Lexical Summary matsowd: Fortress, stronghold, net, bulwark Original Word: מָצוֹד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bulwark, hold, net, snare Or (feminine) mtsowdah {mets-o-daw'}; or mtsodah {mets-o-daw'}; from tsuwd; a net (for capturing animals or fishes) -- also (by interchange for mtsad) a fastness or (beseiging) tower -- bulwark, hold, munition, net, snare. see HEBREW tsuwd see HEBREW mtsad Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [מָצוֺד] noun masculine in plural, dubious, usually siege-works; — מְצוֺדִים נְּדֹלִים Ecclesiastes 9:14, but read מְצוּרִים WklAltor. Forsch. iv. 353, see מָצוֺר 2, p. 849 a. II. [מָצוֺד] noun [masculine] hunting implement, specifically net (compare Syriac I. מְצוֺדָה noun feminine net; — ׳מ Ecclesiastes 9:12 for fish (in simile); — plural Ezekiel 19:9 see מְצָד above II. [מְצוֺדָה] noun feminine fastness, stronghold; — suffix מְצֹדָתָהּ Isaiah 29:7 (of Ariel); — plural Ezekiel 19:9 see מְצָד. Topical Lexicon Meaning and ImageryThe term מָצוֹד conveys two allied pictures. First, it can speak of a hunting device—net, snare, trap—designed to capture prey. Second, it can denote a military work—stronghold, bulwark, siege-tower—built to confine or overpower an enemy. Whether in the open field or on a city wall, the word always carries the idea of something constructed to seize, restrain, or dominate. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Proverbs 12:12 contrasts the “plunder” (מָצוֹד) sought by the wicked with the enduring root of the righteous. The picture is of men who covet the gain produced by traps rather than the fruit produced by integrity. Symbolic Significance Snare and stronghold share a single spiritual lesson: human schemes that appear powerful are in fact fragile before the LORD. The wicked rely on devices—either subtle enticements (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) or massive fortifications (Ecclesiastes, Isaiah)—but all are dismantled by divine wisdom and sovereignty. Conversely, the righteous flourish apart from such contrivances. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Israel knew both sides of מָצוֹד. Hunters spread nets for birds and small game; armies erected earthen ramps, towers, and wooden palisades against walled towns. Siege lines aimed to starve a city into surrender, while the besieged tried to build counter-defenses. The same ingenuity used for survival in the wilderness was scaled up for warfare, reinforcing the lexical overlap between “trap” and “stronghold.” Theological and Practical Applications • Moral vigilance: Ecclesiastes 7:26 warns that sin often presents itself as an attractive lure. Disciples must be alert, lest passion becomes the noose that enslaves (James 1:14-15). Christological and Redemptive Anticipation Jesus Christ experienced both aspects of מָצוֹד. His adversaries “plotted to entrap Him in His words” (Matthew 22:15), yet every snare failed. At the cross the rulers of this age erected their strongest siege against Him, but the resurrection turned their ramparts into rubble, “disarming the powers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15). In Him the believer is delivered from every net and sheltered in an unshakable fortress (Psalm 18:2). Related Concepts Snare (פַּח), net (רֶשֶׁת), fortress (מָעוֹז), bulwark (חֵיל), stronghold (מְצוּדָה). Each highlights either the craftiness of sin or the false confidence of human strength, both nullified by the Lord’s saving power. Summary of Lessons מָצוֹד reminds readers that what humanity builds to capture others eventually captures itself, while those who fear God escape and endure. Whether facing seductive temptation or overwhelming opposition, the faithful look beyond visible structures to the unseen God who alone is a “refuge and fortress” (Psalm 91:2). Forms and Transliterations וּמְצֹ֣דָתָ֔הּ ומצדתה מְצ֣וֹד מְצוֹדִ֥ים מְצוֹדִ֧ים מצוד מצודים mə·ṣō·w·ḏîm mə·ṣō·wḏ məṣōwḏ məṣōwḏîm meTzod metzoDim ū·mə·ṣō·ḏā·ṯāh ūməṣōḏāṯāh umeTzodaTahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 12:12 HEB: חָמַ֣ד רָ֭שָׁע מְצ֣וֹד רָעִ֑ים וְשֹׁ֖רֶשׁ NAS: man desires the booty of evil men, KJV: desireth the net of evil INT: desires the wicked the booty of evil the root Ecclesiastes 7:26 Ecclesiastes 9:14 Isaiah 29:7 4 Occurrences |
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, ᵑ7 מְצַדְתָּא, net); — only figurative: construct מְצוֺד רָעִים