H4869b H4869b
The fortress or stronghold, possibly a place name in Moab or an appellative for a fortified city
This term appears in Jeremiah 48:1, in the prophet's oracle against Moab: "Concerning Moab. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Woe to Nebo, for it is laid waste; Kiriathaim is put to shame, it is taken; the fortress is put to shame and broken down." The Hebrew "the misgab" could be a proper name (a specific Moabite fortress) or a common noun ("the stronghold"). Some identify it with Kir-Moab, Moab's capital fortress. Either way, the term emphasizes fortification and strength—precisely what Moab loses in judgment. The definite article suggests a well-known stronghold, whose fall symbolizes Moab's complete defeat.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Either a place name designating a specific fortress in Moab or an appellative meaning "the stronghold/fortress." Jeremiah 48:1 mentions "the misgab" in an oracle against Moab, listing it alongside Nebo and Kiriathaim as sites facing destruction. Some scholars identify this with Kir-Moab (Moab's fortified capital), while others read it as a common noun: "the fortress." The definite article suggests a recognized, prominent stronghold. Functionally, whether proper name or appellative, the term emphasizes military strength and fortification—which makes its predicted fall more devastating. The fortress that should provide security becomes a symbol of comprehensive defeat. 1×
AR["الْمِسْجَابُ"]·ben["দুর্গ"]·DE["[המשגב]"]·EN["the-fortress"]·FR["[המשגב]"]·heb["ה-משגב"]·HI["गढ़"]·ID["benteng-pertahanan"]·IT["[המשגב]"]·jav["bèntèng"]·KO["요새가"]·PT["a-fortaleza"]·RU["твердыня"]·ES["la-fortaleza"]·SW["ngome"]·TR["kale"]·urd["-قلعہ"]
Related Senses
H1129 1. Qal: build, construct (316×)H2691a 1. court, courtyard, enclosure (142×)G4864 1. synagogue, place of Jewish assembly (56×)G5438 1. prison, place of confinement (41×)H4013 1. fortress, stronghold (37×)H0875 1. well, cistern (dug water source) (35×)H0352b 1. pillar or jamb of gateway (32×)H2474 1. window, opening in wall (32×)H1406 1. roof / rooftop (31×)H4609b 1. steps, stairs, stairway (31×)H1129 2. Nifal: be built, be established (30×)H0361 1. portico, porch (architectural structure) (27×)H1129 3. Qal participle: builder (27×)H1219 1. fortified, inaccessible (25×)H4581 1. fortress, stronghold (25×)H3805 1. capital of a pillar (24×)H4350 1. stand, base, pedestal (24×)H0759 1. palace, royal residence (21×)H4692 1. siege, besiegement (20×)G3618 1. build or construct physically (19×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† II. מִשְׂגָּב perhaps n.pr.loc. in Moab;—הַמּ׳ Je 48:1 (v. SchwallyZAW viii (1888), 196 Albrl.c.), Αμαθ; Gf thinks appell. of Ḳir Moab (v. ii. קִיר); most sub i. מ׳ 1.