מוֹט
𐤌𐤅𐤈
môwṭ
H4132 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A staff, rod, or bar, often used literally for a pole or bar for carrying or bearing weight, especially as part of a yoke used to carry burdens on the shoulders. By extension, denotes the shaft connecting two elements together (such as wheel and cart) or a crossbeam. In metaphorical usage, symbolizes subjection, oppression, or burdensome rule, based on the image of the yoke or staff pressing on the neck or shoulders.
Semantic Range
staff, rod, bar, pole for carrying, yoke-bar, shaft, beam; (figuratively) instrument or symbol of oppression, burden, or subjugation
Root / Etymology
From the root מוֹט (mot), which means 'to totter, shake, waver, slip.' The noun derives from the sense of being unstable or capable of movement, which fits the idea of a pole that may shift or tremble under weight. The meaning evolves from a movable bar or pole to the yoke or staff used for burden-bearing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, מוֹט refers concretely to a wooden bar or staff, often as a component of a yoke for carrying loads across the back or shoulders, or potentially a bar or shaft on a cart. Metaphorically, it appears in poetic and prophetic literature to evoke the removal of oppression or the breaking of subjugation (e.g., Isaiah 9:3: 'the staff [מֹוט] of their shoulder'). The term is distinct from עֹל (ʿol), the common Hebrew word for 'yoke,' which can refer explicitly to an occupational or agricultural implement but also metaphorically for servitude. מוֹט conveys more the idea of the carrying implement or pole, sometimes with the nuance of flexibility or instability. English translations sometimes obscure this nuance, rendering it as 'rod,' 'staff,' 'bar,' or incorporating it into phrases denoting oppression or burden; later English translations may not always distinguish its specific material aspect from that of more general terms for rod or yoke. Apart from its noun usage as H4132, the related verb root is more commonly found in poetic and wisdom texts with the sense of wavering or unsteadiness. Its metaphorical sense, especially in prophetic and psalmic literature, aligns with themes of liberation from oppression, the burden-bearer's release, or the end of instability.
Translation Consistency
môwṭ most typically denotes the bar or pole of a yoke used to carry burdens and is frequently used figuratively for subjection or oppression. “Yoke” is the natural, common English word that covers both the literal yoke-bar/shaft sense and the dominant metaphorical sense, and so provides the most consistent, readable rendering across occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מוֹט; a wavering, i.e. fall; by implication, a pole (as shaking); hence, a yoke (as essentially a bent pole); bar, be moved, staff, yoke.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
מוט (m-w-ṭ) — to totter, shake, slip, be unstable
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4132-01 |
הַ/מּֽוֹט | hamot | HTd/Ncmsa |
the carrying frame | the yoke-bar | the yoke-bar | 2 |
H4132-02 |
לַ/מּ֣וֹט | lamot | HRd/Vqc |
to slip | to totter | to slip | 2 |
H4132-04 |
בַ/מּ֖וֹט | vamot | HRd/Ncmsa |
on a pole | yoke-bar | on a pole | 1 |
H4132-03 |
מֹטֵ֖/הוּ | motehu | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his yoke | his yoke-bar | his yoke-bar | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4132-01 |
Numbers 4:10 | הַ/מּֽוֹט | hamot | HTd/Ncmsa |
the carrying frame | the yoke-bar | the yoke-bar |
H4132-01 |
Numbers 4:12 | הַ/מּֽוֹט | hamot | HTd/Ncmsa |
the carrying frame | the yoke-bar | the yoke-bar |
H4132-04 |
Numbers 13:23 | בַ/מּ֖וֹט | vamot | HRd/Ncmsa |
on a pole | yoke-bar | on a pole |
H4132-03 |
Nahum 1:13 | מֹטֵ֖/הוּ | motehu | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his yoke | his yoke-bar | his yoke-bar |
H4132-02 |
Psalms 66:9 | לַ/מּ֣וֹט | lamot | HRd/Vqc |
to slip | to totter | to slip |
H4132-02 |
Psalms 121:3 | לַ/מּ֣וֹט | lamot | HRd/Vqc |
to slip | to totter | to totter |