4676. matstsebah

Lexical Summary

matstsebah: Pillar, Monument, Standing Stone

Original Word: מַצֵּבָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: matstsebah
Pronunciation: maht-tseh-bah'
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsay-baw')
KJV: garrison, (standing) image, pillar
NASB: pillar, pillars, stump, obelisks
Word Origin: [feminine (causatively) participle of H5324 (נָצַב - set)]

1. something stationed, i.e. a column or (memorial stone)
2. by analogy, an idol

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

garrison, standing image, pillar

Feminine (causatively) participle of natsab; something stationed, i.e. A column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol -- garrison, (standing) image, pillar.

see HEBREW natsab

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from natsab
Definition
a pillar, stump
NASB Translation
obelisks (1), pillar (19), pillars (16), stump (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מַצֵּבָה, מַצֶּ֫בֶת noun feminine pillar, maƒƒ¢b¹, stump; — absolute מַצֵּבָה Hosea 3:4 +,מַצֶּ֫בֶת 2 Samuel 18:18 a (read ׳הַמּ ᵐ5 Dr Bu Kit), 2 Samuel 18:18 b Isaiah 6:13, construct מַצְּבַת 2 Kings 3:2; 2 Kings 10:27, מַצֶּ֫בֶת Genesis 35:14,20; suffix מַצַּבְתָּהּ Isaiah 6:13; plural absolute מַצֵּבוֺת 1 Kings 14:28, construct מַצְּבוֺת 2 Kings 10:26, etc.; —

1. a. pillar, as monument, personal memorial 2 Samuel 18:18 (twice in verse).

b. a stone, set up (שׂים, הציב), and anointed as memorial of divine appearance Genesis 28:18,22; Genesis 31:13 (all E), Genesis 35:14 (J); so also Genesis 33:20 (E), where insert ׳מ, or read ׳מ for ᵑ0 מִזְבֵּחַ (We Di Now^{Archaeology ii.18}), set up (שׂים), הרים, חציב in token of an agreement Genesis 31:45,51,52 (twice in verse) (all E); over grave Genesis 35:20 (twice in verse)

c. especially of sacred stones or pillars in connection with altar, erected (בנה) by Moses Exodus 24:4 (E; 12 pillars), Hosea 3:4; Hosea 10:1,2; Isaiah 19:19; conjecture also 2 Kings 12:10 for ᵑ0 מִזְבֵּחַ Sta^{ZAW v (1885), 296} Now^{Archaeology l.c.}, but dubious, see Benz^{on the passage}; (usually + אֲשֵׁרִים etc.): of Canaanites Exodus 23:24 (E), Exodus 34:13 (J), Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3 compare הַבַּלְַ ׳מ 2 Kings 3:2; 2 Kings 10:26,27; Tyre, עֻזֵּךְ ׳מ, Ezekiel 26:11, of obelisks of Heliopolis in Egypt; condemned for Israel by Deuteronomic code, and Deuteronomist redaction of Kings: Deuteronomy 16:22; 2 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 17:10; 2 Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 23:14; 2Chron 14:2; 2 Chronicles 31:1; compare Micah 5:12; Leviticus 26:1 (H). — On maƒƒ¢b¹ see further Now^{Archaeology ii.18 f.} Benz^{Archaeology 380 f.} Dr^{Deuteronomy 16:21f.} We^{Skizzen iii.99,165} RS^{Sem.i.184 ff. 437.f; 2d ed. 204 ff. 456 f.; K. 50}. **On this see also Lagrange^{Études Bibl. 197 ff.} and review by Bau^{ZMG lvii (1903), 830}; also GFM^{EB MASSEBAH} Sta^{Bib. Theol. i. § 55} OCWhitehouse^{Hast. DB PILLAR}. — Judges 9:6 see [ נָצַב] Hoph`al 2. stock, stump of tree Isaiah 6:13 a (in simile), so Isaiah 6:13 b (figurative; but probably strike out as gloss).

Topical Lexicon

Concept and Scope

מַצֵּבָה (matzēbāh) denotes a standing pillar of stone erected for religious, commemorative, or cultic purposes. Unlike an altar, it has no fire-pan or blood rites attached to it; unlike a massé·ḵāh (molten image), it is not formed by casting metal. Its function shifts across redemptive history from a legitimate memorial of covenant events to an object condemned as idolatrous.

Physical Characteristics and Settings

A מַצֵּבָה could be a single unworked monolith (Genesis 28:18) or a shaped stele (2 Kings 10:26–27). Archaeology in Syria-Palestine has uncovered similar pillars at shrines and city gates, often coated with oil, inscriptions, or bas-relief symbols. Such pillars were normally set in conspicuous places—hilltops, city approaches, temple courtyards, or beside gateways—to signal the presence of a deity or commemorate a decisive act.

Old Testament Distribution

The term appears approximately thirty-two times, spanning Genesis through Micah. Genesis features it as an acceptable witness to Yahweh’s self-revelation (Genesis 28:18; 35:14; 35:20). The Exodus-Joshua corpus warns against Canaanite pillars (Exodus 23:24; 34:13; Deuteronomy 12:3; 16:22). The Former and Latter Prophets portray their proliferation in apostasy (1 Kings 14:23; Hosea 10:1), while reforming kings and prophets destroy them (2 Kings 18:4; 23:14; Micah 5:13).

Representative Passages

• Genesis 28:18 – “Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it.”
• Exodus 23:24 – “You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces.”
• Deuteronomy 16:22 – “You must not set up a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates.”
• 1 Kings 14:23 – “For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.”
• Hosea 10:1 – “…the more his fruit increased, the more he multiplied altars; the better his land produced, the better they made their sacred stones.”
• 2 Kings 18:4 – “He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles…”

From Memorial to Idolatry

1. Patriarchal commemoration: Jacob’s pillars memorialize divine encounters and covenant promises (Genesis 28; 35). These pillars stand untouched by later prohibitions because their dedication was exclusively to Yahweh and they bear no iconographic image.
2. Syncretistic corruption: Upon Israel’s entry into Canaan, the same architectural form is co-opted for Baal and Asherah worship. The Lord therefore commands Israel to demolish indigenous pillars lest syncretism ensnare them (Exodus 34:12-16).
3. Royal and prophetic reforms: Hezekiah, Josiah, and Jehu break and burn pillars as part of renewing covenant fidelity. Their actions highlight the incompatibility of Yahweh’s transcendence with visualized stone representations.
4. Eschatological cleansing: Micah 5:13 anticipates a day when the Lord Himself “will destroy your idols and your sacred stones” to secure undivided worship.

Theological Themes

• Exclusivity of Worship: The progression from permissive to prohibitive usage demonstrates God’s zeal for pure devotion untainted by Canaanite forms.
• Memorial Theology: Legitimate מַצֵּבָה memorials celebrate divine faithfulness; illegitimate ones substitute visible stone for the invisible God, violating the second commandment.
• Reform and Revival: Breaking pillars becomes a hallmark of true revival, illustrating that covenant renewal demands tangible repudiation of idolatry.
• Covenant Witness: In early narratives the standing stone functions as a witness—both to God’s promises (Genesis 28) and to human vows (Genesis 31:45-52). Its later outlawing underscores that Christ, not stone, is now the ultimate “cornerstone” and covenant witness.

Ministry Application

1. Guard Against Syncretism: Modern ministry must continually evaluate cultural symbols incorporated into worship lest they eclipse Christ’s sufficiency.
2. Visible Reminders: While physical memorials (e.g., communion table, baptismal waters) remain valuable, their power lies in pointing beyond themselves to God’s redemptive acts.
3. Reformative Leadership: Like Hezekiah and Josiah, church leaders should courageously dismantle any practice or tradition that competes with God’s glory.
4. Christ the True Pillar: Hebrews 1:3 identifies Jesus as “the radiance of God’s glory,” fulfilling every legitimate function of the ancient sacred pillar—He both reveals God and secures the covenant.

Conclusion

מַצֵּבָה offers a sobering case study in how symbols, even when grounded in authentic encounter, can drift into idolatry when detached from God’s word. The faith community is therefore called to continual discernment, ensuring that every memorial and ministry practice magnifies the Lord alone.

Forms and Transliterations

הַמַּצֵּב֔וֹת הַמַּצֵּב֣וֹת הַמַּצֵּבָ֑ה הַמַּצֵּבָ֥ה הַמַּצֵּבֹ֔ת הַמַצֵּבָ֔ה המצבה המצבות המצבת וּמַצְּב֥וֹת וּמַצֵּב֖וֹת וּמַצֵּבָ֥ה וּמַצֵּבָה֙ וּמַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם וּמַצֵּבוֹתֶ֖יךָ ומצבה ומצבות ומצבותיך ומצבתם מַצְּב֥וֹת מַצְּבַ֣ת מַצְּבוֹת֙ מַצֵּ֣בֹתָ֔ם מַצֵּב֖וֹת מַצֵּבָ֑ה מַצֵּבָ֔ה מַצֵּבָ֖ה מַצֵּבָ֗ה מַצֵּבָֽה׃ מַצֵּבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ מַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם מַצֵּבֽוֹת׃ מַצֵּבוֹתָֽם׃ מצבה מצבה׃ מצבות מצבות׃ מצבותם׃ מצבת מצבתיהם׃ מצבתם ha·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh ham·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh ham·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·wṯ ham·maṣ·ṣê·ḇōṯ hamaṣṣêḇāh hamatztzeVah hammaṣṣêḇāh hammaṣṣêḇōṯ hammaṣṣêḇōwṯ hammatztzeVah hammatztzeVot maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh maṣ·ṣə·ḇaṯ maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯê·hem maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·w·ṯām maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·wṯ maṣ·ṣə·ḇō·wṯ maṣṣêḇāh maṣṣəḇaṯ maṣṣêḇōṯām maṣṣêḇōṯêhem maṣṣêḇōwṯ maṣṣəḇōwṯ maṣṣêḇōwṯām matztzeVah matztzeVat matztzeVot matztzevoTam matztzevoteiHem ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·w·ṯe·ḵā ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·wṯ ū·maṣ·ṣə·ḇō·wṯ ūmaṣṣêḇāh ūmaṣṣêḇōṯām ūmaṣṣêḇōwṯ ūmaṣṣəḇōwṯ ūmaṣṣêḇōwṯeḵā umatztzeVah umatztzeVot umatztzevoTam umatztzevoTeicha

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 28:18
HEB: וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֹתָ֖הּ מַצֵּבָ֑ה וַיִּצֹ֥ק שֶׁ֖מֶן
NAS: and set it up as a pillar and poured
KJV: and set it up [for] a pillar, and poured
INT: his head and set A pillar and poured oil

Genesis 28:22
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ שַׂ֙מְתִּי֙ מַצֵּבָ֔ה יִהְיֶ֖ה בֵּ֣ית
NAS: I have set up as a pillar, will be God's
KJV: which I have set [for] a pillar, shall be God's
INT: which have set A pillar become house

Genesis 31:13
HEB: מָשַׁ֤חְתָּ שָּׁם֙ מַצֵּבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָדַ֥רְתָּ
NAS: you anointed a pillar, where
KJV: where thou anointedst the pillar, [and] where thou vowedst
INT: anointed in it A pillar you made

Genesis 31:45
HEB: אָ֑בֶן וַיְרִימֶ֖הָ מַצֵּבָֽה׃
NAS: a stone and set it up [as] a pillar.
KJV: a stone, and set it up [for] a pillar.
INT: A stone and set up a pillar

Genesis 31:51
HEB: הַזֶּ֗ה וְהִנֵּה֙ הַמַצֵּבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָרִ֖יתִי
NAS: and behold the pillar which
KJV: Behold this heap, and behold [this] pillar, which I have cast
INT: this and behold the pillar which have set

Genesis 31:52
HEB: הַזֶּ֔ה וְעֵדָ֖ה הַמַּצֵּבָ֑ה אִם־ אָ֗נִי
NAS: is a witness, and the pillar is a witness,
KJV: [be] witness, and [this] pillar [be] witness,
INT: This witness and the pillar lo I

Genesis 31:52
HEB: הַזֶּ֛ה וְאֶת־ הַמַּצֵּבָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לְרָעָֽה׃
NAS: heap and this pillar to me, for harm.
KJV: this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.
INT: heap this pillar for harm

Genesis 35:14
HEB: וַיַּצֵּ֨ב יַעֲקֹ֜ב מַצֵּבָ֗ה בַּמָּק֛וֹם אֲשֶׁר־
NAS: set up a pillar in the place
KJV: set up a pillar in the place
INT: set Jacob A pillar the place where

Genesis 35:20
HEB: וַיַּצֵּ֧ב יַעֲקֹ֛ב מַצֵּבָ֖ה עַל־ קְבֻרָתָ֑הּ
NAS: Jacob set up a pillar over her grave;
KJV: set a pillar upon her grave:
INT: set Jacob A pillar over her grave

Exodus 23:24
HEB: וְשַׁבֵּ֥ר תְּשַׁבֵּ֖ר מַצֵּבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃
NAS: them and break their [sacred] pillars in pieces.
KJV: break down their images.
INT: and break pieces their pillars

Exodus 24:4
HEB: וּשְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ מַצֵּבָ֔ה לִשְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר
NAS: with twelve pillars for the twelve
KJV: under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve
INT: both ten pillars both ten

Exodus 34:13
HEB: תִּתֹּצ֔וּן וְאֶת־ מַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם תְּשַׁבֵּר֑וּן וְאֶת־
NAS: and smash their [sacred] pillars and cut down
KJV: break their images, and cut down
INT: their altars tear their pillars and smash their Asherim

Leviticus 26:1
HEB: אֱלִילִ֗ם וּפֶ֤סֶל וּמַצֵּבָה֙ לֹֽא־ תָקִ֣ימוּ
NAS: up for yourselves an image or a [sacred] pillar, nor
KJV: neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up
INT: idols an image A pillar nor set

Deuteronomy 7:5
HEB: מִזְבְּחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם תִּתֹּ֔צוּ וּמַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם תְּשַׁבֵּ֑רוּ וַאֲשֵֽׁירֵהֶם֙
NAS: and smash their [sacred] pillars, and hew down
KJV: and break down their images, and cut down
INT: their altars shall tear their pillars and smash their Asherim

Deuteronomy 12:3
HEB: וְשִׁבַּרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־ מַצֵּ֣בֹתָ֔ם וַאֲשֵֽׁרֵיהֶם֙ תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּן
NAS: and smash their [sacred] pillars and burn
KJV: and break their pillars, and burn
INT: their altars and smash their pillars their Asherim and burn

Deuteronomy 16:22
HEB: תָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ מַצֵּבָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׂנֵ֖א
NAS: You shall not set up for yourself a [sacred] pillar which
KJV: Neither shalt thou set thee up [any] image; which the LORD
INT: shall not set A pillar which hates

1 Kings 14:23
HEB: לָהֶ֛ם בָּמ֥וֹת וּמַצֵּב֖וֹת וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל
NAS: for themselves high places and [sacred] pillars and Asherim
KJV: them high places, and images, and groves,
INT: themselves high and pillars and Asherim on

2 Kings 3:2
HEB: וַיָּ֙סַר֙ אֶת־ מַצְּבַ֣ת הַבַּ֔עַל אֲשֶׁ֥ר
NAS: for he put away the [sacred] pillar of Baal
KJV: for he put away the image of Baal
INT: and his mother put the pillar of Baal which

2 Kings 10:26
HEB: וַיֹּצִ֛אוּ אֶת־ מַצְּב֥וֹת בֵּית־ הַבַּ֖עַל
NAS: They brought out the [sacred] pillars of the house
KJV: And they brought forth the images out of the house
INT: brought the pillars of the house of Baal

2 Kings 10:27
HEB: וַֽיִּתְּצ֔וּ אֵ֖ת מַצְּבַ֣ת הַבָּ֑עַל וַֽיִּתְּצוּ֙
NAS: down the [sacred] pillar of Baal
KJV: And they brake down the image of Baal,
INT: broke the pillar of Baal down

2 Kings 17:10
HEB: וַיַּצִּ֧בוּ לָהֶ֛ם מַצֵּב֖וֹת וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל
NAS: They set for themselves [sacred] pillars and Asherim
KJV: And they set them up images and groves
INT: set themselves pillars and Asherim on

2 Kings 18:4
HEB: וְשִׁבַּר֙ אֶת־ הַמַּצֵּבֹ֔ת וְכָרַ֖ת אֶת־
NAS: and broke down the [sacred] pillars and cut down
KJV: and brake the images, and cut down
INT: the high and broke the pillars and cut the Asherah

2 Kings 23:14
HEB: וְשִׁבַּר֙ אֶת־ הַמַּצֵּב֔וֹת וַיִּכְרֹ֖ת אֶת־
NAS: He broke in pieces the [sacred] pillars and cut down
KJV: And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down
INT: broke the pillars and cut the Asherim

2 Chronicles 14:3
HEB: וַיְשַׁבֵּר֙ אֶת־ הַמַּצֵּב֔וֹת וַיְגַדַּ֖ע אֶת־
NAS: tore down the [sacred] pillars, cut down
KJV: and brake down the images, and cut down
INT: and high tore the pillars cut the Asherim

2 Chronicles 31:1
HEB: יְהוּדָה֒ וַיְשַׁבְּר֣וּ הַמַּצֵּב֣וֹת וַיְגַדְּע֣וּ הָאֲשֵׁרִ֡ים
NAS: broke the pillars in pieces,
KJV: and brake the images in pieces,
INT: of Judah broke the pillars cut the Asherim

32 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4676
32 Occurrences

ha·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh — 1 Occ.
ham·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh — 2 Occ.
ham·maṣ·ṣê·ḇōṯ — 4 Occ.
maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh — 9 Occ.
maṣ·ṣə·ḇaṯ — 2 Occ.
maṣ·ṣə·ḇō·wṯ — 4 Occ.
maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām — 3 Occ.
maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯê·hem — 1 Occ.
ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh — 2 Occ.
ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·wṯ — 2 Occ.
ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām — 1 Occ.
ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·w·ṯe·ḵā — 1 Occ.