מָסֹרֶת
a band
Definition
The Hebrew word מָסֹרֶת (mâçôreth) refers to a 'band' or 'bond,' specifically a binding or restraining device. It is derived from the root meaning 'to bind' and carries the sense of something that holds together or confines. In its single biblical occurrence in Ezekiel 20:37, it is used metaphorically to describe the covenant relationship God imposes on His people, likening it to a bond that brings them under His authority and discipline. This usage emphasizes constraint and obligation within a relational framework, rather than a physical object.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 20:37, where God declares, 'I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.' Here, מָסֹרֶת is used in a prophetic context to describe the covenantal obligation God enforces upon Israel, portraying it as a binding agreement that restores and disciplines His people. The usage is entirely metaphorical, emphasizing submission and commitment under divine authority.
Etymology
מָסֹרֶת comes from the root אָסַר (ʾāsar, H631), meaning 'to bind, tie, or imprison.' It is a noun form indicating the result of that action—a band or bond. Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian 'esēru,' also convey binding or joining. The development from a physical act of tying to a metaphorical bond reflects how covenantal and relational ties were understood as binding commitments in Hebrew thought.
Semantic Range
מָסֹרֶת is theologically significant as it illustrates God's covenantal faithfulness and discipline. In Ezekiel 20:37, the 'bond of the covenant' underscores that God's relationship with Israel is not optional but a binding commitment He upholds, even through judgment and restoration. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches Bible reading by highlighting how divine covenants involve both privilege and obligation, reflecting God's sovereign grace in constraining His people for their good and His glory.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, bonds or bands were commonly used for physical restraint, such as with prisoners or animals, but also symbolized agreements and treaties. The metaphorical use in Ezekiel would resonate with an audience familiar with covenants as binding, unbreakable pacts, often sealed with oaths. This cultural backdrop clarifies that the 'bond of the covenant' implies a serious, enforceable commitment, differing from modern, more casual understandings of relationships.
מוֹסֵר (môsēr, H4147) — a bond or fetter, often physical imprisonment; עֲבֹת (ʿăbōt, H5688) — a thick cord or rope, used for binding items; אֲסוּרִים (ʾăsûrîm, H631) — bonds or bands, typically literal restraints.
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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