Bible Word Study
מָגַר
mâgar · to yield up; intensively, to precipitate
מָגַר
to yield up; intensively, to precipitate
Definition
The Hebrew verb מָגַר (mâgar) means to cast down or throw down, often with a sense of forceful or violent action. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes God casting down a king's throne from its splendor (Psalm 89:44) and the prophet's heart being 'cast down' or 'shattered' in terror (Ezekiel 21:12). The word carries an intensive force, implying a sudden, precipitating downfall or a state of being overwhelmed and broken.
Biblical Usage
This rare verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in poetic or prophetic contexts of divine judgment and emotional devastation. In Psalm 89:44, it is used literally for the violent overthrow of a king's rule. In Ezekiel 21:12, it is used metaphorically for the prophet's internal collapse in response to God's coming sword of judgment. The usage pattern shows it applies to both external, political ruin and internal, psychological despair.
Etymology
מָגַר is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to casting or throwing down. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, suggest meanings of 'to throw' or 'to precipitate,' supporting the sense of forceful action. The Hebrew development appears to have intensified from a basic 'to cast' toward meanings of violent overthrow or shattering.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly portrays God's sovereign action in judgment, dethroning human authority (Psalm 89:44), and the appropriate human response of terror and brokenness before that holy judgment (Ezekiel 21:12). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the shocking, precipitating nature of divine intervention against sin and the profound emotional weight carried by the prophets. In its ancient Near Eastern context, the 'casting down' of a throne (Psalm 89:44) would resonate with the common practice of conquerors desecrating or destroying the symbols of a defeated king's power. The internal 'casting down' of the heart (Ezekiel 21:12) reflects a holistic view of personhood where emotional and physical collapse are intertwined. הָפַךְ (hāp̄aḵ, H2015) — to overturn or overthrow, more general; נָפַל (nāp̄al, H5307) — to fall, often less forceful or intentional; שָׁבַר (šāḇar, H7665) — to break or smash, focusing on the result rather than the action of throwing.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]