Lexical Summary mesab or mesibbim or mesibboth: Surroundings, round about, encircling Original Word: מֵסַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance that compass about, place round about, at table Plural masculine mcibbiym {mes-ib-beem'}; or feminine mcibbowth {mes-ib-bohth'}; from cabab; a divan (as enclosing the room); abstractly (adverbial) around -- that compass about, (place) round about, at table. see HEBREW cabab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sabab Definition that which surrounds or is round NASB Translation changes direction (1), round about (1), surrounding area (1), table (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֵסַב noun [masculine] that which surrounds, or is round; — 1. a. plural surrounding places, מְסִבֵּי ׳יְרוּשׁ 2 Kings 23:5 places round about Jerusalem. b. as adverb מֵסַב round about 1 Kings 6:29; feminine plural מְסִבּוֺת on all sides, in all directions, Job 37:12 (of cloud Di < of lightning Bu Du). 2 suffix מְסִבּוֺ Songs 1:12 dubious: round table Ew De; cushion, divan Bae Kau; compare on all these Bu. — מְסִבָּ֑י Psalm 140:10 see סבב Hiph`il Topical Lexicon Semantic Field and Nuances מֵסַב consistently describes a surrounding space or circular movement. Whether physical (walls, clouds), social (enemies, companions), or cultic (districts around Jerusalem), the word highlights what encircles a central reality. It thus draws attention to both the center (often the LORD or His anointed) and the circumference that either serves or threatens that center. Sacred Architecture and Symbolic Carvings – 1 Kings 6:29 In Solomon’s temple the term marks the decorative band that ran “all around the inner and outer rooms.” The golden‐overlaid cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers formed a visual ring testifying that heaven and earth converge at the house where the LORD dwells. מֵסַב therefore underlines the wholeness and harmony intended in worship: God at the center, creation encircling in praise. Purging Idolatry: Districts around Jerusalem – 2 Kings 23:5 Josiah’s reform “eliminated the idolatrous priests … in the places all around Jerusalem.” Here מֵסַב demarcates the contested spiritual environment encircling the holy city. The verse portrays covenant faithfulness radiating outward; holiness cannot remain an isolated core but must cleanse the circumference. The passage challenges leaders to guard not only the sanctuary but every sphere that surrounds it. Divine Management of the Cosmos – Job 37:12 Elihu says the storm clouds “turn round and round, directed by His guidance.” מֵסַב pictures the atmospheric circuit operating under divine command. The verse affirms God’s sovereign governance over natural cycles, reinforcing that what appears random is in fact ordered, purposeful, and responsive to His voice—a truth that steadies faith amid seemingly chaotic circumstances. Encircling Adversaries and Covenant Confidence – Psalm 140:9 David prays, “May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.” Encirclement can convey threat; yet the psalmist invokes righteous reversal. מֵסַב thus becomes a motif of spiritual warfare, highlighting that the LORD can invert hostile rings into protective hedges for His people. It encourages believers to pray confidently when opposition closes in. Intimate Fellowship at the King’s Table – Song of Solomon 1:12 “While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.” The Hebrew points to a low, round dining arrangement. מֵסַב evokes shared intimacy: the beloved’s fragrance permeates the circle, symbolizing mutual delight. For the church, the image prefigures communion where Christ, the greater King, sits amid His people and receives their devotion. Unifying Theology: God at the Center Across the five occurrences a single thread emerges: what surrounds derives its meaning from the center. Whether worship carvings, territorial reforms, meteorological circuits, hostile forces, or bridal fellowship, each context underscores that life’s periphery must align with God’s purposes. The term quietly but powerfully asserts the truth of Proverbs 4:23—“Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Practical Ministry Insights • Cultivate environments—homes, congregations, even city blocks—that visibly testify to God’s presence. Messianic and Ecclesial Resonances Jesus embodies the center around which all things cohere (Colossians 1:17). At the cross He bore hostile encirclement (Psalm 22:12–16) so that the redeemed might be “a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD” (Isaiah 62:3), encircling Him in worship (Revelation 4:6–11). Thus מֵסַב ultimately points to the consummated kingdom, where the Lamb is enthroned and “a great multitude … encircled the throne” in eternal praise. Forms and Transliterations בִּמְסִבּ֔וֹ במסבו וּמְסִבֵּ֖י ומסבי מְסִבָּ֑י מְסִבּ֨וֹת ׀ מֵסַ֣ב ׀ מסב מסבות מסבי bim·sib·bōw bimsibBo bimsibbōw mê·saḇ mə·sib·bāy mə·sib·bō·wṯ mêsaḇ meSav mesibBai məsibbāy mesibBot məsibbōwṯ ū·mə·sib·bê ūməsibbê umesibBeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 6:29 HEB: קִיר֨וֹת הַבַּ֜יִת מֵסַ֣ב ׀ קָלַ֗ע פִּתּוּחֵי֙ NAS: of the house round about with carved engravings KJV: of the house round about with carved INT: the walls of the house round carved carved 2 Kings 23:5 Job 37:12 Psalm 140:9 Songs 1:12 5 Occurrences |
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