Lexical Summary meshar: Uprightness, equity, fairness, level path Original Word: מֵישָׁר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance agreement, aright, that are equal, equity, things that are righteously, things, sweetlyFrom yashar; evenness, i.e. (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, i.e. (figuratively) rectitude (only in plural with singular sense; often adverbially) -- agreement, aright, that are equal, equity, (things that are) right(-eously, things), sweetly, upright(-ly, -ness). see HEBREW yashar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yashar Definition evenness, uprightness, equity NASB Translation equity (8), peaceful arrangement (1), right things (1), rightly (1), sincerity (1), smooth (1), smoothly (2), things that are upright (1), uprightly (1), uprightness (1), what is right (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מֵישָׁר] noun masculine evenness, uprightness, equity; — only plural: מֵשָׁרִים Proverbs 1:3; elsewhere מֵישָׁרִים Isaiah 26:7 17t.; — 1 evenness, level Isaiah 26:7, of path of righteous (in the future), figurative for free from difficulties; smoothness, of the flow of wine, ׳בְּמ Proverbs 23:31; ׳למ Cant 7:10. 2 in ethical sense, uprightness, equity, as taught in the school of wisdom Proverbs 8:6, "" צֶדֶק Proverbs 1:3; Proverbs 2:9; of government ׳(ב)מ Psalm 9:9; Psalm 58:2; Psalm 75:3; Psalm 96:10; Psalm 99:4; of speech Isaiah 33:15; Proverbs 23:16; of Yahweh's promises Isaiah 45:19; ׳רצה מ 1 Chronicles 29:17 have pleasure in equity; ׳עשׂה מ Daniel 11:6 make an equitable arrangement. 3 adverb rightly, with חזה Psalm 17:2; אהב Songs 1:4. Topical Lexicon Concept and Semantic Range מֵישָׁר (meyshar) gathers up the ideas of straightness, levelness, equity and integrity. Whether describing a physical terrain without obstacles, a judicial decision untainted by partiality, or moral conduct free from crooked motives, the term consistently points to what is unbent, even, and right. Distribution and Literary Settings • Historical Narrative – 1 Chronicles 29:17 Nineteen occurrences cluster around three major genres: praise/prophecy (Psalms–Isaiah), wisdom (Proverbs–Song of Solomon), and royal-historical material (1 Chronicles; Daniel). Judicial Uprightness Several psalms use מֵישָׁר to celebrate Yahweh as the perfectly equitable Judge. The term underscores that divine adjudication is never capricious; it rests on an unwavering standard of fairness. The believer’s assurance of ultimate justice grows from this attribute. Earthly rulers are thereby measured and summoned to administer true equity (Psalm 58:1; 75:2). Ethical Straightness Proverbs applies מֵישָׁר to personal character. Here “equity” identifies the unvarying moral plumb line by which wisdom trains hearts to walk level paths (cf. Isaiah 26:7). The word is inseparable from covenant faithfulness; integrity in business, speech, and relationships is supposed to mirror Yahweh’s own rectitude. Straight Paths and Safe Passage Isaiah widens the term to communal hope: “The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright” (Isaiah 26:7). In ancient travel, a leveled highway symbolized relief from stumbling and danger. Spiritually, the Lord engineers such a roadway for His people, prefiguring the way prepared for the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3 uses the cognate noun מִישֹׁר). Delightful Sweetness A striking metaphor emerges in Song of Solomon. The bridegroom’s love “is more delightful than wine” and his “mouth is sweetest,” literally “uprightnesses” (Song of Solomon 1:4; 7:9). The same root that depicts legal fairness here portrays the pure, unadulterated flavor of covenant love—nothing diluted, nothing crooked. Warning Against Crooked Intoxication Proverbs 23:31 cautions, “Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.” The smooth slide of wine contrasts with the upright smoothness of righteous paths. What seems pleasant can lead to moral staggering, a reminder that genuine מֵישָׁר is found in holiness, not fleshly indulgence. Christological Trajectory The righteous reign celebrated in Psalms 96, 98, and 99 culminates in Jesus Christ, the Davidic King who “will reign on the throne of David and over His kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness” (Isaiah 9:7). His equitable judgment in Acts 17:31 answers the hope voiced in the Hebrew Scriptures. Every occurrence of מֵישָׁר anticipates the Messiah’s flawless equity. Historical and Cultural Background In the Ancient Near East, royal inscriptions boasted of leveling roads and dispensing just verdicts. Israel’s prophets adopted that imagery, yet anchored it not in human kingship but in Yahweh’s covenant. The contrast is vivid in Daniel 11:6, where political alliances fail to secure מֵישָׁר. Only divine sovereignty sustains true equity. Ministry Applications 1. Preaching and Teaching – Emphasize God’s unwavering standard; call hearers to align decisions, relationships, and social structures with His equity. Intercanonical Echoes • Luke 3:5 quotes Isaiah’s highway imagery, signaling the dawn of New Testament fulfillment. Summary מֵישָׁר threads the Old Testament with the vision of a world made straight—courts honest, roads safe, hearts pure, love unalloyed. Its nineteen appearances trace the promise from David’s throne through prophetic longing to messianic consummation. In every age the word summons God’s people to walk the level way and to trust the Judge whose equity never bows to corruption. Forms and Transliterations בְּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃ במישרים׃ וּ֝מֵישָׁרִ֗ים וּמֵישָׁרִ֖ים וּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃ ומישרים ומישרים׃ לְמֵישָׁרִ֑ים למישרים מֵֽישָׁרִ֑ים מֵישָׁרִ֑ים מֵישָׁרִ֖ים מֵישָׁרִ֥ים מֵישָׁרִֽים׃ מישרים מישרים׃ bə·mê·šā·rîm bemeishaRim bəmêšārîm lə·mê·šā·rîm lemeishaRim ləmêšārîm mê·šā·rîm meishaRim mêšārîm ū·mê·šā·rîm umeishaRim ūmêšārîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 29:17 HEB: בֹּחֵ֣ן לֵבָ֔ב וּמֵישָׁרִ֖ים תִּרְצֶ֑ה אֲנִ֗י NAS: and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity KJV: in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart INT: you try the heart uprightness and delight I Psalm 9:8 Psalm 17:2 Psalm 58:1 Psalm 75:2 Psalm 96:10 Psalm 98:9 Psalm 99:4 Proverbs 1:3 Proverbs 2:9 Proverbs 8:6 Proverbs 23:16 Proverbs 23:31 Songs 1:4 Songs 7:9 Isaiah 26:7 Isaiah 33:15 Isaiah 45:19 Daniel 11:6 19 Occurrences |
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