מְצוּדָה
Metzudah
Stronghold, fortress, mountain stronghold
Metzudah (מְצוּדָה) is a Hebrew word meaning “stronghold, fortress, mountain stronghold,” pronounced “me-tzu-DAH.” Derived from the root צ-ו-ד, metzudah appears 22 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H4686).
| Hebrew | מְצוּדָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Metzudah |
| Pronunciation | me-tzu-DAH |
| Meaning | Stronghold, fortress, mountain stronghold |
| Root Letters | צ-ו-ד |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 22× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 18:2 |
| Strong's Number | H4686 |
| Category | Warfare & Victory |
David knew what a metzudah (מְצוּדָה) was — not from a theology book, but from desperate lived experience. Before he was king, David spent years hiding in wilderness strongholds of Ein Gedi and the mountain fortress later called Masada. These natural rocky fortresses, perched on cliffs above the Dead Sea, were virtually impregnable. When David wrote, 'The LORD is my metzudah' (Psalm 18:2), he was drawing on visceral memory: the feeling of safety when you reach a fortress that cannot be breached. The Hebrew Bible consistently uses metzudah as a metaphor for God — an unassailable refuge in times of danger. Psalm 144:2 calls God 'my metzudah and my deliverer.' Nahum 1:7 declares: 'The LORD is good, a metzudah in the day of trouble.' Understanding metzudah means understanding that God is not a fragile shelter but an impregnable fortress — the safest place in the universe.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 18:2
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress (metzudah) and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
What Is the Root of Metzudah in Hebrew?
Metzudah comes from the root צ-ו-ד (tsade-vav-dalet), meaning 'to hunt, to capture.' A metzudah was originally a hunter's trap, then a mountain stronghold — a place that 'captures' its occupants in safety.
What Does Metzudah Mean in the Bible?
Metzudah appears 22 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes David's wilderness stronghold (1 Samuel 22:4-5, 2 Samuel 5:7), the fortress of Zion that David captured, and God as spiritual fortress (Psalm 18:2, 31:3, 71:3, 144:2).
How Is Metzudah Used in Modern Hebrew?
Masada — derived from metzudah — is one of Israel's most iconic sites. New IDF soldiers are sworn in atop Masada with 'Masada shall not fall again,' connecting the ancient fortress concept to modern resilience.
How to Use Metzudah in Prayer & Worship
Run to God as your metzudah when under attack. He is not a flimsy shelter but an impregnable fortress. Like David, let your most desperate seasons teach you that God Himself is the safest stronghold in existence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metzudah
How do you say “Stronghold” in Hebrew?
“Stronghold” in Hebrew is Metzudah (מְצוּדָה), pronounced “me-tzu-DAH.” Metzudah comes from the root צ-ו-ד (tsade-vav-dalet), meaning 'to hunt, to capture.' A metzudah was originally a hunter's trap, then a mountain stronghold — a place that 'captures' its occupants in safety.
What does Metzudah mean in the Bible?
Metzudah (מְצוּדָה) means “Stronghold, fortress, mountain stronghold” in Biblical Hebrew. Metzudah appears 22 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes David's wilderness stronghold (1 Samuel 22:4-5, 2 Samuel 5:7), the fortress of Zion that David captured, and God as spiritual fortress (Psalm 18:2, 31:3, 71:3, 144:2).
How do you pronounce Metzudah?
Metzudah is pronounced “me-tzu-DAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root צ-ו-ד.
What is the connection between Masada and the Bible?
Masada, the famous mountain fortress by the Dead Sea, is near where David hid from Saul. 'Masada' comes from 'metzudah.' While best known for the Jewish last stand against Rome in 73 AD, its biblical roots trace to David's fugitive years. The wilderness taught David that God — not stone walls — was his true fortress.
How does David use fortress imagery in the Psalms?
David's fortress language comes from years as a fugitive. Psalm 18:2 stacks fortress images: rock, metzudah, deliverer, shield, stronghold. Psalm 31:3: 'You are my rock and my metzudah.' Psalm 71:3: 'Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong metzudah.' These are memories transformed into theology.
What does it mean that God is our stronghold?
Calling God our metzudah means He is an unassailable refuge where enemies cannot reach us. It doesn't mean we avoid trouble, but that in trouble we have an impregnable position. Nahum 1:7: 'The LORD is good, a metzudah in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.'
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H4686: Metzudah
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 18:2 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for צ-ו-ד
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