מְצוּקָה
𐤌𐤑𐤅𐤒𐤄
mᵉtsûwqâh
H4691 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Physical or metaphorical condition of being constrained or hemmed in; most often denotes distress, adversity, or dire circumstances experienced as the result of pressure or restriction, both in literal and figurative contexts. The term encompasses physical constriction (such as lack of space or being besieged) but is more commonly used for emotional or existential suffering.
Semantic Range
physical narrowness, being hemmed in, siege conditions, distress, emotional anguish, adversity, dire circumstances, existential constraint
Root / Etymology
From the root צוּק (ts-w-q), which fundamentally means 'to press, compress, squeeze.' The noun מְצוּקָה derives from this root and carries the sense of a state resulting from being pressed or constrained. This is a morphological feminine noun formation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, מְצוּקָה frequently appears in poetic and prophetic texts to describe conditions of severe hardship—such as famine, siege, existential anxiety, or social collapse—where individuals or communities experience a sense of overwhelming distress. The imagery derives from physical narrowness, as seen in descriptions of siege (being physically hemmed in), but extends metaphorically to emotional or communal states. It is distinct from צָרָה (H6869) 'trouble, distress,' which can have a broader general usage. In later periods (exilic, post-exilic), מְצוּקָה may reflect deep communal suffering or exile trauma, though its primary resonance remains rooted in the imagery of constriction. Standard English translations like 'anguish,' 'distress' or 'trouble' only partially capture the full sense, omitting the strong association with the experience of constraint or being pressed in.
Translation Consistency
Covers the primary and most common sense of מְצוּקָה — adversity, anguish, being beset or hemmed in — and is the most natural, widely used English term. It maps well to both physical constraint and emotional suffering in the SILEX semantic range, and aligns with the majority of existing renderings (e.g., “distresses”) better than narrower options like “constriction” or more literary words like “anguish.”
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מְצֻקָה; feminine of מָצוּק; narrowness, i.e. (figuratively) trouble; anguish, distress.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צוק (ts-w-q) — to press, squeeze, compress, constrain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4689 | מָצוֹק | pressing straitness |
| H4690 | מָצוּק | constricted crag |
| H6693 | צוּק | the pressuring one |
| H6694 | צוּק | they poured out |
| H6695 | צוֹק | pressing distress |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4691-02 |
מִ֝/מְּצֽוּקוֹתֵי/הֶ֗ם | mimetsuqoteyhem | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
out of their distresses | from their constraints | from their distresses | 3 |
H4691-03 |
וּ/מְצוּקָ֗ה | umetsuqah | HC/Ncfsa |
and anguish | and constriction | and distress | 2 |
H4691-04 |
וּֽ֝/מִ/מְּצֽוּקֹתֵי/הֶ֗ם | umimetsuqoteyhem | HC/R/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
and from their distresses | and from their constraints | and from their constraints | 1 |
H4691-01 |
מִ֝/מְּצֽוּקוֹתַ֗/י | mimetsuqotay | HR/Ncfpc/Sp1cs |
out of my distresses | from my constrictions | from my constrictions | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4691-03 |
Zephaniah 1:15 | וּ/מְצוּקָ֗ה | umetsuqah | HC/Ncfsa |
and distress | and constriction | and distress |
H4691-01 |
Psalms 25:17 | מִ֝/מְּצֽוּקוֹתַ֗/י | mimetsuqotay | HR/Ncfpc/Sp1cs |
out of my distresses | from my constrictions | from my constrictions |
H4691-02 |
Psalms 107:6 | מִ֝/מְּצֽוּקוֹתֵי/הֶ֗ם | mimetsuqoteyhem | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
out of their distresses | from their constraints | from their distresses |
H4691-02 |
Psalms 107:13 | מִ֝/מְּצֻֽקוֹתֵי/הֶ֗ם | mimetsuqoteyhem | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
from-their-distresses | from their constraints | from their distresses |
H4691-02 |
Psalms 107:19 | מִ֝/מְּצֻֽקוֹתֵי/הֶ֗ם | mimetsuqoteyhem | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
out of their distresses | from their constraints | from their distresses |
H4691-04 |
Psalms 107:28 | וּֽ֝/מִ/מְּצֽוּקֹתֵי/הֶ֗ם | umimetsuqoteyhem | HC/R/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
and from their distresses | and from their constraints | and from their constraints |
H4691-03 |
Job 15:24 | וּ/מְצוּקָ֑ה | umetsuqah | HC/Ncfsa |
and anguish | and constriction | and distress |