4132. mot

Lexical Summary

mot: Slip, totter, shake, fall

Original Word: מוֹט
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mowt
Pronunciation: moht
Phonetic Spelling: (mote)
KJV: bar, be moved, staff, yoke
NASB: carrying bars, pole, yoke bar
Word Origin: [from H4131 (מוֹט - shaken)]

1. a wavering, i.e. fall
2. (by implication) a pole (as shaking)
3. (hence) a yoke (as essentially a bent pole)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

bar, be moved, staff, yoke

From mowt; a wavering, i.e. Fall; by implication, a pole (as shaking); hence, a yoke (as essentially a bent pole) -- bar, be moved, staff, yoke.

see HEBREW mowt

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from mot
Definition
a shaking, pole, bar (of a yoke)
NASB Translation
carrying bars (2), pole (1), yoke bar (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מוֺט noun [masculine] shaking, pole, bar of yoke; — absolute ׳מ Numbers 4:10 5t.; suffix מֹטֵ֫הוּ Nahum 1:13; —

1 a shaking; tottering (c. negative, of security) לַצַּדִּיק לֹאיִֿתֵּן ׳מ Psalm 55:23; רַגְלֵנוּ ׳לֹא נָתַן לַמ Psalm 66:9, compare Psalm 121:3.

2 pole, or bar for carrying (named from springing motion) Numbers 4:10,12 compare especially Numbers 13:23.

3 bar of yoke Nahum 1:13 (אֶשְׁבֹּר מֹטֵהוּ מֵעָלַיַךְ), figurative of oppression. compare following.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 4132 מוֹט gathers together ideas of bearing, burden, stability, and deliverance. Whether describing a physical pole, a tyrant’s yoke, or the absence of slipping feet, its occurrences form a coherent testimony to the Lord who both carries His people and keeps them from being moved.

Physical Implements: Pole and Carrying Frame (Numbers 4:10; 4:12; 13:23)

In the wilderness the Kohathites were commanded to “place it on a carrying frame” (Numbers 4:10) when transporting the altar and its utensils. The same word is used again in verse 12 and recurs when the spies “carried [the cluster] on a pole between two men” (Numbers 13:23). Two themes emerge:

1. Sacred service—The poles ensured that holy objects never fell into common touch, underscoring reverence for God’s presence.
2. Shared burden—The spies’ pole required two men, portraying fellowship in labor and, by extension, the shared calling of God’s people to bear testimony to the goodness of the land.

Symbol of Burden and Liberation (Nahum 1:13)

“For now I will break his yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away”. The same noun that once served Israel in worship here represents Assyria’s oppression. The Lord who ordained poles for holy service also breaks poles of tyranny. The verse anticipates the fuller liberation accomplished in the Messiah, echoing “My yoke is easy” (Matthew 11:30).

Figure of Stability and Preservation (Psalm 66:9; 121:3)

“He keeps our feet from stumbling” (Psalm 66:9). “He will not allow your foot to slip” (Psalm 121:3). The word shifts from a literal pole to the abstract idea of being moved. God’s covenant faithfulness is pictured as an invisible support under the believer’s steps:
• Continual care—The present participle in Psalm 121:3 highlights unceasing vigilance.
• Pilgrimage assurance—Both Psalms belong to worship contexts, assuring worshipers their journey to Zion will not be shaken.

Theological Synthesis

1. God provides means for worship (carrying frames).
2. God summons communal cooperation (two spies bearing fruit).
3. God intervenes to destroy oppressive structures (yoke broken).
4. God stabilizes the life-path of His people (feet kept from slipping).

The same God who assigns burdens equips, accompanies, and ultimately removes every enslaving weight.

Ministry Implications

• Service: Leaders should ensure that ministry “poles” enable, not hinder, the reverent handling of sacred trust.
• Fellowship: Gospel labor is designed for shared shoulders; no one carries the testimony alone.
• Liberation: Preaching must declare both the reality of oppression and the certainty of God’s deliverance.
• Assurance: Pastoral care anchors believers in the promise that their steps are fixed by a sleepless Guardian.

Selected References

Numbers 4:10; Numbers 4:12; Numbers 13:23; Psalm 66:9; Psalm 121:3; Nahum 1:13

Forms and Transliterations

בַמּ֖וֹט במוט הַמּֽוֹט׃ המוט׃ לַמּ֣וֹט למוט מֹטֵ֖הוּ מטהו ḇam·mō·wṭ ḇammōwṭ ham·mō·wṭ hamMot hammōwṭ lam·mō·wṭ lamMot lammōwṭ mō·ṭê·hū moTehu mōṭêhū vamMot

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 4:10
HEB: וְנָתְנ֖וּ עַל־ הַמּֽוֹט׃
NAS: and shall put it on the carrying bars.
KJV: skins, and shall put [it] upon a bar.
INT: and shall put on the carrying

Numbers 4:12
HEB: וְנָתְנ֖וּ עַל־ הַמּֽוֹט׃
NAS: and put them on the carrying bars.
KJV: skins, and shall put [them] on a bar:
INT: and put on the carrying

Numbers 13:23
HEB: אֶחָ֔ד וַיִּשָּׂאֻ֥הוּ בַמּ֖וֹט בִּשְׁנָ֑יִם וּמִן־
NAS: and they carried it on a pole between two
KJV: it between two upon a staff; and [they brought] of the pomegranates,
INT: A single carried A pole two some

Psalm 66:9
HEB: וְלֹֽא־ נָתַ֖ן לַמּ֣וֹט רַגְלֵֽנוּ׃
KJV: not our feet to be moved.
INT: and does not allow to be moved our feet

Psalm 121:3
HEB: אַל־ יִתֵּ֣ן לַמּ֣וֹט רַגְלֶ֑ךָ אַל־
KJV: thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth
INT: not will allow to be moved your foot shall not

Nahum 1:13
HEB: וְעַתָּ֕ה אֶשְׁבֹּ֥ר מֹטֵ֖הוּ מֵֽעָלָ֑יִךְ וּמוֹסְרֹתַ֖יִךְ
NAS: I will break his yoke bar from upon you, And I will tear off
KJV: For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst
INT: now will break his yoke and your shackles

6 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4132
6 Occurrences

ham·mō·wṭ — 2 Occ.
lam·mō·wṭ — 2 Occ.
mō·ṭê·hū — 1 Occ.
ḇam·mō·wṭ — 1 Occ.