Besom
Artifactsâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Hebrew term maT'ate', rendered as 'besom' in older English translations, refers to a broom or sweeping implement and appears in Isaiah 14:23 to symbolize the complete eradication of Babylon.
What is the meaning of Besom in the Bible?
The Hebrew term maT'ate', rendered as 'besom' in older English translations, refers to a broom or sweeping implement and appears in Isaiah 14:23 to symbolize the complete eradication of Babylon.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this term clarifies the prophetic imagery of total removal, illustrating how ordinary household tools were utilized to convey the certainty and thoroughness of divine judgment.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Besom in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Besom clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.