קֹ֫צֶר (qo.tser)
qo.tser
shortness
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 qotser conveys a sense of shortness that extends beyond physical dimensions to describe emotional or psychological constriction. In its single biblical occurrence in Exodus 6:9, it is translated as impatience or anguish, capturing the heavy feeling of being trapped by circumstances. The text describes Moses speaking to the Israelites, who were unable to listen because their spirits were broken by hard service.
Lexical sources link this word to the root for "short," suggesting a state where one’s capacity is overwhelmed and compressed by distress. It is not merely waiting; it is a profound weariness that blocks communication and hope. The Israelites’ condition illustrates how prolonged suffering can shrink a person’s ability to receive good news, even when that news comes from God.
This usage highlights the human response to oppression: a tightening of the spirit that makes faith difficult. Translators often choose "impatience" or "anguish" to reflect this internal pressure. The word serves as a poignant reminder that spiritual receptivity can be hindered by the weight of immediate suffering, requiring divine patience and intervention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels overwhelming, our ability to hear hope can shrink. The Hebrew word qotser describes this tightness of spirit. It is not just waiting; it is a deep weariness that blocks communication. In Exodus, the Israelites could not listen to Moses because their spirits were crushed by hard service. Their pain was so real that God’s promise seemed distant.
This word reminds us that suffering changes how we receive truth. Sometimes we are too tired to believe. This is human. It does not mean faith has failed. It means the weight of the moment is heavy. We do not need to force hope when our spirits are broken. Instead, we can bring our exhaustion to God as it is.
God knows when our capacity is compressed by distress. He does not scold us for being tired. He meets us in our shortness. When you feel unable to listen or believe, rest in that knowledge. Your struggle is seen. His patience holds you even when your spirit feels too tight to breathe.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ shortness of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/קֹּ֣צֶר1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 6:9
Moses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn’t listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
This verse shows how cruel bondage can crush the spirit so thoroughly that people cannot receive God's message through Moses.