בַ/מְּצָדוֹת֙
𐤁/𐤌𐤑𐤃𐤅𐤕
mᵉtsad
in the strongholds
A secure structure or place providing protection or defense, such as a mountain fortress, stronghold, or fortified refuge. The term is used for natural or constructed defensive sites, frequently situated in rocky terrain and often implying inaccessibility and security from enemies. In figurative contexts, it may indicate a place of safety or protection.
1 Samuel 23:19 · Word #11
Lexicon H4679
| Lemma | מְצַד |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤌𐤑𐤃 |
| Transliteration | mᵉtsad |
| Strong's | H4679 |
| Definition | A secure structure or place providing protection or defense, such as a mountain fortress, stronghold, or fortified refuge. The term is used for natural or constructed defensive sites, frequently situated in rocky terrain and often implying inaccessibility and security from enemies. In figurative contexts, it may indicate a place of safety or protection. |
Morphology HRd/Ncfpa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | f — Feminine — Feminine |
| Number | p — Plural — Plural |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | in the strongholds |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4679-07
in the mountain strongholds
| Morphological Notes | Preposition בַּ (in the) + noun feminine plural absolute מְצָדוֹת from מְצַד/מְצָדָה. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun מְצָדוֹת is feminine plural absolute, here with prefixed בַּ (“in the”), yielding “in the.” “Mountain strongholds” reflects the developed noun sense of secure, elevated defensive places rooted in the idea of ambush or concealed defense from צוּד. |
View full lexicon entry for H4679 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
in the mountain strongholds
| Same as P1 | Yes |
| Rationale | 'In the mountain strongholds' correctly and specifically reflects the location where David hides; P1 is contextually accurate and sufficiently specific as per the SILEX definition. |