מַצָּב (mats.tsav)
mats.tsav
station
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun matsav denotes a fixed position or station, often referring to a specific place where someone stands or is stationed. In its most literal sense, it describes a standing-place for feet, grounding the concept in physical presence and stability. This concrete imagery extends to military contexts, where it signifies a garrison, outpost, or post held by soldiers.
Across its ten occurrences in Scripture, the word appears prominently in historical narratives like Joshua and Samuel, as well as in prophetic texts such as Isaiah. For instance, it is used to describe the strategic positions of troops or the specific locations where leaders stand during significant events. The term carries a sense of permanence and purpose, distinguishing a designated spot from a transient or random location.
Its root suggests a firm establishment, reinforcing the idea of a position that is held with intent. Translators often render it as "station," "post," or "standing-place" depending on whether the context is military, ceremonial, or simply descriptive of physical posture. This versatility allows the word to bridge the gap between simple physical stance and organized, purposeful deployment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word matsav describes a fixed position or station, often marking where someone stands with purpose. In Joshua, it highlights the precise spot where priests’ feet stood firm in the Jordan River, anchoring a moment of divine intervention in physical reality. This imagery reminds us that God meets us in specific places and times, grounding our faith in tangible history rather than abstract ideas.
In Samuel, the term shifts to military outposts, showing how strategic positions defined battles between Israel and the Philistines. Jonathan’s decision to approach a garrison illustrates courage rooted in trust, not just tactical advantage. These stations were not random; they held significance for those assigned to them, reflecting God’s sovereignty over both peace and conflict.
Isaiah uses matsav metaphorically, describing a fall from office as being pulled down from one’s station. This reminds us that all positions—whether spiritual, social, or personal—are temporary and subject to God’s authority. Our true stability lies not in earthly roles but in our connection to Him, who establishes and removes according to His will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] garrison of5×
- the/ garrison1×
- from/ office/ your1×
- from/ [the] standing-place of1×
- and/ a garrison of1×
- [the] standing-place of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַצַּ֣ב3×
- מַצַּב֙2×
- מַצַּ֖ב1×
- מִ/מַּצָּבֶ֑/ךָ1×
- מִ/מַּצַּב֙1×
- וּ/מַצַּ֣ב1×
- הַ/מַּצָּב֙1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 4:9
Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.
This verse marks the exact location where priests stood firm in the Jordan, preserving a permanent memorial of God’s power.
-
I Samuel 14:6
Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come! Let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that Yahweh will work for us, for there is no restraint on Yahweh to save by many or by few.”
Jonathan identifies the Philistine garrison as a target for divine action, emphasizing that no station is beyond God’s reach.
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Isaiah 22:19
I will thrust you from your office. You will be pulled down from your station.
Here, matsav symbolizes authority and position, showing how God can remove someone from their place of influence.