מַצּוּת
a quarrel
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַצּוּת (matstsûwth) refers to a quarrel, contention, or strife. It specifically denotes a state of conflict or a heated dispute between parties. The word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 41:12, where God declares that those who contend with His people will be as nothing. In this context, it describes the adversarial opposition faced by Israel, framed as a legal or military contest. The term carries a sense of active, hostile striving against another.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Isaiah 41:12. It is employed in a prophetic context where God addresses Israel, assuring them of His protection against their enemies. The usage is specific to describing the act of contending or striving against God's chosen people. It fits within the legal and conflict imagery common in Isaiah's prophecies concerning Israel's vindication.
Etymology
מַצּוּת is derived from the root נָצָה (natsah, H5327), which means 'to strive, contend, or fight.' This root conveys the idea of persistent conflict or challenge. The noun form matstsûwth emphasizes the state or instance of such contention. Related words from the same root include מַצָּה (matstsah, H4694), meaning 'strife' or 'quarrel,' showing a family of terms centered on conflict.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it appears in a key passage about God's defense of His people. In Isaiah 41:12, the 'quarrel' represents the opposition of the nations, which God nullifies, highlighting His sovereignty and covenantal faithfulness. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by emphasizing that the conflict is not merely personal but part of the spiritual and historical struggle where God actively intervenes to vindicate Israel, a theme central to biblical prophecy.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, a 'quarrel' (matstsûwth) could refer to legal disputes, military conflicts, or interpersonal strife. In Isaiah 41:12, it likely evokes the imagery of a courtroom or battlefield, where opponents formally contend. This differs from a modern, casual argument, carrying weightier implications of public challenge and potential consequences, fitting the prophetic announcement of divine judgment.
רִיב (riv, H7379) — a broader term for strife, controversy, or legal case. מַצָּה (matstsah, H4694) — a very close synonym also meaning strife or quarrel, from the same root.
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 →