Lexical Summary matstsab: Pillar, Monument, Station Original Word: מַצָּב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance garrison, station, place where From natsab; a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post -- garrison, station, place where...stood. see HEBREW natsab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom natsab Definition standing place, station, garrison NASB Translation garrison (8), office (1), place where (1), place* (1), standing (2), where (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַצָּב noun masculine1Samuel 13:23 standing-place, station, garrison; — ׳מ absolute 1 Samuel 14:15, construct מַצַּב Joshua 4:3,9 + (Baer in Sm מַצָּב, compare on 1 Samuel 13:23, but see Ginsb); suffix מַצָּבֶ֫ךָ Isaiah 22:19; — 1 standing-place of feetJosh Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 4:9 (JE). 2 station, office Isaiah 22:19 ("" מַעֲמָד). 3 garrison, post, or outpost (of Philistines) 1 Samuel 13:23; 1 Samuel 14:1,4,6,11,15; 2 Samuel 23:14; so read also 1 Samuel 14:12 (for ᵑ0 מַצָּבָה) ᵐ5 Th We Bu HPS. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope of the Termמַצָּב (Strong’s 4673) describes a “standing place” that, depending on context, can denote 1) a fixed physical location, 2) a military outpost or garrison, or 3) a vocational station or official post. All three shades of meaning are unified by the idea of something (or someone) being firmly set in position. Memorial Stones at the Jordan (Joshua 4) When Israel crossed the Jordan, the Lord directed Joshua to “Take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet have stood firm” (Joshua 4:3). The stones marked the מַצָּב of the priests who bore the Ark. Placed on the riverbank and also within the riverbed itself (Joshua 4:9), these stones commemorated God’s steadfast faithfulness at the threshold of the Promised Land. Here מַצָּב highlights: • Stability—The Ark-bearers remained unmoved until every Israelite had crossed, portraying God’s unwavering support. Philistine Garrisons during Saul and David’s Early Reigns (1 Samuel 13–14; 2 Samuel 23:14) In the early monarchy the term shifts from a static memorial to an active military presence. “The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash” (1 Samuel 13:23), asserting enemy control deep inside Israel’s heartland. Jonathan repeatedly targets these מַצָּב outposts (1 Samuel 14:1, 6, 11, 15), confident that “nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (14:6). Key observations: • Footholds of Oppression—Philistine מַצָּבוֹת symbolized spiritual compromise that tolerated foreign dominion in covenant territory. Official Station Removed (Isaiah 22:19) Through Isaiah the Lord warns Shebna, “I will depose you from your office, and you will be ousted from your position” (Isaiah 22:19). The royal steward misused his מַצָּב by seeking personal glory. His fall teaches that: • Office is a trust, not a privilege for self-exaltation. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty—Whether landmark, military post, or office, every מַצָּב exists under God’s rule. Practical Ministry Insights • Establish memorials of God’s faithfulness; testimonies anchor future obedience. Summary מַצָּב calls God’s people to stand firm, remember, defend covenant ground, and steward every position for His glory until the final day when all hostile strongholds fall and every faithful station is rewarded. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּצָּב֙ המצב וּמַצַּ֣ב ומצב מִמַּצַּב֙ מִמַּצָּבֶ֑ךָ מַצַּ֖ב מַצַּ֣ב מַצַּב֙ ממצב ממצבך מצב ham·maṣ·ṣāḇ hammaṣṣāḇ hammatzTzav maṣ·ṣaḇ maṣṣaḇ matzTzav mim·maṣ·ṣā·ḇe·ḵā mim·maṣ·ṣaḇ mimatzTzav mimatztzaVecha mimmaṣṣaḇ mimmaṣṣāḇeḵā ū·maṣ·ṣaḇ ūmaṣṣaḇ umatzTzavLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 4:3 HEB: מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן מִמַּצַּב֙ רַגְלֵ֣י הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים NAS: of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' KJV: feet stood firm, INT: of the middle of the Jordan the place feet the priests' Joshua 4:9 1 Samuel 13:23 1 Samuel 14:1 1 Samuel 14:4 1 Samuel 14:6 1 Samuel 14:11 1 Samuel 14:15 2 Samuel 23:14 Isaiah 22:19 10 Occurrences |