סוּגַר
an inclosure, i.e. cage (for an animal)
Definition
The Hebrew noun סוּגַר (çûwgar) refers to a secure enclosure or cage, specifically designed to confine an animal. It is derived from the root meaning 'to shut in' or 'to close up,' emphasizing the concept of imprisonment or restriction. In its sole biblical occurrence, Ezekiel 19:9, it describes a cage used to transport a captured lion, symbolizing the captivity of Judah's princes. The word conveys a sense of forced containment, often with the implication of being held for display or judgment, rather than a protective pen.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 19:9. It appears within a prophetic lament (a 'dirge') for the princes of Israel, who are allegorically depicted as lions. The context is one of judgment and captivity, where the 'cage' (סוּגַר) is the means by which the lion (representing a king) is taken to the 'king of Babylon.' Its usage is entirely metaphorical, serving Ezekiel's theme of national punishment and exile.
Etymology
סוּגַר is a noun derived from the root סָגַר (sagar, H5462), which means 'to shut,' 'to close,' or 'to deliver up.' This root is common in Hebrew, appearing in words for shutting doors, closing gates, and even God 'shutting in' Noah in the ark (Genesis 7:16). The noun form סוּגַר specifically denotes an instrument or place of shutting in—an enclosure crafted for confinement.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, סוּגַר carries significant theological weight in Ezekiel's prophecy. It visually encapsulates the doctrine of God's judgment against His rebellious people. The cage is not merely a physical object but a symbol of the complete loss of royal power and freedom, fulfilling the covenant curses for disobedience. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Ezekiel 19 by highlighting the humiliating and inescapable nature of the exile God ordained.
In the ancient Near East, capturing powerful wild animals like lions was a demonstration of a king's supremacy. Cages or enclosed wagons were used to transport these captured beasts, often for display in royal menageries or for use in ceremonial hunts. Ezekiel's audience would have immediately understood the reference as a metaphor for total subjugation and public humiliation, drawing a direct parallel to the fate of Judah's leadership being paraded into Babylonian captivity.
כְּלוּב (keluwb, H3619) — a more general term for a birdcage or trap, often with a connotation of snaring. סוּגַר implies a stronger, more secure enclosure built for a large, dangerous animal.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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