Lexical Summary maamasah: Load, burden Original Word: מַעֲמָסָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burdensome From amac; burdensomeness -- burdensome. see HEBREW amac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom amas Definition a load, burden NASB Translation heavy (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַעֲמָסָה noun feminine load, burden; — ׳אֶבֶן מ Zechariah 12:3 a stone of burden = heavy stone, hard to lift. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrenceמַעֲמָסָה (maʿăsāh) appears once, in Zechariah 12:3, describing Jerusalem as “a heavy stone for all the peoples”. The rarity of the term underlines its prophetic force: every nuance must be drawn from this single, vivid picture. Imagery and Metaphor The word conveys the idea of a weight that must be lifted or carried—yet proves injurious to those who attempt it. While many prophetic images use “stone” positively (foundation, cornerstone), this stone is explicitly burdensome. It pictures the nations straining to remove or relocate Jerusalem only to lacerate their own hands, signifying self-destruction for those who oppose God’s covenant city. Prophetic Context Zechariah 12 opens with a series of “On that day” oracles (verses 2–9) that climax in the revelation of the pierced Messiah (verse 10) and national repentance (verses 10–14). The verse immediately preceding calls Jerusalem “a cup that causes staggering” (verse 2), so the “heavy stone” intensifies the peril: first they reel, then they are crushed. Together, the metaphors warn of progressive judgment on the nations while promising deliverance for Judah. Historical Setting Zechariah spoke to a post-exilic community rebuilding a modest temple amid regional hostility (circa 520 BC). To a city with broken walls and lingering memories of Babylonian conquest, calling Jerusalem a crushing weight would sound paradoxical—but this paradox highlights divine intervention over human vulnerability. The assurance that adversaries will wound themselves on Jerusalem encouraged the remnant to persevere in covenant faithfulness. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty: The LORD, not military might, makes Jerusalem immovable (Psalm 46:5; Zechariah 2:5). Intertextual Links • Stone imagery intertwined with judgment: Daniel 2:34-35; Matthew 21:44. Eschatological Significance Zechariah 12 portrays a future “day” when international coalitions converge against Jerusalem, yet find themselves shattered. This anticipates the climactic deliverance at the Messiah’s return (Zechariah 14:3-4). The Hebrew word accentuates the futility of anti-Jerusalem agendas: the city is immovable until God’s redemptive plan is complete. Practical Ministry Applications • Encourage intercession for Jerusalem’s peace (Psalm 122:6) while trusting God’s ultimate protection. Key Points for Teaching and Preaching 1. מַעֲמָסָה emphasizes Jerusalem’s God-given inviolability. Forms and Transliterations מַֽעֲמָסָה֙ מעמסה ma‘ămāsāh ma·‘ă·mā·sāh maamaSahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Zechariah 12:3 HEB: יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם אֶ֤בֶן מַֽעֲמָסָה֙ לְכָל־ הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים NAS: Jerusalem a heavy stone KJV: Jerusalem a burdensome stone INT: Jerusalem stone A heavy for all the peoples 1 Occurrence |
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