H4672

מָצָא

ma.tsaH:V

to find

1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)

Full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon entry

מָצָא₄₅₂ verb attain to, find (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian maƒû, Dl^{HWB 421}, Ethiopic come, arrive; Aramaic [ find], Passive participle able, powerful, and derivatives; compare Nö^{ZMG xl 1886, 736} Dr^{1Sam 23:17}); —

Qal Perfect ׳מ Gen 2:20 +, suffix מְצָאוֺ Job 31:29, 3 feminine singular מָֽצְאָה Gen 8:9 +, suffix מְצָאַתְנוּ Judg 6:13; Neh 9:32, מְצָאָ֫תַם Exod 18:18 2 masculine singular מָצָאתָ Gen 31:37 +; 1 singular מָצָאתִי Gen 18:3 +, מָצָתִי Num 11:11, suffix מְצָאתִיו Song 3:1; Song 3:2, מְצָאתִיהוּ Song 5:6 3 plural מָֽצְאוּ Judg 21:14 +; suffix מְצָאנֻהוּ Job 37:23, etc.; Imperfect יִמְצָא 1Sam 24:20 +, 3 feminine singular תִּמְצָא 1Sam 1:18 +; 3 masculine plural יִמְצְאוּ Judg 5:30 +, suffix יִמְצָאֻהוּ Job 20:8 יִמְצָאֻנְנִי Prov 1:28; Prov 8:17, יִמְצָאוּנְהָ Jer 2:24 3 feminine plural תִּמְצֶאןָ Deut 31:21 etc.; Imperative מְצָא 1Sam 20:21; 1Sam 20:36, וּמְצָאֿ Prov 3:4 masculine plural מִצְאוּ Jer 6:16 feminine plural וּמְצֶאןָ Ruth 1:9 Infinitive מְצאֹ, מְצוֺא Ps 32:6; Gen 19:11 +, suffix בְּמֹצַאֲכֶם Gen 32:20 [= מָצְאֲכֶם Ges^{«GKC:74»§ 74}, 3, R. 2]; Participle מוֺצֵא Ps 119:162, מוֺצֶה Eccl 7:26, suffix מֹצְאִי Gen 4:14; Prov 8:35 feminine singular absolute מֹצֵאת 2Sam 18:22, מוֺצֵאת Song 8:10 masculine plural מֹצְאִים Num 15:33, construct מֹצְאֵי Prov 8:9 feminine plural absolute מֹצְאוֺת Josh 2:23, etc.; —

1. find :
a. thing sought, with accusative of thing, straw Exod 5:11 (J), water Gen 26:32 (J), compare vGen 26:19, Exod 15:22 (J), grass 1Kgs 18:5, help, consort, Gen 2:20 (J), compare Prov 18:22 +; with idea of attaining to, arriving at, a resting-place Gen 8:9 (J) Isa 34:14 compare צִפּוֺר מָֽצְאָה בַּיִת Ps 84:4; Jer 45:3; Lam 1:3 of marriage Ruth 1:9 of finding place for temple Ps 132:5 figurative וּמִצְאוּ מַרְגּוֺעַ לְנַפְשְׁכֶם Jer 6:16 and find quiet for yourselves; find grave Job 3:22 reach cities 2Sam 20:6 (where read יִמְצָא Vrss Th Dr Kit Bu), compare Ps 107:4 find = secure prey, booty, plunder Gen 27:20 (J), Judg 5:30; Judg 21:12; 1Sam 14:30 compare 2Chr 20:25; Prov 1:13; Ps 119:162 of securing gain Hos 12:9 ( + לִי; || עשׁר), Job 31:25 so perhaps also absolute בְּשׂוֺרָה מֹצֵאת אֵין 2Sam 18:22 there is no news securing i.e. such as to bring you a reward (compare Th Dr; but text dubious); secure as crop Gen 26:12 (J), compare Eccl 11:1 = acquire, get wounds and dishonour Prov 6:33 ׳חֵן בְּעֵינֵי פ ׳מ find ( = gain, secure) favour in the eyes of any one: of ׳י, Gen 6:8; Exod 33:12; Exod 33:13 (twice in verse); Exod 33:16; Exod 33:17; Exod 34:9 (all J), Num 11:11; Num 11:15 (JE), Judg 6:17; 2Sam 15:25 ; oftener of men Gen 18:3; Gen 19:19; Gen 30:27; Gen 32:6 + 8 t. Genesis (all J), Num 32:5 (JE), Deut 24:1; 1Sam 1:18 + 7 t. Samuel; 1Kgs 11:19; Ruth 2:2; Ruth 2:10; Ruth 2:13; Esth 5:8; Esth 7:3 ׳חֵן לִפְנֵי פ ׳מ Esth 8:5 אָז הָיִתִי בְעֵינָיו כְּמוֺצֵאת שָׁלָוֺם Song 8:10 absolute מָצָא חֵן Jer 31:2; Prov 3:4; Prov 28:23 : = seek and find 1Sam 20:21 (arrows), so v1Sam 20:36 figurative of grounds of accusation Job 33:10 he succeeds in finding; so also Isa 58:3; Isa 58:13 find knowledge of God Prov 2:5 compare Prov 8:9, word of ׳י Amos 8:12, words of wisdom Prov 4:22, wisdom Job 32:13; Prov 24:14 (see also below); ransom Job 33:24 life Prov 8:35 (Qr מָצָא; > Kt מצאי, i.e. מֹצְאֵי De Str Wild), Prov 21:21 with accusative of person Gen 18:26; Gen 18:28; Gen 18:30 (J), Gen 41:38 (E), 1Sam 9:13 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:3; 1Kgs 13:14 compare v1Kgs 13:28, +; of pursuit Josh 2:22 (J); find ׳י Hos 5:6; Deut 4:29; Jer 29:13; Job 23:3; Ps 32:6 + Hos 6:3 (read כֵן נִמְצָאֵהוּ כְּשַׁחֲרֵנוּ, for ᵑ0 כְּשַׁחַר נָכוָֺן מֹצָאוֺ Gie^{Beitr. z. Jes. Krit. 208} We Now); so possibly also (object omitted) Jer 10:18 (so Gf.; ᵑ9 Or read Niph`al; Gie יֶאְשָׁ֑מוּ), (Job 37:23; Job 11:7 (twice in verse) see below); find wisdom (personified) Prov 1:28; Prov 8:17; Prov 8:35 compare Prov 3:13.
b. what is lost, missed, with accusative of thing, Gen 31:32; Gen 31:33; Gen 31:34; Gen 31:35; Gen 31:37 (E), 1Sam 9:4 (twice in verse); Deut 22:3; Lev 5:22; Lev 5:23 (P), Gen 36:24 (P) +; וַיִּלְאוּ לִמְצֹא הַפָּ֑תַח Gen 19:11 and they grew weary in finding the door; find a word (to say) Neh 5:8; Eccl 12:10, answer Job 32:3, vision from ׳י Lam 2:9 with accusative of person Gen 38:20; Gen 38:22; Gen 38:23 (J), 2Sam 17:20; 1Kgs 18:10; 1Kgs 18:12; 1Kgs 21:20 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 2:17; Ezek 22:30; Prov 7:15; Song 3:1; Song 3:2; Song 3:4; Song 5:6 +.
c. meet, encounter, with accusative of person (one expected), Gen 32:20 (E), 2Kgs 9:21; Jer 41:12; 2Chr 20:16 compare also Num 35:27 (P).
d. find a condition, find one in a situation; לָהּ בְּתוּלִים ׳וְלֹא מ Deut 22:14 compare vDeut 22:17; Deut 24:1 אֶתמֶֿלָךְ ֗֗֗ נִלְחָם ׳וַיִּמ 2Kgs 19:8 and he found the king of Assyria warring against Lachish = Isa 37:8 אֶתלְֿבָבוֺ נֶאֱמָן ׳וּמ Neh 9:8 כָּתוּב בספר ׳מ Neh 7:5; Neh 8:14 especially late, 1Chr 20:2; 2Chr 25:5; Dan 1:20; Dan 7:26.
e. = learn, devise Eccl 7:27 (twice in verse); Eccl 7:29. feminine = experience sorrow Ps 116:3, compare Eccl 7:14.

2. find out:
a. find out thoroughly, explore: object God Job 11:7 (twice in verse); Job 37:23 God's works Eccl 3:11; Eccl 8:17 (3 t. in verse), compare Eccl 7:24.
b. = detect sin, crime, usually in (ב) one, 2Kgs 17:4; 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:6; 1Sam 29:8; Hos 12:9 כְּיָדִי מְאוּמָה ׳לֹא מ 1Sam 12:5 detect evil in God Jer 2:5 subject God Jer 2:34; Jer 23:11 עֲוֺן עֲבָדֶיךָ ׳מ Gen 44:16 (J), compare Ps 36:3 absolute Ps 10:15; Ps 17:3 .
c. = guess, solve riddle Judg 14:12; Judg 14:18 compare Prov 8:12.

3. = come upon, light upon:
a. often unexpectedly = happen upon, with accusative of thing, money Gen 44:8 (J), book 2Kgs 22:8; 2Kgs 23:24 = 2Chr 34:14; 2Chr 34:15, compare Neh 7:5 honey Prov 25:16, ship Jonah 1:3 a plain Gen 11:2 (J), jawbone Judg 15:15 ark of ׳י Ps 132:6 (according to some, but dubious; Bae proposes הוֺצֵאנוּהָ); indefinite Ezek 3:1 (strike out ᵐ5 Co); with accusative of person = meet, fall in with Gen 4:14; Gen 4:15 compare Jer 50:7; Gen 37:15; Gen 37:17 (all J), 1Sam 9:11; 1Sam 30:11; Deut 22:23; Deut 22:25; Deut 22:27; Deut 22:28; 1Kgs 13:24; 1Kgs 20:36; 2Kgs 4:29; 2Kgs 10:13; 2Kgs 10:15; Song 3:3; Song 5:7; Song 5:8; Song 8:1 come upon = discover, Num 15:22; Num 15:33 of ׳י meeting (finding) Israel in desert Hos 9:10 compare Hos 12:5; Deut 32:10 angel finding Hagar Gen 16:7 (J); ׳י finding David Ps 89:21.
b. hit, with accusative of person, subject bowmen 1Sam 31:3 = 1Chr 10:3 subject axe Deut 19:5.
c. subject hand Isa 10:14 (figurative, in metaphor, of reaching nests), compare vIsa 10:10, 1Sam 23:17 (of Saul's taking David), Ps 21:9 (followed by לְ), vPs 21:9 (c, accusative); כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תִּמְצָא יָָֽדְךָ לַעֲשׂוֺת Eccl 9:10 sin (i.e. its punishment) will light upon you Num 32:23.
d. subject fire, קֹצִים כִּי תֵצֵא אֵשׁ וּמָֽצְאָה Exod 22:5 (E).
e. befal, with accusative of person Josh 2:23 (JE); of evil Gen 44:34 (J), Deut 4:30; Deut 31:17 (twice in verse); Deut 31:21; Judg 6:13; 2Kgs 7:9; Job 31:29; Ps 116:3; Ps 119:143; Esth 8:6 subject תְּלָאָה Exod 18:8 (E), Num 20:14 (JE), Neh 9:32.

4. noteworthy phrases are: יָדֶ֑ךָ ׳כַּאֲשֶׁר תִּמ Judg 9:33 according to what thy hand findeth, i.e. as the occasion may demand, so 1Sam 10:7 (with accusative; compare Eccl 9:10 3 c); but Eccl 25:8 = what thou chancest to have, compare כְלִי זָהָב ׳אֲשֶׁר מ Num 31:50 (P); וְלֹא יִמְצָאֻהוּ Job 20:8 = and he shall not be, shall no longer exist, compare Isa 41:12; Eccl 9:15 they found in it = there happened to be in it; אֶתלִֿבּוֺ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל ׳מ 2Sam 7:27 he found the heart (took courage) to pray = 1Chr 17:25 (omit אתלֿבו, perhaps ancient textual error); לֹא מָֽצְאוּ יְדֵיהֶם Ps 76:6 they did not find their hands, were not able to use them, were paralyzed; חַיַּת יָדֵךְ מָצָאתְ Isa 57:10 = (perhaps) experience renewal of thy strength (compare I. חַיָּה above Che^Comm.; for other interpretations of ׳ח, ידך, see Ew Di Du Che^Hpt); כְּדֵי נְאֻלָּתוֺ וּמָצָא Lev 25:26 = and he find (that he has) enough for its redemption (compare דַּי), so דֵּי הָשִׁיב מָֽצְאָה יָדוֺ vLev 25:28, יָדָהּ דֵּי שֶׂה ׳תִּמ Lev 12:8 (compare תַּגִּיעַ Lev 5:7); without דַּי, וְלֹא מָֽצְאוּ לָהֶם כֵּן Judg 21:14 = (probably) and they (the Israelites) did not find enough for them, even so (compare GFM); also וּמָצָא לָהֶם Num 11:22 (twice in verse) (JE) and so one find (= there be found) enough for them (compare Niph`al Josh 17:16; Zech 10:10).

Niph`al Perfect נִמְצָא 1Sam 13:22 +; 3 feminine singular נמצאה Jer 48:27 Kt Gf; < נִמְצָא Qr Gie; 2 feminine singular נִמְצֵאת Jer 50:24 1 singular נִמְצֵאתִי Isa 65:1, וְנִמְצֵאתִי consecutive Jer 29:14 3 plural נִמְצְאוּ Deut 22:30 +, הַנִּמְצְאוּ 1Chr 29:17 (הַּ = rel., compare Da^{Synt. § 22 R. 4} Kö^{Synt. § 52}); Imperfect יִמָּצֵא Gen 44:9 +; 3 feminine singular תִּמָּצֵא Exod 22:3 +; 2 feminine singular תִּמּצְאִי Ezek 26:21 3 masculine plural יִמּצְאוּן Gen 18:29; Gen 18:30; Gen 18:31; Gen 18:32, וַיִּמָּֽצְאוּ 1Chr 24:4; 2Chr 4:16 3 feminine plural תִּמָּצֶ֑אינָה Jer 50:20 Infinitive הִמָּצֵא Exod 22:3 ( = Infinitive absolute compare Ba^{NB 74}), suffix הִמָּֽצְאוֺ Isa 55:6 Participle נִמְצָא Judg 20:48 +, feminine singular נִמְצָאָ֑ה 2Kgs 19:4 = Isa 37:4 plural נִמְצְאִים 1Sam 13:15 + 11 t.; נִמְצָאִים only Ezra 8:25 suffix 2 feminine singular נִמְצָאַיִךְ Isa 22:3 נִמְצָאוֺת Gen 19:15; Judg 20:48 — passive of Qal, be found:

1. a. of a thing lost (asses) 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 10:2; 1Sam 10:16 stolen Gen 44:9; Gen 44:10; Gen 44:12; Gen 44:16; Gen 44:17 (J); Exod 21:16 (all with בְּיַד); sought, wisdom Job 28:12; Job 28:13; Prov 10:13
b. of thing found unexpectedly, book 2Kgs 22:13; 2Kgs 23:2 = 2Chr 34:21; 2Chr 34:30 of corpse Deut 21:1.
c. = be lighted upon, encountered; of breaches in temple 2Kgs 12:6 of cities Judg 20:48b; of persons in captured city 2Kgs 25:19 (twice in verse) = Jer 52:25 (twice in verse), Deut 20:11, compare Exod 9:19 (J), Judg 20:48a Isa 13:15; Isa 22:3; Jer 41:8 be discovered, of a condition, situation Deut 22:20 (בתולים); טוֺב נִמְצָאבֿוֺ דָּבָר 1Kgs 14:13, compare 2Chr 19:3.
d. be found written (כתוב), Neh 13:1; Esth 6:2 of persons Dan 12:1.
e. = appeared, were recognized, of words of ׳י Jer 15:16. feminine of persons sought Gen 18:29; Gen 18:30; Gen 18:21; Gen 18:32 (J), Josh 10:17 (JE), 1Sam 10:21; 2Sam 7:12; 1Chr 26:31 in geneal. register Ezra 2:62 = Neh 7:64 of ׳י, specifically, let himself be found of (by) any one: followed by לְ person Isa 65:1; Jer 29:14; 1Chr 28:9; 2Chr 15:2; 2Chr 15:4; 2Chr 15:15, absolute Isa 55:6.
g. = be discovered, detected: (1) of iniquity, crime: Exod 22:3 (twice in verse) (E), 1Sam 25:28; 1Kgs 1:52; Jer 2:34; Ezek 28:15; Job 19:28; Mal 2:6, compare Mic 1:13; 2Chr 36:8; Esth 2:23. (2) of wrong-doers Exod 22:1; Exod 22:6; Exod 22:7 (E), Deut 22:22; Deut 22:28; Deut 24:7; Jer 2:26; Jer 48:27; Jer 50:24 (|| נִלְבַּדְתְּ, נִתְפַּשְׂתְּ), Prov 6:31; Ezra 10:18.
h. = be gained, secured, as a crop, of fruit, figurative מִמֶּנִּי פֶּדְיְךָ נִמְצָא Hos 14:9 (compare Qal Gen 26:12; Eccl 11:1)
i. = be discoverable, to be found Job 42:15; Dan 1:19 (compare Isa 55:6 above 1 f).

2. be found = be:
a. with בְּיַד be found in one's hand = onehappens to have 1Sam 9:8; 1Sam 13:22 (twice in verse), compare (without ביד) 1Sam 23:4.
b. with לְ person, = be in the possession of: Deut 21:17, with אֶתֿ (preposition) person Exod 35:23; Exod 35:24; 1Chr 29:8.
c. be found in (ב) a place, especially of wealth, treasure, Gen 47:14 (J), 2Kgs 12:11; 2Kgs 12:19; 2Kgs 14:14; 2Kgs 16:8; 2Kgs 18:15; 2Kgs 20:13 = Isa 39:2; 2Kgs 22:9; 2Chr 21:17; 2Chr 25:24; 2Chr 34:17 compare Exod 12:19; Jer 41:3; 1Chr 4:41 = happen to be, be, Deut 17:2; Deut 18:10; Jer 5:26; Isa 35:9; Isa 51:3; Isa 65:8 with negative = be no more Zeph 3:13; Ezek 26:21; Ps 37:36 (|| אֵינֶנּוּ), Dan 11:19.
d. = be left after war, violence, etc., 1Sam 13:19; 2Sam 17:13; Isa 30:14; 2Kgs 19:4 = Isa 37:4.
e. = be present Gen 19:15 (J), 1Sam 13:15; 1Sam 13:16; 1Sam 21:4 especially late, 1Chr 29:17; 2Chr 5:11; 2Chr 29:29; 2Chr 30:21; 2Chr 31:1; 2Chr 34:32; 2Chr 34:33; 2Chr 35:7; 2Chr 35:17; 2Chr 35:18; Ezra 8:25; Esth 1:5; Esth 4:16. feminine = prove to be, after numbering, 1Chr 24:4; 2Chr 2:16 of ׳י, עֶזְדָה בְצָדוֺת נִמְצָא Ps 46:2.

3. be (found) sufficient: לֹא יִמָצֵא לָנוּ הָהָד Josh 17:16 (JE), compare Zech 10:10 (also Qal Num 11:22; Judg 21:14).

Hiph`il Perfect 1 singular suffix הִמְצִיתִךָ 2Sam 3:8 3 masculine plural הִמְצִיאוּ Lev 9:13 Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix 3 masculine singular יַמְצִאֶנּוּ Job 34:11, יַמְצִאֵהוּ Job 37:13 3 masculine plural וַיַמְצִאוּ Lev 9:12; Lev 9:18 Participle מַמְצִיא Zech 11:6 —

1. cause to find, attain, with accusative of person Job 34:11 (subject God).

2. cause to light upon, come upon, come with accusative of cloud Job 37:13 (dubious)

3. cause to encounter, deliver up to, with accusative of person, + בְּיַד 2Sam 3:8 (subject man), Zech 11:6 (subject God).

4. present unto (אֶלֿ), of Aaron's sons ministering unto him, with accusative of offering, and of blood, Lev 9:12; Lev 9:13; Lev 9:18.

מֹצָא see מוֺוצָא below יצא. p. 425f

מַצָּב, נֻצָּב, מַצָּבָה, מַצֵּבָה מַצֶּ֫בֶת see נצב.

354 occurrences

Genesis (46), Exodus (14), Leviticus (6), Numbers (10), Deuteronomy (21), Joshua (3), Judges (12), Ruth (2), I Samuel (31), II Samuel (8), I Kings (13), II Kings (20), I Chronicles (9), II Chronicles (27), Ezra (3), Nehemiah (7), Esther (8), Job (16), Psalms (7), Proverbs (17), Ecclesiastes (12), Song of Solomon (9), Isaiah (16), Jeremiah (19), Lamentations (4), Ezekiel (3), Daniel (3), Hosea (2), Jonah (1), Micah (1), Zephaniah (1), Zechariah (2), Malachi (1)