מַכְתֵּשׁ
dell; the Maktesh, a place in Jerusalem
Definition
The Hebrew word מַכְתֵּשׁ (Maktêsh) literally means 'mortar' or 'grinding bowl,' referring to a hollow, bowl-shaped vessel used for pounding or grinding substances. In its single biblical occurrence, it is used as a proper noun, 'the Maktesh,' to designate a specific district or quarter within Jerusalem, likely named for its topographical resemblance to a mortar—a low-lying, bowl-shaped area. This place is mentioned in Zephaniah 1:11 as a location inhabited by merchants, where God's judgment is pronounced. The term thus carries both a concrete, everyday meaning (a utensil) and a unique geographical application in this prophetic context.
Biblical Usage
מַכְתֵּשׁ is used only once in the Old Testament, in Zephaniah 1:11. Here, it functions as a proper name for a locale in Jerusalem: 'Wail, O inhabitants of the Maktesh!' The context is a prophecy of judgment against Jerusalem's merchants and traders who are complacent and spiritually indifferent. The usage is entirely geographical and symbolic, with the name likely evoking the image of a confined, low area, perhaps intensifying the sense of inescapable judgment.
Etymology
מַכְתֵּשׁ derives from the root כתשׁ (kāthash), meaning 'to pound' or 'to beat fine.' It is the same as H4388, which refers explicitly to a mortar or crushing instrument. The word's development from a common household tool to a place name is an example of a toponym based on physical resemblance, where a geographical basin was likened to the shape of a grinding bowl.
Semantic Range
While מַכְתֵּשׁ itself is a mundane object, its prophetic usage in Zephaniah 1:11 carries theological weight. The 'Maktesh' as a merchant quarter becomes a symbol of Judah's economic pride and spiritual apathy. God's specific warning to this district underscores that judgment is comprehensive, reaching even the bustling centers of commerce. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting how the prophet used a familiar, concrete image (a mortar) to name a place of coming divine 'crushing' or judgment, adding a layer of poetic justice to the oracle.
In ancient Israel, a מַכְתֵּשׁ was a common stone or wooden bowl used with a pestle for grinding grain, herbs, or spices—a vital everyday tool in domestic life. The application of this term to a part of Jerusalem suggests the area was visibly basin-shaped or hollow, much like the utensil. This cultural connection between topography and household items helped listeners immediately visualize the location. For modern readers, recognizing this link clarifies why the place was so named and how the physical setting may have metaphorically reinforced the message of inescapable judgment.
מְדֹכָה (medokhah, H4665) — also means 'mortar' or 'pounding tool,' used in Proverbs 27:22; it is a near synonym but less commonly associated with place names.
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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