H4712 H4712
Straits, distress, or severe difficulties that hem one in on every side
This noun describes extreme difficulty or anguish, using the spatial metaphor of being hemmed into a narrow, constricted place with no escape. The psalmist calls out from 'the straits' and finds broad relief (Ps 118). The parallel with 'cords of death' and 'Sheol' in Psalm 116 shows this is existential dread, life-threatening crisis. Lamentations uses the plural to describe conquered Judah overtaken in her narrow places. The imagery is claustrophobic—being trapped, pressed, with no room to maneuver.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Dire straits or distress, often mortal danger. Psalm 116:3 pairs 'the straits of Sheol' with 'the cords of death'—extreme peril. Psalm 118:5 declares 'out of the straits I called upon the LORD; the LORD answered me with enlargement'—moving from constriction to spacious relief. Lamentations 1:3 describes Judah's enemies overtaking her 'between the straits,' meaning in her vulnerable, confined state. The German 'Bedrängnis' and Spanish 'angustia' capture this sense of crushing pressure. 3×
AR["الضِّيق", "الْمَضَايِقِ", "وَ-مَضايِق"]·ben["আমি-ডেকেছিলাম", "মৃত্যুর", "সেই-সংকীর্ণ-স্থানগুলিতে"]·DE["der-Aegypten", "der-Bedrängnis", "und-der-straits-von"]·EN["and-the-straits-of", "the-distress", "the-straits"]·FR["et-de-mes-adversaires", "le-détresse", "les-détresses"]·heb["ה-מצר", "ה-מצרים", "ו-מצרי"]·HI["और-संकट", "संकट", "संकटों-के"]·ID["dan-penderitaan", "kesesakan", "tempat-tempat-sempit"]·IT["accampamento", "e-da-i-miei-nemici", "le-strettoie"]·jav["lan-sesaking-", "papan-rupek", "sesakan"]·KO["곤경-에서", "그-협곡들-의", "그리고-고통들-이"]·PT["angústia", "as-angústias", "e-angústias-do"]·RU["и-муки", "теснинами", "тесноты"]·ES["la-angustia", "las-angustias", "y-angustias-de"]·SW["matatizo", "na-mashaka-ya", "shida"]·TR["dar-yerler", "sıkıntının", "ve-darlıkları"]·urd["-تنگیوں-کے", "اور-تنگیوں-نے", "تنگی"]
Related Senses
H7965 1. peace, absence of conflict (198×)H3467 1. save, deliver, rescue (Hifil active) (156×)H5127 1. flee, run away (Qal) (144×)G1515 1. peace, well-being, harmony (93×)H8002 1. peace offering(s) (87×)G4982 1. save spiritually, grant salvation (79×)H3444 1. salvation, deliverance (67×)H4422 1. Nifal: escape, flee (63×)H1272 1. flee, run away (Qal) (58×)H6869b 1. distress, trouble (57×)G4991 1. of salvation (46×)G2347 1. tribulation, affliction, distress (45×)H0983 1. security, safety, confidence (42×)H6031b 1. Piel: afflict, oppress (42×)H6040 1. affliction, misery, suffering (36×)H3468 1. salvation, deliverance (33×)G5343 1. flee, run away (28×)H3467 2. savior, deliverer (Hifil participle substantive) (28×)H8668 1. salvation, deliverance (27×)H8252 1. be quiet, be at rest (26×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† מֵצַר n.[m.] straits, distress;—abs. מִן־הַמֵּצַר קָרָאתִי ψ 118:5; pl. הַמְּצָרִים La 1:3 the distresses, of conquered Judah; cstr. מְצָרֵי שְׁאוֹל ψ 116:3 the straits of Sheol, i.e. the worst possible (‖ חֶבְלֵי־מָוֶת).