BESOM (broom) (מַטְאֲטֵא, H4748). This Heb. word which occurs only in Isaiah 14:23 is tr. as “besom” in KJV and NEB. A more common rendering, esp. in American Eng. of the word “besom,” is usually by the word “broom.” In the Isaiah passage the prophet is portraying a figurative sweeper with which God will sweep away Babylon. This sweeper or mop used in everyday life prob. came from the broom plant found in the area of Pal.