מְגוּרָה

מְגוּרָה

a fright; also a granary

Definition

The Hebrew noun מְגוּרָה (mᵉgûwrâh) has two distinct meanings in the Old Testament. Its primary meaning is 'a place of fear' or 'a fright,' referring to a state of terror or dread, as seen in Psalm 34:4 where God delivers the psalmist from all his 'fears.' A secondary, less common meaning is 'granary' or 'barn,' a place for storing grain. This sense appears in Haggai 2:19, where God asks, 'Is the seed yet in the barn?' The word's dual meaning likely stems from the idea of a secure, enclosed place, whether for storing grain or for the emotion of fear.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only three times in the Old Testament, showcasing its two distinct senses. The meaning 'fright' or 'fear' is found in poetic and prophetic contexts: Psalm 34:4 and Isaiah 66:4. The meaning 'granary' or 'barn' appears in the historical/prophetic book of Haggai 2:19, within a question about agricultural blessing. There is no clear pattern of usage by book or genre, as each occurrence stands alone to convey its specific meaning.

Etymology

מְגוּרָה is a feminine noun derived from the root גור (gûr), meaning 'to sojourn' or 'to dwell,' but also carrying connotations of 'to fear' or 'to be afraid.' It is explicitly the feminine form of either מָגוֹר (H4032), meaning 'fear,' or מָגוּר (H4033), meaning 'a dwelling' or 'sojourning place.' This dual root connection explains the word's semantic range, linking the concept of a temporary dwelling or storage place with the experience of fear in a foreign or insecure situation.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects divine deliverance with human emotion. In Psalm 34:4, the experience of being delivered from all 'fears' (מְגוּרוֹת) is a direct result of seeking the Lord, highlighting God's role as a refuge from terror. The usage in Haggai 2:19, while about a barn, is set in the context of God's promised blessing after obedience, tying material provision to spiritual faithfulness. Understanding both meanings enriches reading by revealing how biblical language can intertwine the concrete (a granary) and the emotional (a fright), both areas where God actively provides and protects. In its 'granary' sense, the word reflects the vital importance of secure food storage in an agrarian society. A full barn (Haggai 2:19) was a direct sign of God's blessing and provision, essential for survival. The 'fright' sense would resonate in a culture familiar with the tangible fears of invasion, famine, and insecurity. The conceptual link between the two may lie in the experience of a 'sojourner' or foreign resident (from the root גור), who would feel both fear and the need for a secure dwelling and food supply. פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — a more common general term for fear or dread. אֵימָה (ʼêmâh, H367) — terror, often a more intense or paralyzing fear. מָגוֹר (mâgôwr, H4032) — the masculine form, meaning fear or terror, from the same root.

Word Details