עֶ֫צֶר (e.tser)
e.tser
magistrate
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 etser appears only once in the Old Testament, in Judges 18:7. In this specific context, it describes the difficult journey of the Danite spies who travel through the hill country of Ephraim. The text notes that they encountered severe hardship or restraint, which likely refers to the oppressive terrain or the difficulty of their passage through hostile territory.
Lexical sources define the word as "restraint" or "oppression." Its root suggests a binding or holding back force. Because it is hapax legomenon—a word occurring just once—its exact nuance relies entirely on this single narrative instance. The spies faced physical and social barriers that hindered their mission, illustrating how external pressures can impede movement and progress.
Translators often render etser as "hardship" or "difficulty" to convey the sense of being held back by circumstances. This rare term highlights the tangible obstacles Israelite tribes faced during the period of the Judges. The word serves as a reminder that spiritual journeys often involve navigating difficult, constrained environments before reaching their destination.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word etser appears only once in Scripture, in Judges 18:7. It describes the severe hardship or restraint the Danite spies faced while traveling through hostile territory. This single occurrence reminds us that our spiritual journeys often involve navigating difficult and constrained environments before reaching our destination.
When you encounter obstacles that seem to hold you back, remember that God is present in those moments of struggle. The spies' experience shows that external pressures can impede progress, but they do not stop God's plan. Trust that He guides you through every barrier.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- oppression1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֶ֔צֶר1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 18:7
Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in safety, in the way of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was no one in the land possessing authority, that might put them to shame in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no dealings with anyone else.
This verse uses etser to describe the severe hardship or restraint the Danite spies faced, highlighting the tangible obstacles they encountered during their mission.