מְבוּסָה
a trampling
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְבוּסָה (mᵉbûwçâh) refers to the state or result of being trampled, crushed, or thoroughly subdued. It conveys a sense of violent subjugation and devastation, often in a military or judgment context. In Isaiah 18:2 and 18:7, it describes the future fate of a nation being 'trodden down' by divine judgment. In Isaiah 22:5, the word depicts the chaotic, crushing defeat of Jerusalem, characterized as a 'day of...treading down.'
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the book of Isaiah, specifically in prophecies of judgment against nations. All three occurrences (Isaiah 18:2, 18:7, 22:5) describe the devastating consequences of military invasion and divine wrath. The pattern is consistent: מְבוּסָה portrays a complete and violent overthrow, where people and places are rendered powerless and desolate under the feet of conquerors.
Etymology
מְבוּסָה is a feminine noun derived from the root בּוּס (bûs, H947), which means 'to tread down' or 'to trample.' It is formed using a common Hebrew noun pattern (the mem-prefix construction) that indicates the result or place of an action. Thus, מְבוּסָה literally means 'a place or state of trampling.' Related words include בּוּס (the verb) and מִבְסָם (mibsâm, H4018), another noun meaning 'treading place.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly portrays God's judgment in the prophetic literature. It underscores the seriousness of rebellion against God and the tangible, devastating consequences of divine wrath executed through historical events like military invasion. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Isaiah by emphasizing the completeness and humiliation inherent in God's disciplinary action, contrasting with His promises of restoration for the remnant.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, 'trampling' was a powerful image of total military and political defeat. Victorious armies literally marched over conquered lands and peoples, symbolizing utter dominance and the stripping of all honor and autonomy. This cultural understanding amplifies the prophetic warning: to be made a מְבוּסָה was to lose one's identity and security completely.
מִרְמָס (mir'mâs, H4823) — also means 'treading' or 'trampling,' but can be used more broadly for any trampling, not exclusively the resultant state of devastation. דּוּכָא (dûkâ', H1794) — means 'crushing' or 'oppression,' focusing more on the act of crushing rather than the state of being trampled down.
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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