Original Word: מָצוֹד
Part of Speech: noun masculine; noun masculine; noun feminine; noun feminine
Transliteration: matsowd
Pronunciation: maw-tsode'
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-tsode')
Definition: a net, a, fastness, tower
Meaning: The term מָצוֹד (matsod) primarily refers to a "net" or "trap" used for hunting. It can also denote a "fastness" or "tower," suggesting a place of defense or refuge.

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb צוּד (tsud), meaning "to hunt" or "to lay a trap."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G293 (amphiblestron): Refers to a "net" used for fishing, similar to the trapping aspect of מָצוֹד.
• G5438 (phylake): Denotes a "prison" or "guard," paralleling the idea of being confined or trapped.
• G5482 (charax): Means a "palisade" or "rampart," akin to the defensive aspect of מָצוֹד as a stronghold or tower.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of מָצוֹד, illustrating its dual role in biblical literature as both a symbol of entrapment and a metaphor for protection and security.

Usage: The word מָצוֹד appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Bible, often symbolizing entrapment or a place of security. It is used metaphorically to describe situations of being ensnared or protected.

Context: • Net/Trap: In its primary sense, מָצוֹד is used to describe a device for capturing animals, reflecting the idea of being caught or ensnared. This usage is evident in passages where the imagery of a net is employed to convey danger or entrapment.
• Fastness/Tower: The term also extends to describe a fortified place, such as a tower or stronghold, providing safety and protection. This duality of meaning highlights the contrast between being trapped and being secure.
• Biblical References:
• In 1 Samuel 23:14, David stays in the "strongholds" (מָצוֹד) in the wilderness, indicating a place of refuge.
• In Psalm 31:4, the psalmist prays, "You will free me from the net (מָצוֹד) they have secretly laid for me, for You are my refuge."
• In Ecclesiastes 9:12, the unpredictability of life is likened to being caught in a "net" (מָצוֹד).

I. [מָצוֺד] noun masculine in plural, dubious, usually siege-works; — מְצוֺדִים נְּדֹלִים Ecclesiastes 9:14, but read מְצוּרִים Wkl^{Altor. Forsch. iv. 353}, see מָצוֺר 2, p. 849 a.

II. [מָצוֺד] noun [masculine] hunting implement, specifically net (compare Syriac , ᵑ7 מְצַדְתָּא, net); — only figurative: construct מְצוֺד רָעִים Proverbs 12:12 (but text dubious, see conjecture in Toy); suffix מְצוּדוֺ Job 19:5 (of God as Job's hunter); plural מְצוֺדִים וַחֲרָמִים לִנָּהּ Ecclesiastes 7:26 (of woman).

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.

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

וּמְצֹ֣דָתָ֔הּ ומצדתה מְצ֣וֹד מְצוֹדִ֥ים מְצוֹדִ֧ים מצוד מצודים mə·ṣō·w·ḏîm mə·ṣō·wḏ məṣōwḏ məṣōwḏîm meTzod metzoDim ū·mə·ṣō·ḏā·ṯāh ūməṣōḏāṯāh umeTzodaTahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts