Lexical Summary moomad: Pillar, support, standing place Original Word: מֱעֱמָד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance standing From amad; literally, a foothold -- standing. see HEBREW amad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom amad Definition a standing ground, foothold NASB Translation foothold (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָעֳמָ֑ד noun [masculine] standing-ground, foot-hold Psalm 69:3 (in figurative). עִמָּדִי see עִם below below עמם. עמה (√ of following; compare Assyrian emû, be united, associated; emûtu, family, family connection; Late Hebrew עָמִית = Biblical Hebrew (rare)). Topical Lexicon Root and Conceptual Background מֱעֱמָד portrays the absence of a secure standing ground. The single use in Scripture makes the term striking, inviting readers to ponder what it means to have no place on which to set one’s feet before God or men. Throughout the Old Testament the metaphor of unstable ground often introduces themes of peril, divine rescue, or judgment (Psalm 40:2; Isaiah 40:8; Habakkuk 2:3). Canonical Setting in Psalm 69 Psalm 69 is Davidic, yet markedly prophetic. It opens with overwhelming distress: “Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck” (Psalm 69:1), and continues, “I have sunk in the miry depths, where there is no foothold” (Psalm 69:2). Here מֱעֱמָד marks the turning point between flailing and deliverance. David does not merely lack comfort; he lacks the most basic physical and spiritual platform from which to rise. His cry anticipates vindication that God alone can supply, underscoring the covenant faithfulness of the LORD who hears His servant. Imagery of Insecure Ground in Biblical Theology 1. Waters of Chaos. From Genesis 1:2 forward, untamed waters symbolize disorder. The lack of a foothold signals creation reverted to chaos unless God intervenes. Messianic Dimensions Psalm 69 is frequently applied to Jesus Christ (John 2:17; John 15:25; Romans 15:3). The absence of מֱעֱמָד prefigures the Cross, where Christ stands in our place yet finds no earthly support—forsaken by men and seemingly by God (Matthew 27:46). His resurrection provides the ultimate “rock” (Acts 4:11), transforming the image from desolation to triumph. Pastoral and Devotional Insights • Suffering Saints. Believers who experience betrayal, persecution, or overwhelming guilt find in מֱעֱמָד language for utter helplessness that still prays. Liturgical and Worship Usage Historically, Psalm 69 has been read during Holy Week. The vivid absence of a foothold magnifies hymns celebrating Christ the Solid Rock, reminding worshipers that stability is a gift of grace. Related Biblical Terminology • יָסַד (yasad, “to establish”)—the gracious opposite of מֱעֱמָד, used in proclamations of God’s unshakable kingdom (Psalm 24:2). Application for the Church Today 1. Evangelism. The world stands on no sure moral ground; proclaiming Christ supplies the stable footing sinners lack (1 Corinthians 3:11). Forms and Transliterations מָעֳמָ֑ד מעמד mā‘omāḏ mā·‘o·māḏ mooMadLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 69:2 HEB: מְ֭צוּלָה וְאֵ֣ין מָעֳמָ֑ד בָּ֥אתִי בְמַעֲמַקֵּי־ NAS: and there is no foothold; I have come KJV: mire, where [there is] no standing: I am come INT: deep and there foothold have come deep 1 Occurrence |
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