מַאֲבוּס (ma.a.vus)
ma.a.vus
granary
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ma’abus refers specifically to a granary or storehouse for grain and fodder. Its root relates to crushing or treading, pointing to the physical process of preparing harvests for long-term storage. In the biblical world, these structures were vital for survival, protecting essential food supplies from spoilage and pests.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Jeremiah 51:33. The prophet uses it metaphorically to describe Babylon as a threshing floor ready for processing. This vivid imagery contrasts the city’s current power with its impending judgment, showing how God can turn a nation’s strength into something that is ultimately crushed and stored away.
Translators typically render ma’abus as "granary" or "storehouse." The term emphasizes function over form, highlighting the purpose of preserving resources. Its single occurrence underscores the specific context of divine judgment on empires, linking agricultural reality with theological truth about human power and God’s sovereignty.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ma'abus describes a granary, a place where grain is stored after being threshed and crushed. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Jeremiah 51:33. There, the prophet uses it to describe Babylon as a threshing floor ready for processing. This vivid image reminds us that human power, no matter how strong, is subject to God's ultimate authority.
For your faith, this word offers comfort. It shows that God sees the big picture of history and justice. When you feel overwhelmed by the strength of opposing forces or the chaos of the world, remember that God holds all things in His hands. He is sovereign over nations and individuals alike.
This single occurrence invites us to trust in God's timing and justice. It encourages us to find peace in knowing that no empire or power can stand against His will. May this truth bring you stability and hope in your daily life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- granaries/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַאֲבֻסֶ֔י/הָ1×