מָזוֹר
a bandage, i.e. remedy; hence, a sore (as needing a compress)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מָזוֹר (mâzôwr) refers primarily to a bandage or binding used for medical treatment, but it also extends to mean the wound or sore itself that requires such treatment. In Jeremiah 30:13, it describes a wound that is incurable and cannot be 'bound up' or treated, emphasizing a state of severe, neglected injury. Conversely, in Hosea 5:13, it is the 'wound' or 'sore' that Judah and Israel have, for which they futilely seek healing from foreign powers instead of God. The word thus captures both the injury and the intended remedy, highlighting a lack of proper care.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, both in prophetic books addressing national sin and judgment. In Jeremiah 30:13, it is part of God's diagnosis of Judah's incurable wound, a metaphor for its spiritual and political decay. In Hosea 5:13, it describes the 'wound' of Ephraim (Israel) and Judah, which they foolishly try to have treated by the king of Assyria. The usage is consistently metaphorical, portraying national crisis and misplaced hope for healing.
Etymology
Derived from the root זוּר (zûr, H2115), which carries the sense of 'to press, bind, or wrap tightly.' This root is related to the act of bandaging. The noun מָזוֹר, therefore, originates from the concept of binding up a wound, and by metonymy, came to signify the wound that necessitates such binding.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as a powerful metaphor for sin and its consequences. It portrays sin not merely as a mistake but as a festering, debilitating wound that humanity cannot heal on its own (Jeremiah 30:13). The failed search for a political 'bandage' in Hosea 5:13 underscores the futility of seeking salvation from any source other than God. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these prophecies, revealing the depth of human brokenness and the necessity of divine intervention for true healing and restoration.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, medical treatment for wounds was rudimentary, primarily involving cleaning, bandaging, and the application of compresses or salves. An untreated or improperly treated wound could easily become infected and life-threatening. This context makes the metaphor of an 'incurable מָזוֹר' (Jeremiah 30:13) a vivid and terrifying image of hopelessness, far more potent than a modern analogy might suggest.
צָרַעַת (tsaraʿath, H6883) — A specific skin disease or affliction (often translated 'leprosy'), implying ritual impurity, whereas מָזוֹר is a general wound. פֶּצַע (petsaʿ, H6482) — A wound from violence, a bruise or injury, more focused on the infliction than the treatment. מַכָּה (makkah, H4347) — A blow, stroke, or plague; a broader term for affliction that can include wounds.
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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