מַעְצָר (ma.tsar)
ma.tsar
restraint
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 maṣṣar denotes restraint or control, specifically referring to the internal discipline that keeps one’s impulses in check. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Proverbs 25:28, where it serves as a powerful metaphor for self-governance.
The verse compares a person without maṣṣar to a city whose walls have been broken down. In ancient times, walls provided security and order; their absence left the inhabitants vulnerable to chaos and attack. Similarly, a spirit lacking restraint is exposed to every external influence and internal desire, unable to maintain boundaries or safety.
This single usage highlights the value of inner discipline as a form of protection. The word does not describe external laws but the personal capacity to hold back one’s own reactions. It suggests that true strength lies not in power over others, but in the ability to govern one’s own spirit.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word maṣṣar describes an inner guard, a discipline that keeps our impulses in check. Proverbs 25:28 paints a vivid picture of what happens when this restraint is missing. It compares a person without self-control to a city with broken walls, left open to chaos and attack. This image reminds us that true strength is not about dominating others, but about governing our own hearts.
When we feel overwhelmed by sudden anger or impulsive desires, it helps to remember the value of setting boundaries within ourselves. Restraint is a form of protection for your peace of mind. It allows you to respond with wisdom rather than reacting in haste. By cultivating this inner discipline, you create a safe space where patience and clarity can grow.
This practice does not require perfection, but rather a daily choice to pause and reflect. As you seek to hold back harmful reactions, you find stability in your spirit. May you experience the quiet strength that comes from mastering your own heart, finding peace in the order that self-control brings to your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- control1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַעְצָ֣ר1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 25:28
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
This verse uses the metaphor of a breached city wall to illustrate how a lack of inner restraint leaves a person vulnerable to chaos and external influences.