מֵצַר
𐤌𐤑𐤓
mêtsar
H4712 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place or state of distress, anguish, or constriction; figuratively, severe difficulty or dire circumstance. The term refers literally to a narrow or confined space (a physical strait), and more commonly in figurative extension, to mental or emotional distress—anguish, anxiety, or dire affliction.
Semantic Range
narrow place, strait, restricted passage; distress, anguish, dire circumstance, trouble, tribulation
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צר (ts-r), meaning 'to be narrow, confined, restricted.' The noun מֵצַר is formed with the mem-prefix, commonly producing abstract nouns indicating a state or place associated with the root action. Not derived from קֵבָה (qebah) as suggested in older lexicons; etymology derives securely from צר.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מֵצַר chiefly appears in poetic and wisdom literature, notably in the Psalms, where it denotes a situation of extreme duress or existential threat (e.g., Psalm 118:5, 'From the narrow place [distress] I called to YHWH'). The root connotes both physical and emotional limitation. In rare prose or predictive contexts, it may indicate literal straits or narrow passes (geographical). In later Hebrew, the noun developed the sense of emotional or national tribulation, especially in post-biblical rabbinic usage. The sense is often broader than 'pain'—it conveys constriction, difficulty, and threat of harm, and overlaps with—but is distinct from—עֲנִי (poverty/oppression) or צָרָה (distress, adversity). English translations such as 'distress,' 'anguish,' or 'straits' variably reflect the term’s literal and figurative senses; 'strait' captures the concrete imagery, while 'distress' corresponds to the extended meaning. In the Psalter and wisdom texts, the term does not denote physical disease but rather circumstances or states pressing upon the speaker. Its development from concrete to abstract is typical within the semantic field of ט״ס״ר (narrowness).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קֵבָה; something tight, i.e. (figuratively) trouble; distress, pain, strait.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
צ־ר (mêtsar) — to be narrow, to constrict, to press
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6862 | צַר | in the narrow strait |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4712-01 |
הַ֭/מֵּצַ֥ר | hametsar | HTd/Ncmsa |
the distress | the narrow strait | the distress | 1 |
H4712-02 |
הַ/מְּצָרִֽים | hametsarim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the straits | the narrow places | the straits | 1 |
H4712-03 |
וּ/מְצָרֵ֣י | umetsarey | HC/Ncmpc |
and pangs of | and straits of | and pangs of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4712-03 |
Psalms 116:3 | וּ/מְצָרֵ֣י | umetsarey | HC/Ncmpc |
and pangs of | and straits of | and pangs of |
H4712-01 |
Psalms 118:5 | הַ֭/מֵּצַ֥ר | hametsar | HTd/Ncmsa |
the distress | the narrow strait | the distress |
H4712-02 |
Lamentations 1:3 | הַ/מְּצָרִֽים | hametsarim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the straits | the narrow places | the straits |