מָבֻשׁ
(plural) the (male) pudenda
Definition
The Hebrew noun מָבֻשׁ (mâbush) is a plural form referring specifically to the male genitalia, often translated euphemistically as 'secrets' or 'private parts.' Its sole biblical occurrence is in Deuteronomy 25:11, which describes a scenario where a woman grabs a man's מָבֻשׁ during a fight. This usage underscores a sense of private, vulnerable anatomy. The word carries a connotation of shame or impropriety, derived from its root meaning 'to be ashamed.' There are no other attested meanings or usages in the biblical text, making its semantic range narrow and context-specific.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 25:11. It appears within a legal context, detailing a specific prohibition against a woman intervening in a fight between men by seizing the מָבֻשׁ of one of the combatants. The usage is strictly anatomical and legal, serving to define a boundary of prohibited physical conduct. No other books or literary contexts employ this term.
Etymology
מָבֻשׁ is a noun derived from the root בּוּשׁ (bûsh, H954), which means 'to be ashamed,' 'to be disgraced,' or 'to be confounded.' The noun form essentially denotes 'a thing of shame' or 'a shameful part.' This etymological connection directly informs its usage, as the referenced body part was culturally associated with modesty, privacy, and potential for disgrace.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is anatomical, its theological significance lies in its placement within the Mosaic Law. The law in Deuteronomy 25:11-12 protects bodily dignity and establishes boundaries for conduct, even in violent conflicts. It underscores the biblical principle that certain violations of personal and physical integrity are serious offenses, reflecting a holistic view of human personhood under God's covenant. Understanding this Hebrew term clarifies the specific gravity of the prohibited act.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, exposure or handling of the genitalia was associated with profound shame and humiliation (cf. Isaiah 20:4, Nahum 3:5). The law in Deuteronomy 25:11 reflects this cultural understanding, treating such an act not merely as inappropriate violence but as a distinctive violation of male honor and social propriety. The modern clinical or neutral understanding of anatomy differs from this ancient perspective, which was deeply intertwined with concepts of shame, honor, and social order.
עֶרְוָה (ʿerwah, H6172) — A more common term for 'nakedness' or 'genitals,' often used in legal contexts concerning sexual immorality or exposure (Leviticus 18). מָבֻשׁ is more specific and rare, focusing on the male anatomy in a context of assault rather than sexual sin.
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.
Full methodology & sources →