4623. matsar

Lexicon

matsar: Distress, siege, constraint

Original Word: מַעְצָר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma`tsar
Pronunciation: maw-tsar'
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-tsawr')
Definition: Distress, siege, constraint
Meaning: subjectively, control

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

rule

From atsar; subjectively, control -- rule.

see HEBREW atsar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from atsar
Definition
restraint, control
NASB Translation
control (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מַעְצָר noun [masculine] restraint, control; — ׳מ Proverbs 25:28 a man whose spirit is without control.

עקב (√ of following, meaning dubious: Thes assumes be protuberant, whence both עָקֵב heel and II. עָקֹב hilly).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb עָצַר (atsar), which means "to restrain" or "to hold back."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of control or restraint in the Hebrew Bible, as expressed by מַעְצָר, can be related to several Greek terms in the New Testament. These include:

• Strong's Greek 1466 (ἐγκράτεια, egkrateia): Often translated as "self-control," this term is used in the New Testament to describe the virtue of mastering one's desires and impulses.
• Strong's Greek 2904 (κράτος, kratos): Meaning "strength" or "power," this term can imply control or dominion, often in the context of God's sovereign power.
• Strong's Greek 2716 (κατέχω, katechō): Meaning "to hold back" or "to restrain," this verb is used to describe the act of restraining or holding something in check.

These Greek terms reflect similar themes of control and restraint, highlighting the continuity of these concepts across both the Old and New Testaments.

Usage: The word מַעְצָר is used in the context of control or restraint, particularly in relation to self-control or the act of restraining oneself or others. It is not frequently used in the Hebrew Bible, making its occurrences significant for understanding the concept of restraint in biblical texts.

Context: מַעְצָר (ma'atzar) appears in the Hebrew Bible as a noun that conveys the idea of control or restraint. This term is rooted in the verb עָצַר (atsar), which is often used to describe the act of holding back or restraining. In biblical literature, מַעְצָר can be understood as a form of self-control or the ability to restrain one's actions or emotions. It reflects a moral or ethical dimension, where individuals are encouraged to exercise control over their desires and impulses.

The concept of מַעְצָר is significant in the biblical worldview, as it aligns with the broader theme of discipline and self-regulation. The ability to exercise control is often seen as a virtue, reflecting wisdom and maturity. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, מַעְצָר may also relate to divine restraint, where God holds back judgment or exercises patience with humanity.

While the term itself is not extensively used, its implications are woven throughout biblical teachings on character and behavior. The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) captures the essence of this term in its translation, emphasizing the importance of control and restraint in the life of a believer.

Forms and Transliterations

מַעְצָ֣ר מעצר ma‘·ṣār ma‘ṣār maTzar

Englishman's Concordance

Proverbs 25:28
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֵ֖ין מַעְצָ֣ר לְרוּחֽוֹ׃
NAS: who has no control over his spirit.
KJV: He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit
INT: who has control his spirit

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4623
1 Occurrence

ma‘·ṣār — 1 Occ.