4622. matsor

Lexical Summary

matsor: Siege, stronghold, fortress

Original Word: מַעְצוֹר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma`tsowr
Pronunciation: maw-tsore'
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-tsore')
KJV: restraint
NASB: restrained
Word Origin: [from H6113 (עָצַר - shut)]

1. objectively, a hindrance

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

restraint

From atsar; objectively, a hindrance -- restraint.

see HEBREW atsar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from atsar
Definition
a restraint, hindrance
NASB Translation
restrained (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מַעְצוֺר noun [masculine] restraint, hindrance; — ׳מ 1 Samuel 14:6 followed by infinitive, ׳י has no hindrance in delivering.

Topical Lexicon

Entry Summary

מַעְצוֹר (Strong’s Hebrew 4622) denotes a hindrance, impediment, or restraint. In its lone biblical appearance it underscores the conviction that nothing can limit the saving power of the Lord.

Biblical Occurrence

1 Samuel 14:6 – “Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, ‘Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.’”

Immediate Context in 1 Samuel

1. Military Setting: Israel is under Philistine domination. Saul’s troops are scattered and ill–equipped (1 Samuel 13:19–22).
2. Jonathan’s Initiative: Without consulting his father, Jonathan leaves the camp at Geba to attack the Philistine detachment at Michmash, armed with faith rather than numbers (14:1–5).
3. Key Declaration: The phrase containing מַעְצוֹר crystallizes Jonathan’s theology—divine deliverance is not contingent upon human strength or resources.
4. Outcome: Jonathan’s two–man exploit triggers panic in the Philistine camp, leading to a sweeping Israelite victory (14:13–23).

Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence
• “Nothing can hinder the LORD” parallels Job 42:2; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 59:1.
• The verse anticipates New Testament affirmations that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

2. Salvation by Grace, not Numbers
• Jonathan expressly contrasts divine power with human arithmetic.
• The precedent echoes Gideon’s reduced army (Judges 7:2–7) and foreshadows Christ feeding multitudes with meager provisions (John 6:9–14).

3. Faith–Inspired Initiative
• Jonathan’s “perhaps” does not signal doubt but humble submission; he acts, trusting God’s freedom to intervene.
• The episode illustrates the balance between bold action and dependence on divine will.

Literary Significance

The word stands at the structural center of Jonathan’s speech, providing rhetorical force. In Hebrew the phrase אַיִן לַיהוָה מַעְצוֹר (“there is no restraint to the LORD”) employs parallelism: negative particle + divine name + abstract noun, followed by the infinitive “to save,” intensifying the absoluteness of God’s capability.

Historical and Cultural Background

• Philistine iron monopoly (1 Samuel 13:19–22) renders Israel’s deliverance even more improbable in human terms.
• Outnumbered forces and sheer cliffs (Michmash pass) create a vivid stage on which the concept of “no restraint” is dramatically verified.
• Ancient Near Eastern warfare often attributed victory to the size of armies and weaponry; Scripture turns that expectation on its head.

Ministry and Devotional Application

1. Leadership: Pastors and elders can encourage congregations facing limited resources—buildings, finances, personnel—that divine mission is not stalled by scarcity.
2. Prayer: Jonathan’s example models petitions that couple bold requests with surrender to God’s sovereign choice.
3. Evangelism and Missions: Whether preaching to multitudes or sharing with one individual, the church relies on the same boundless power of God to save.
4. Personal Courage: Believers confronting cultural opposition can recall that obstacles present opportunities for God to display unrestrained power.

Cross–References Illustrating the Principle

• 2 Chronicles 14:11 – “LORD, there is no one beside You to help the powerless against the mighty.”
• Jeremiah 32:17 – “Nothing is too difficult for You.”
• Isaiah 14:27 – “The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him?”
• Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Christological Perspective

The ultimate validation that nothing can hinder the Lord is found in the resurrection. Human authorities sealed, guarded, and watched the tomb, yet “God raised Him from the dead” (Acts 13:30). The same power that raised Jesus (Ephesians 1:19–20) ensures that neither sin, death, nor any earthly force can restrain His plan of redemption.

Summary Insight

מַעְצוֹר serves as a lexical pivot that turns human impotence into divine opportunity. In a moment of national crisis, one warrior confessed that the Lord’s saving activity cannot be fettered by circumstance. Every subsequent act of God, culminating in the cross and empty tomb, confirms the truth Jonathan proclaimed: the Almighty encounters no restraint.

Forms and Transliterations

מַעְצ֔וֹר מעצור ma‘·ṣō·wr ma‘ṣōwr maTzor

Englishman's Concordance

1 Samuel 14:6
HEB: אֵ֤ין לַֽיהוָה֙ מַעְצ֔וֹר לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ בְּרַ֖ב
NAS: for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save
KJV: will work for us: for [there is] no restraint to the LORD
INT: for the LORD restrained to save many

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4622
1 Occurrence

ma‘·ṣō·wr — 1 Occ.