מַחְתֶּ֫רֶת (mach.te.ret)
mach.te.ret
breaking
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 machte-ret refers to a forcible entry into a home, essentially describing the act of breaking in or burglary. It appears only once in the Old Testament, located in Jeremiah 7:11. In this context, the prophet uses the term to highlight the hypocrisy of the people who treat their temple as a place of refuge while engaging in criminal behavior outside.
The word derives from a root meaning "to break" or "to breach," emphasizing the violent nature of the intrusion rather than a legal or consensual entry. By invoking this specific crime, Jeremiah condemns those who seek God’s protection while violating His moral law through theft and violence. The term underscores the contradiction between religious ritual and ethical conduct.
Translators typically render machte-ret as "den of robbers" or "place of burglary," depending on the version. This single occurrence serves as a sharp critique of empty religiosity, reminding readers that divine sanctuary cannot shield those who commit unjust acts. The word’s rarity makes its appearance in Jeremiah particularly striking, anchoring the prophet’s message in concrete social injustice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word madeh-ret describes a violent intrusion, a breaking-in that violates the safety of a home. In Jeremiah 7:11, this term exposes a deep hypocrisy where people treat God’s temple as a shield for their crimes. It reminds us that religious rituals cannot cover up unethical behavior or a life marked by injustice. True faith requires integrity in both public worship and private actions.
When we face times of trouble, it is natural to seek refuge in God. However, this passage challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we seeking protection while ignoring the needs of others? Or are we aligning our lives with the justice and love that God desires? This word invites us to pursue a faith that is honest and whole.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in <the>/ breaking in1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַ/מַּחְתֶּ֥רֶת1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 2:34
Also the blood of the souls of the innocent poor is found in your skirts. You didn’t find them breaking in, but it is because of all these things.
This verse uses the concept of breaking in to show that the people's guilt comes from their own actions, not from an external attack.