Lexical Summary masak: To pour, to mix, to weave, to cover Original Word: מָסַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mingle A primitive root; to mix, especially wine (with spices) -- mingle. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to mix, produce by mixing NASB Translation mingled (1), mixed (3), mixing (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָסַךְ verb mix, produce by mixing (compare perhaps מזג, מֶזֶג BaES 33, 51); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳מ Isaiah 19:14; מָֽסְכָה Proverbs 9:2; מָסָ֑כְתִּי Proverbs 9:5; Psalm 102:10; Infinitive construct מְסֹךְ Isaiah 5:22; — 1 pour, only figurative, בְּקִרְבָּהּ ׳מ רוּחַ עִוְעִים Isaiah 19:14 (subject ׳מ); mix, with accusative שֵׁכָר Isaiah 5:22; i.e. make a choice drink by mixing with spices, etc. (mixing with water came later, compare 2Macc 15:39) Löwp. 419 Frä162f, 171 f. NowArchaeology 1, 120 BenzArchaeology 95; object יַיִן figurative, subject wisdom Proverbs 9:2,5; שִׁקֻּוַי בִּבְכִי מָסָ֑כְתִּי Psalm 102:10 my drink with weeping have I mixed (see Assyrian [akâl] ul âkul, bikîtum kurmati, mê ul aštî, dîmtu maštîtî ZimBP 34). Topical Lexicon Root Idea of Mixing The verb expresses the intentional blending of liquids or elements to create a new, prepared drink. Across its five occurrences, it always points to an act carried out with purpose—whether to refresh, to honor, or to judge. Cultural and Historical Background In the ancient Near East, wine was normally diluted with water and often enhanced with spices (compare Song of Solomon 8:2). Such “mixed wine” distinguished a formal banquet from everyday fare. Skilled hosts prided themselves on the quality of the mixture, while kings employed cupbearers to ensure both flavor and safety. Because a cup could bear blessing or poison, the image of mixing carried moral weight. Scripture therefore uses the concept both positively (Wisdom’s feast) and negatively (drunken excess or divine judgment). Occurrences in Scripture 1. Psalm 102:9 — personal lament: “For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears.” Wisdom’s Banquet (Proverbs 9:2, 5) The mixed wine of Lady Wisdom embodies abundance, order, and moral insight. Her careful preparation contrasts sharply with the hasty, stolen pleasures offered by Folly (Proverbs 9:13–18). Accepting her cup symbolizes embracing God’s revelation, leading to life (Proverbs 9:11). The text anticipates the New Testament picture of Jesus turning water into superior wine (John 2:1–11) and offering the cup of the new covenant (Luke 22:20), both drawing on the imagery of well-mixed wine that grants true joy. Prophetic Warnings (Isaiah 5:22) Isaiah condemns Judah’s elites who take pride in their stamina for strong drink and their skill in concocting intoxicating mixtures. Their self-indulgence erodes justice (Isaiah 5:23) and invites exile. Here mixing is not hospitality but a calculated push toward excess, revealing a heart that manipulates God’s gifts for selfish ends. Divine Judgment through Confusion (Isaiah 19:14) The LORD “mixes” a spirit of distortion within Egypt. The same action that can produce fragrant wine now produces bewilderment; God sovereignly blends circumstances so that a proud nation staggers like a drunkard. The passage underscores that the Lord alone controls the final outcome of every “mixture,” whether physical or spiritual. A Psalmist’s Bitter Cup (Psalm 102:9) In extreme affliction the psalmist mingles his drink with tears, turning the ordinary act of nourishment into a reminder of grief. The verse stands as a vivid picture of the depth of human lament; even the cup that should comfort is now seasoned with sorrow. Yet the psalm ends in confident hope of Zion’s restoration (Psalm 102:16-22), showing that tears mixed with faith are not wasted. Theological Themes • Stewardship of God’s gifts: Wine, rightly mixed, brings joy and life; wrongly mixed, it brings ruin. Practical Ministry Considerations 1. Discipleship: Teach believers to discern the mixtures they consume—media, relationships, ideologies—so that their hearts remain undiluted in devotion to Christ. The five brief appearances of this verb thus trace a rich arc—from deep personal lament, through wise invitation, to sober warning and divine judgment—affirming that every cup is ultimately under the Lord’s control and that those who drink from Wisdom’s table will never be put to shame. Forms and Transliterations לִמְסֹ֥ךְ למסך מָסְכָ֣ה מָסַ֥ךְ מָסָֽכְתִּי׃ מסך מסכה מסכתי׃ lim·sōḵ limSoch limsōḵ mā·sā·ḵə·tî mā·saḵ mā·sə·ḵāh maSach maSacheti māsaḵ māsāḵətî maseChah māsəḵāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 102:9 HEB: וְ֝שִׁקֻּוַ֗י בִּבְכִ֥י מָסָֽכְתִּי׃ NAS: like bread And mingled my drink KJV: like bread, and mingled my drink INT: my drink weeping and mingled Proverbs 9:2 Proverbs 9:5 Isaiah 5:22 Isaiah 19:14 5 Occurrences |
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