Lexical Summary massach: Covering, screen, curtain Original Word: מַסָּח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance broken down From nacach in the sense of staving off; a cordon, (adverbially) or (as a) military barrier -- broken down. see HEBREW nacach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originperhaps from nasach Definition perhaps repulse, defense NASB Translation defense (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַסָּח dubious word, only in וּשְׂמַרְתֶּם אֶתמִֿשְׁמֶרֶת הַבַּיִת מַסָּ֑ח 2 Kings 11:6; Thes and others below v נסח = for plucking away i.e. repulse, defence, but very uncertain; probably textual error; omitted by ᵐ5B We Stap. 354; ᵐ5L Μεσσαε. [מִסְחָר] see סחר Topical Lexicon Word and Contextמַסָּח appears once in the Old Testament, in 2 Kings 11:6, where Jehoiada instructs the rotating Sabbath guard to “keep watch over the house for defense”. The term designates a protective watch or sentry duty placed as a living barrier to secure sacred space. Historical Setting in 2 Kings 11 Athaliah had usurped the throne of Judah and threatened the extinction of the Davidic line. In the seventh year Jehoiada revealed the hidden boy-king Joash, arranging a careful three-fold guard around the temple precincts. מַסָּח names this strategic cordon. The role was not merely military; it preserved covenant continuity, protecting both the royal heir and the temple during a decisive moment in redemptive history. Symbolic and Theological Themes 1. Covenant preservation: The guard served the larger purpose of safeguarding the promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Connections with the Biblical Motif of Watchfulness While מַסָּח is unique, Scripture frequently employs watch-language (שָׁמַר, מִשְׁמֶרֶת) for priests, prophets, and believers (Exodus 27:21; Ezekiel 33:7; 1 Peter 5:8). Each instance underscores alertness for the sake of covenant fidelity. In 2 Kings 11 the concept is intensified: the guard is not only alert but physically stands between the holy place and any threat. Implications for Worship and Ministry Today • Spiritual vigilance: Just as the Levites formed a living bulwark, congregations are called to guard doctrine, worship, and moral integrity (1 Timothy 6:20). Christological Reflections Joash, the saved king, prefigures the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ. The defensive watch that shielded Joash anticipates the Father’s sovereign preservation of the Messianic line, culminating in the birth of Christ (Galatians 4:4). Moreover, Jesus now stands as the ultimate guardian of His church (John 10:27-29), fulfilling the ideal embodied in מַסָּח. Summary מַסָּח in 2 Kings 11:6 portrays a purposeful human barrier established to preserve both temple and throne at a turning point in Judah’s history. Though the term appears only once, its themes of vigilant protection, covenant faithfulness, and sanctified leadership resonate throughout Scripture and continue to inform the church’s mission to “guard the good deposit” entrusted to her. Forms and Transliterations מַסָּֽח׃ מסח׃ mas·sāḥ masSach massāḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 11:6 HEB: מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת הַבַּ֖יִת מַסָּֽח׃ NAS: watch over the house for defense. KJV: of the house, that it be not broken down. INT: watch the house defense 1 Occurrence |
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