Lexical Summary misgab: Refuge, stronghold, high tower Original Word: מִשְׂגָּב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Misgab From sagab; properly, a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place); abstractly, altitude; figuratively, a refuge -- defence, high fort (tower), refuge, Misgab, a place in Moab -- Misgab. see HEBREW sagab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sagab Definition a secure height, retreat, stronghold NASB Translation lofty stronghold (1), refuge (1), stronghold (14), unassailable (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. מִשְׂגַּב noun [masculine AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 60] secure height, retreat; — ׳מ Psalm +; construct מִשְׂגַּב Isaiah 25:12; suffix מִשְׂגַּבִּי Psalm 18:3 +, etc.; — 1. a. = strong-hold, חֹמֹתֶיךָ ׳מִבְצַר מ Isaiah 25:12. b. figurative of security Isaiah 33:16. 2 figurative of God as refuge Psalm 9:10 (twice in verse), Psalm 18:3 = 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 46:8; Psalm 46:12; Psalm 48:4; Psalm 59:10; Psalm 59:17; Psalm 59:18; Psalm 62:3; Psalm 62:7; Psalm 94:22; Psalm 144:2. II. מִשְׂגָּב Perhaps proper name, of a location in Moab; — ׳הַמּ Jeremiah 48:1 (see SchwZAW viii (1888), 196 Albrl.c.), Αμαθ; Gf thinks appell. of Kir Moab (see II. קִיר); most below I. ׳מ 1. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Concept of Misgav The Hebrew noun מִשְׂגָּב (misgav) communicates the image of an elevated refuge—an inaccessible height from which safety, perspective, and confidence are enjoyed. The biblical writers employ the term poetically to declare the LORD Himself as an unassailable place of security, and historically to describe literal strongholds whose perceived impregnability dramatizes divine protection. Occurrences and Literary Distribution • Historical narrative: 2 Samuel 22:3 links David’s personal experience of military deliverance to the portrayal of God as his “stronghold.” Theological Significance Misgav represents more than physical security; it embodies covenant faithfulness. The “stronghold” is inseparable from the LORD’s name, nature, and promises. Whenever the term surfaces, the focus remains on who God is rather than on the fortification itself. The psalmists, for example, consistently pair misgav with metaphors such as “rock,” “shield,” and “horn of salvation,” forming a composite picture of comprehensive divine defense. Key Texts Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 9:9: “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 94:22: “But the LORD has been my stronghold, and my God is my rock of refuge.” Isaiah 33:16 contrasts the righteous man’s secure “stronghold of rocks” with the instability of the wicked, highlighting moral conditions for enjoying God’s protection. Historical and Geographical Imagery Ancient Near Eastern cities often exploited naturally defensible heights; Jerusalem itself rises above surrounding valleys. David’s flight from Saul acquainted him with wilderness strongholds (1 Samuel 23:14, though misgav is not used there). Such physical realities supplied tangible illustrations: the height is safe because assailants cannot scale it. By appropriating this imagery, the biblical authors inculcate confidence that the Most High is higher still. Covenantal Implications The recurring pledge “The LORD is my stronghold” ties security to covenant relationship. This assurance is not a blanket promise to all people indiscriminately but belongs to those who fear the LORD, love His name, and trust His steadfast love. Psalm 59:16 fuses the personal (“my God”) with the communal (“strength of my refuge”), reminding Israel that national security derives from covenant fidelity, not from walls or alliances. Messianic Foreshadowing and Christological Fulfillment Davidic usage of misgav anticipates the Messiah who would perfectly trust the Father and become the ultimate refuge for His people. In Jesus Christ, believers find the fulfillment of every Old Testament stronghold promise. Colossians 3:3 declares, “you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God,” echoing the elevated safety implied by misgav. Christ’s exaltation “far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:21) secures the believer in a position no enemy can penetrate. Pastoral and Devotional Applications 1. Assurance in trial: Rehearsing misgav texts equips believers to resist fear and anxiety. Implications for Spiritual Warfare Whereas human strongholds can become objects of pride (Isaiah 25:12 condemns Moab’s false security), divine misgav humbles the believer, redirecting dependence to God alone. Spiritual warfare, therefore, involves demolishing “strongholds” of argument and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4)—a New Testament application of the Old Testament theme. Eschatological Aspects Isaiah 33:16 projects a future in which the righteous inhabit impregnable heights, foreshadowing the New Jerusalem whose walls are symbolic of unending safety (Revelation 21:12). Until that consummation, the people of God experience foretastes of ultimate security through fellowship with the risen Christ, their eternal misgav. Summary Misgav gathers Israel’s memory of rocky citadels and transposes it into a spiritual key: the LORD alone is high enough, strong enough, and faithful enough to protect His people forever. Every occurrence of the word summons the reader to flee to Him, rejoice in Him, and proclaim Him as the only true stronghold. Forms and Transliterations הַמִּשְׂגָּ֖ב המשגב לְמִשְׂגָּ֑ב לְמִשְׂגָּֽב׃ למשגב למשגב׃ מִ֝שְׂגַּבִּ֗י מִ֝שְׂגָּ֗ב מִשְׂגַּ֣ב מִשְׂגַּבִּ֪י מִשְׂגַּבִּֽי׃ מִשְׂגַּבִּי֙ מִשְׂגַּבּ֑וֹ מִשְׂגָּ֣ב מִשְׂגָּֽב־ משגב משגב־ משגבו משגבי משגבי׃ ham·miś·gāḇ hammiśgāḇ hammisGav lə·miś·gāḇ ləmiśgāḇ lemisGav miś·gaḇ miś·gāḇ miś·gāḇ- miś·gab·bî miś·gab·bōw miśgaḇ miśgāḇ miśgāḇ- misgabBi miśgabbî misgabBo miśgabbōw misGavLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 22:3 HEB: וְקֶ֣רֶן יִשְׁעִ֗י מִשְׂגַּבִּי֙ וּמְנוּסִ֔י מֹשִׁעִ֕י NAS: of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; KJV: of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, INT: and the horn of my salvation my stronghold and my refuge my savior Psalm 9:9 Psalm 9:9 Psalm 18:2 Psalm 46:7 Psalm 46:11 Psalm 48:3 Psalm 59:9 Psalm 59:16 Psalm 59:17 Psalm 62:2 Psalm 62:6 Psalm 94:22 Psalm 144:2 Isaiah 25:12 Isaiah 33:16 Jeremiah 48:1 17 Occurrences |
    |