Lexical Summary mot: Slip, totter, shake, fall Original Word: מוֹט 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 Originfrom 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. 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: Theological Synthesis 1. God provides means for worship (carrying frames). 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. 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 vamMotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Numbers 13:23 Psalm 66:9 Psalm 121:3 Nahum 1:13 6 Occurrences |