberty is temporary. Historical and Social Significance of the Smiths Metalworkers were indispensable in an ancient agrarian-military economy. Removing them: 1. Disarmed the nation (fewer weapons, chariots, and armor). The Babylonian strategy magnified the covenant curse that disobedience would result in national humiliation (Deuteronomy 28:36). Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty: God both allows the seizure of smiths and promises to free prisoners, demonstrating control over exile and exodus alike. Ministry Application 1. Intercession: Like David, believers may petition God to open prisons—physical or spiritual—that inhibit worship and witness. Summary מַסְגֵּר captures both the desperate need for liberation and the strategic value of God-given skills. Whether depicting chained nations or confiscated craftsmen, each occurrence drives readers to recognize the Lord who shuts and the Lord who sets free—and to live in the freedom secured by His Anointed. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּסְגֵּר֙ המסגר וְהַמַּסְגֵּ֑ר וְהַמַּסְגֵּ֖ר וְהַמַּסְגֵּר֙ והמסגר מִמַּסְגֵּ֨ר ׀ מִמַּסְגֵּר֙ מַסְגֵּ֑ר ממסגר מסגר ham·mas·gêr hammasGer hammasgêr mas·gêr masGer masgêr mim·mas·gêr mimasGer mimmasgêr vehammasGer wə·ham·mas·gêr wəhammasgêrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 24:14 HEB: וְכָל־ הֶחָרָ֖שׁ וְהַמַּסְגֵּ֑ר לֹ֣א נִשְׁאַ֔ר NAS: the craftsmen and the smiths. None KJV: and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, INT: and all the craftsmen and the smiths None remained 2 Kings 24:16 Psalm 142:7 Isaiah 24:22 Isaiah 42:7 Jeremiah 24:1 Jeremiah 29:2 7 Occurrences |
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