Original Word: מָצוֹר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: matsowr
Pronunciation: maw-tsore'
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-tsore')
Definition: Siege, distress, confinement
Meaning: Egypt

besieged places, defense, fortified

The same as matsowr in the sense of a limit; Egypt (as the border of Palestine) -- besieged places, defense, fortified.

see HEBREW matsowr

Word Origin
from the same as Mitsrayim
Definition
a country S.W. of the Red Sea
NASB Translation
Egypt (5).

מָצוֺר proper name, of a territory = מִצְרַיִם; only in poetry: ׳יֶאֹרֵי מ Isaiah 19:6; 2 Kings 19:24 = Isaiah 37:25; וְעָדֶיךָ יָבוֺא לְמִנִּי וְעַד נָהָר ׳וּלְמִנִּי מ ׳אַשּׁוּד וְעָרֵי מ Micah 7:12 (ᵐ5 misunderstands everywhere).

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb צוּר (tsur), which means "to besiege" or "to confine."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The Greek equivalent for Egypt in the Septuagint and the New Testament is Αἴγυπτος (Aigyptos), corresponding to Strong's Greek Number 125. This term is used consistently to refer to the nation of Egypt in both historical and symbolic contexts within the Greek Scriptures.

Usage: The term מָצוֹר (Matsor) is used in the Hebrew Bible to denote Egypt, particularly in contexts that emphasize its role as a place of confinement or oppression. It is often used in prophetic literature to symbolize a place of bondage or a nation under judgment.

Context: • מָצוֹר (Matsor) is a poetic and symbolic name for Egypt, appearing in the Hebrew Bible to evoke themes of siege, confinement, and oppression. The name is derived from the root צוּר (tsur), which conveys the idea of being besieged or enclosed, reflecting Egypt's historical role as a place of bondage for the Israelites.
• In the prophetic books, מָצוֹר (Matsor) is often used to highlight Egypt's impending judgment or downfall. For example, in Isaiah 19:6, the drying up of the Nile is a metaphor for Egypt's desolation: "The streams of Egypt will dwindle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither."
• The use of מָצוֹר (Matsor) underscores the dual nature of Egypt as both a place of refuge and a place of enslavement, reflecting the complex relationship between Israel and Egypt throughout biblical history.
• The term is distinct from מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim), the more common name for Egypt, which is used in historical and narrative contexts. מָצוֹר (Matsor) is reserved for more symbolic or poetic references, often in the context of divine judgment or prophetic imagery.

מָצ֑וֹר מָצֽוֹר׃ מָצוֹר֙ מצור מצור׃ mā·ṣō·wr māṣōwr maTzorInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts