Lexical Summary
machtereth: Burglary, breaking in, break-in
Original Word:מַחְתֶּרֶת
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:machtereth
Pronunciation:makh-teh'-reth
Phonetic Spelling:(makh-teh'-reth)
KJV: breaking up, secret search
NASB:breaking
Word Origin:[fromH2864 (חָתַר - dig)]
1. a burglary
2. (figuratively) unexpected examination
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
breaking up, secret search
Fromchathar; a burglary; figuratively, unexpected examination -- breaking up, secret search.
see HEBREWchathar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chatharDefinitiona breaking in, burglary
NASB Translationbreaking (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
—
Exodus 22:1 i.e. caught in the act (JE); so
Jeremiah 2:34,
not in the act of breaking in didst thou find them (2 feminine singular suffix Ges
§ 44, 2, R 4), i.e. those whom thou hast slain were not detected in crime.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeמַחְתֶּרֶת designates a concealed hole or tunnel made by a thief in order to gain illicit access to a dwelling. By extension it speaks to nocturnal burglary and the danger it poses both to property and to life.
Occurrences
•Exodus 22:2
•Jeremiah 2:34
Although the term appears only twice, each context sheds unique light on Israel’s law and prophetic theology regarding crime, justice, and moral accountability.
Legal and Social Context (Exodus 22:2)
1. Protection of Life and Property
– The Torah permits lethal force when a thief is discovered “breaking in” at night: “If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed” (Exodus 22:2).
– Nighttime intrusion implied malicious intent and imminent threat, justifying immediate self-defense without blood-guilt.
2. Preservation of Due Process
– Daytime theft (Exodus 22:3) required restitution rather than death, illustrating Israel’s balanced concern for both justice and restraint.
– The distinction encouraged respect for law while dissuading vigilantism.
3. Societal Stability
– By criminalizing burglary and delineating homeowner rights, the Law upheld personal security, a cornerstone of covenant community life (Leviticus 19:18).
Prophetic Usage (Jeremiah 2:34)
Jeremiah indicts Judah: “On your skirts is found the blood of the innocent poor, though you did not find them breaking in” (Jeremiah 2:34).
– The accusation exposes hypocrisy: Judah sheds innocent blood yet claims ignorance, while the Law only excused bloodshed in the case of an aggressor caught in מַחְתֶּרֶת.
– The imagery underscores covenant violation—God’s people have reversed moral order by punishing the blameless and protecting the guilty.
Theological Insights
• Sanctity of Human Life
– Even defensive violence is narrowly defined; unnecessary bloodshed is condemned (Deuteronomy 19:10).
• Justice Tempered with Mercy
– Restitution for theft (Exodus 22:3–4) reflects God’s desire for restoration rather than vengeance.
• Light versus Darkness
– Burglary occurs under cover of darkness; Scripture often pairs physical night with moral evil (John 3:19).
Historical Background
Ancient Near Eastern law codes (e.g., Code of Hammurabi, §21) likewise permitted killing a tunneling burglar at night, confirming the common understanding that darkness concealed identity and intent. Israel’s legislation, however, uniquely ties this allowance to covenant ethics and accountability before Yahweh.
Practical Ministry Applications
1. Personal Security and Stewardship
– Believers are stewards of God-given resources; safeguarding them is appropriate when done within biblical limits.
2. Addressing Modern Crime
– Churches can advocate for justice systems that differentiate between violent and non-violent offenses, mirroringExodus 22’s graduated penalties.
3. Gospel Illustration
– Christ likens His return to a thief’s unexpected entry (Matthew 24:43), urging vigilance and readiness—an analogy rooted in the cultural reality of מַחְתֶּרֶת.
Related Concepts and Scriptures
•Proverbs 6:30–31 – Theft, hunger, and restitution
•Job 24:14–16 – Night thieves and moral darkness
•Matthew 6:19 – Earthly treasures subject to thieves
•1 Thessalonians 5:2 – “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”
Summary
מַחְתֶּרֶת encapsulates more than a criminal act; it frames divine principles of justice, protection, and moral clarity. In law, it justified defensive force under restricted circumstances. In prophecy, it became a mirror exposing national sin. Together these passages advance the biblical theme that true security lies not merely in walls and vigilance but in covenant faithfulness to the Lord who judges every hidden deed.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּמַּחְתֶּ֛רֶת בַמַּחְתֶּ֥רֶת במחתרת bam·maḥ·te·reṯ ḇam·maḥ·te·reṯ bammachTeret bammaḥtereṯ ḇammaḥtereṯ vammachTeret
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
