מִפְגָּע
an object of attack
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִפְגָּע (miphgâʻ) refers to an object or target of attack, specifically something aimed at or struck. It derives from the root meaning 'to encounter' or 'to strike against,' and in its sole biblical occurrence, it describes a person as a target for divine attention or judgment. In Job 7:20, Job laments that he has become a 'mark' or 'target' for God, feeling as though God is relentlessly watching and afflicting him. The word conveys the sense of being a focal point of hostile or intense engagement, not merely a passive object but one singled out for impact.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 7:20. In this context, Job uses it to express his anguish, portraying himself as a target of God's scrutiny and punishment. The usage is poetic and metaphorical, emphasizing personal suffering and the feeling of being divinely assailed. No other biblical books employ this specific term, making its usage unique to Job's lament.
Etymology
מִפְגָּע is derived from the root פָּגַע (pāgaʻ, H6293), which means 'to encounter,' 'meet,' or 'strike against.' The noun form is a miqtal pattern, typically indicating the place or object of an action. Thus, it literally means 'a place of encounter' or 'an object of striking.' Cognates in other Semitic languages support meanings related to meeting or impacting, highlighting its sense of directed contact or attack.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the intense, personal dimension of suffering in relation to God. In Job 7:20, it enriches the theme of divine-human encounter, portraying Job not just as a sufferer but as a deliberate target of God's attention. This challenges simplistic views of suffering and invites reflection on God's sovereignty and human vulnerability. Understanding this Hebrew term deepens appreciation for Job's raw honesty and the biblical exploration of faith amid pain.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the concept of being a 'target' or 'mark' would resonate with practices of hunting or warfare, where precision and intent were paramount. Job's metaphor draws on this imagery to convey his sense of being singled out for divine action, a feeling that may have been familiar in contexts where deities were seen as directly intervening in human affairs. This differs from modern, more abstract notions of fate or misfortune.
מַטָּרָה (maṭṭārâ, H4307) — a target for shooting, often literal; פֶּגַע (pegaʻ, H6294) — a stroke or calamity, emphasizing the event rather than the object.
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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