Lexical Summary mitstsabah: Pillar, Monument, Memorial Stone Original Word: מַצָּבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance army, garrison Or mitstsabah {mits-tsaw-baw'}; feminine of matstsab; a military guard -- army, garrison. see HEBREW matstsab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of matstsab Definition perhaps a guard, watch NASB Translation army (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַצָּבָה noun feminine ׳אַנְשֵׁי מ 1 Samuel 14:12 see מַצָּב. מִצָּבָה noun feminine guard, watch ? — only וְחָנִיתִי ׳לְבֵיתִי מ Zechariah 9:8 and I encamp as watch for my house (so We Now GASm, but dubious; Kue Sta MartiKau GASm read מַצָּבָה, but this probably non-existent, see above; ᵑ0 apparently intends because of a host = מִצָּבא). Topical Lexicon Concept Overview “מַצָּבָה” portrays a fixed military position—an outpost or garrison—established to secure territory, control strategic routes, and serve as an early-warning station. The idea of standing firmly in place is inherent; the position is not transient but deliberately set to guard what has been gained. Biblical Occurrences • 1 Samuel 14:12 presents the Philistine “garrison” at Michmash. Its men taunt Jonathan, only to be routed when the LORD grants Israel victory. Historical Background In Iron-Age warfare, sharply cut passes, narrow ridges, and crossroads demanded small but permanent detachments. Michmash overlooked the deep valley separating Benjamin from Ephraim, making a Philistine stronghold there a direct threat to Israelite mobility. Centuries later Zechariah addressed Judah after the Babylonian exile, when Persian and Hellenic powers controlled the same corridors. God’s promise to “camp around” His house assured the returned remnant that imperial overlays could never nullify covenant security. Theological Insights 1. Human posts are limited; divine protection is limitless. Jonathan’s daring exploit exposes the vulnerability of any garrison when the LORD is against it (1 Samuel 14:6, 23). God as the Ultimate Garrison Throughout Scripture the Lord undertakes to “stand guard” over His people: In each case the protective stance is not merely spatial but relational, born of covenant love. Ministerial Lessons • Leadership rooted in faith acts decisively, as Jonathan shows; victory is not in numbers but in the Lord’s presence. Christological Reflection Zechariah’s vision finds ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ: He “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14), setting a living post on earth. At the cross He disarmed powers (Colossians 2:15), and through the resurrection He now “stands” as High Priest ever living to intercede (Hebrews 7:25), guaranteeing that no oppressor will overrun His church. Practical Application for the Church 1. Guard the gospel’s domain. Establish doctrinal outposts in teaching, discipleship, and mission. In both its occurrences, מַצָּבָה underscores the contrast between fragile human defenses and the unassailable protection God provides to those who stand in covenant with Him. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּצָּבָ֜ה המצבה מִצָּבָה֙ מצבה ham·maṣ·ṣā·ḇāh hammaṣṣāḇāh hammatztzaVah miṣ·ṣā·ḇāh miṣṣāḇāh mitztzaVahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 14:12 HEB: וַיַּעֲנוּ֩ אַנְשֵׁ֨י הַמַּצָּבָ֜ה אֶת־ יוֹנָתָ֣ן ׀ KJV: And the men of the garrison answered INT: hailed the men of the garrison Jonathan bearer Zechariah 9:8 2 Occurrences |