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Hebrew noun (masculine) · H4013

מִבְצָר

mibtsarmib-tsawr'

fortification

37 uses in the Hebrew text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key

Concordance spelling: mibtsâr

Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's H4013is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.

  • 16 of 39
    Old Testament books
  • 29
    spellings

The definition in full

Strong's key (1890) · H4013

a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender

The King James renders it: (de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold).

James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.

Summary

mibtsar is rendered "fortification". It stands 37 times in the Hebrew text, across sixteen books.

  • Seven of the uses stand in Jeremiah, more than in any other book.
  • Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Numbers 13:19Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications?
  • The Greek text spells it twenty-nine different ways.

The first use

Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications?

Numbers 13:19בְּמִבְצָרִֽים׃

The first use, in the order of the Old Testament's books.

Where the word stands

The word stands in sixteen of the 39 Old Testament books.

The other 23 Old Testament books never use the word.

What the word means

Each meaning, and the words it is translated by

How the Greek text is glossed, word by word

  • fortification11
  • the fortification5
  • fortifications your3
  • fortress2
  • fortresses your2
  • a fortress1
  • and fortification of1
  • fortification of1
  • fortifications1
  • fortifications its1
  • fortifications of1
  • fortifications their1

and 7 more, 37 uses in all

The words built on the same word-part

Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.

מִבְטָחmibtachconfidenceUses15
מִבְחָרmibcharbestUses12
מִבְטָאmibtarash wordUses2
מִבְחוֹרmibchorchoiceUses2
מִבְנֶהmibnehstructureUses1
מִבְרָחmibrachfugitiveUses1
מִבְדָּלָהmibdalahseparate placeUses1

Other numbers on this spelling

Strong gave these words the same spelling and different numbers, so the site counts and defines them apart.

All 37, in canonical order

Every use, in order

Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.

29 spellings and their grammar

STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.

How it is spelled

  • מִבְצָ֑ר3
  • הַמִּבְצָ֖ר2
  • הַמִּבְצָֽר׃2
  • מִבְצָ֖ר2
  • מִבְצָר֙2
  • מִבְצַר־2
  • מִבְצָֽר׃ פ2
  • בְּמִבְצָרֶ֑יהָ1
  • בְּמִבְצָרִֽים׃1
  • הַמִּבְצָ֔ר1
  • וּמִבְצַ֞ר1
  • לְמִבְצְרֵ֤י1

and 17 more spellings in the ledger below.

The grammar of each form

  • noun · masculine singular14HNcmsa
  • the definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singular5HTd/Ncmsa
  • noun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person feminine singular3HNcmpc/Sp2fs
  • noun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singular3HNcmpc/Sp2ms
  • noun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine singular2HNcmpc/Sp3ms
  • noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)2HNcmsc
  • conjunction (“and”) + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)1HC/Ncmsc
  • noun · feminine plural1HNcfpa
  • noun · masculine plural1HNcmpa
  • noun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”)1HNcmpc
  • noun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine plural1HNcmpc/Sp3mp
  • preposition + noun · masculine plural1HR/Ncmpa

Numbers

three uses
  • Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications?

    Numbers 13:19

    • בְּמִבְצָרִֽים׃bemivtzarimpreposition + noun · masculine pluraltagged: in fortresses
  • But we will arm ourselves and be ready to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our little ones will remain in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land.

    Numbers 32:17

    • הַמִּבְצָ֔רhamivtzarthe definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singulartagged: the fortification
  • Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks.

    Numbers 32:36

    • מִבְצָ֖רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification

Joshua

three uses
  • So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities.

    Joshua 10:20

    • הַמִּבְצָֽר׃hamivtzarthe definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singulartagged: the fortification
  • The border then turned back toward Ramah as far as the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah, and came out at the Sea in the region of Achzib,

    Joshua 19:29

    • מִבְצַר־mivtzar-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: fortification of
  • The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,

    Joshua 19:35

    • מִבְצָ֑רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification

1 Samuel

one use
  • The number of gold rats also corresponded to the number of Philistine cities belonging to the five rulers—the fortified cities and their outlying villages. And the large rock on which they placed the ark of the LORD stands to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh.

    1 Samuel 6:18

    • מִבְצָ֔רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification

2 Samuel

one use
  • They went toward the fortress of Tyre and all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went on to the Negev of Judah, to Beersheba.

    2 Samuel 24:7

    • מִבְצַר־mivtzar-noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: fortress of

2 Kings

five uses
  • And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.”

    2 Kings 3:19

    • מִבְצָר֙mivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification
  • “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”

    2 Kings 8:12

    • מִבְצְרֵיהֶ֞םmivtzereihemnoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: fortifications their
  • “When this letter arrives, since your master’s sons are with you and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city and weaponry,

    2 Kings 10:2

    • מִבְצָ֖רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification
  • The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities.

    2 Kings 17:9

    • מִבְצָֽר׃mivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification
  • He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its borders, from watchtower to fortified city.

    2 Kings 18:8

    • מִבְצָֽר׃ פmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification

2 Chronicles

one use
  • These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

    2 Chronicles 17:19

    • הַמִּבְצָ֖רhamivtzarthe definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singulartagged: the fortification

Psalms

two uses
  • You have broken down all his walls; You have reduced his strongholds to rubble.

    Psalms 89:40

    • מִבְצָרָ֣יוmivtzaravnoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: strongholds his
  • Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

    Psalms 108:10

    • מִבְצָ֑רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification

Isaiah

three uses
  • The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

    Isaiah 17:3

    • מִבְצָר֙mivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortress
  • The high-walled fortress will be brought down, cast to the ground, into the dust.

    Isaiah 25:12

    • וּמִבְצַ֞רumivtzarconjunction (“and”) + noun · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: and fortification of
  • Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches.

    Isaiah 34:13

    • בְּמִבְצָרֶ֑יהָbemivtzareihapreposition + noun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person feminine singulartagged: on fortifications its

Jeremiah

seven uses
  • Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.

    Jeremiah 1:18

    • מִבְצָ֜רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification
  • Announce in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say: “Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble yourselves and let us flee to the fortified cities.’

    Jeremiah 4:5

    • הַמִּבְצָֽר׃hamivtzarthe definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singulartagged: the fortification
  • They will devour your harvest and food; they will consume your sons and daughters; they will eat up your flocks and herds; they will feed on your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.”

    Jeremiah 5:17

    • מִבְצָרֶ֗יךָmivtzareikhanoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: fortifications your
  • “I have appointed you to examine My people like ore, so you may know and try their ways.

    Jeremiah 6:27

    • מִבְצָ֑רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification
  • Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

    Jeremiah 8:14

    • הַמִּבְצָ֖רhamivtzarthe definite article (“the”) + noun · masculine singulartagged: the fortification
  • as the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and the remaining cities of Judah—against Lachish and Azekah. For these were the only fortified cities remaining in Judah.

    Jeremiah 34:7

    • מִבְצָֽר׃ פmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortification
  • Come down from your glory; sit on parched ground, O daughter dwelling in Dibon, for the destroyer of Moab has come against you; he has destroyed your fortresses.

    Jeremiah 48:18

    • מִבְצָרָֽיִךְ׃mivtzarayikhnoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person feminine singulartagged: strongholds your

Lamentations

two uses
  • Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In His wrath He has demolished the fortified cities of the Daughter of Judah. He brought to the ground and defiled her kingdom and its princes.

    Lamentations 2:2

    • מִבְצְרֵ֥יmivtzereinoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”)tagged: fortifications of
  • The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah.

    Lamentations 2:5

    • מִבְצָרָ֑יוmivtzaravnoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: fortifications its

Daniel

three uses
  • Then the king of the North will come, build up a siege ramp, and capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will not stand; even their best troops will not be able to resist.

    Daniel 11:15

    • מִבְצָר֑וֹתmivtzarotnoun · feminine pluraltagged: fortifications
  • In a time of peace, he will invade the richest provinces and do what his fathers and forefathers never did. He will lavish plunder, loot, and wealth on his followers, and he will plot against the strongholds—but only for a time.

    Daniel 11:24

    • מִבְצָרִ֛יםmivtzarimnoun · masculine pluraltagged: strongholds
  • He will attack the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing the land for a price.

    Daniel 11:39

    • לְמִבְצְרֵ֤יlemivtzereipreposition + noun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”)tagged: to fortresses of

Hosea

one use
  • the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.

    Hosea 10:14

    • מִבְצָרֶ֣יךָmivtzareikhanoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: fortresses your

Amos

one use
  • He flashes destruction on the strong, so that fury comes upon the stronghold.

    Amos 5:9

    • מִבְצָ֥רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: a fortress

Micah

one use
  • I will remove the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds.

    Micah 5:11

    • מִבְצָרֶֽיךָ׃mivtzareikhanoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: fortresses your

Nahum

two uses
  • All your fortresses are fig trees with the first ripe figs; when shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater!

    Nahum 3:12

    • מִבְצָרַ֔יִךְmivtzarayikhnoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person feminine singulartagged: fortifications your
  • Draw your water for the siege; strengthen your fortresses. Work the clay and tread the mortar; repair the brick kiln!

    Nahum 3:14

    • מִבְצָרָ֑יִךְmivtzarayikhnoun · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person feminine singulartagged: fortifications your

Habakkuk

one use
  • They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. They laugh at every fortress and build up siege ramps to seize it.

    Habakkuk 1:10

    • מִבְצָ֣רmivtzarnoun · masculine singulartagged: fortress

The letters

Where it leads

How the numbers are counted

Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.

Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.

The words it stands beside are the nouns, verbs and adjectives immediately before or after it, counted in every verse where the word stands. The article, the conjunctions and the prepositions are left out, because they stand beside every word.

The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.

Hebrew and Greek text, word tagging and grammar: STEP Bible (www.STEPBible.org), Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0. Their grammar codes are written out in English here and shown as tagged beside each one.

Meaning and senses: STEP Bible TBESH gloss (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Dictionary key: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890, public domain). English verse text: Berean Standard Bible (public domain, 2023).

Revised 2026-09-05. Every cited work, the sources registry →