Lexical Summary miskenuth: Poverty, need, wretchedness Original Word: מִסְכֵּנֻת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scarceness From micken; indigence -- scarceness. see HEBREW micken NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as misken Definition poverty, scarcity NASB Translation scarcity (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִסְכֵּנֻת noun feminine poverty, scarcity, Deuteronomy 8:9. מִסְכְּנוֺת see I. סכן. מְסִלָּה, מַסְלוּל see סלל. [מִסְמֵר], מַסְמְרִים etc. see סמר (שׂמר). Topical Lexicon Overview The word מִסְכֵּנֻת appears a single time in Scripture and describes the absence of provision that characterizes want or scarcity. Its lone placement in Deuteronomy 8:9, positioned within Moses’ rehearsal of covenant blessings, frames it as the negative backdrop against which divine abundance shines. Biblical Setting Deuteronomy records Israel on the border of Canaan. Moses contrasts the barrenness of the wilderness with the “good land” the LORD is giving: “a land where you will eat bread without scarcity; you will lack nothing” (Deuteronomy 8:9). Scarcity had marked Egypt (Exodus 16:3) and the desert (Numbers 11:5–6). The promise of a life free from מִסְכֵּנֻת becomes a tangible sign of covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 8:7–10). Theology of Provision 1. Divine Sufficiency. The Lord’s ability to eliminate scarcity proclaims His self-sufficiency and His readiness to supply His people (Psalm 23:1; Philippians 4:19). Historical Reflection Agriculturally, Canaan was uniquely situated: early and latter rains, fertile valleys, and mineral-rich hillsides (Deuteronomy 8:9b). Archaeological surveys reveal ample water retention systems and terraced farming that contrasted sharply with Egypt’s dependence on the Nile. Moses leverages this contrast to underscore the miracle of future plenty. Intertextual Echoes • Psalm 34:10 – “Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Together these passages weave a canonical thread: scarcity is temporary for those under God’s care. Ministerial Significance 1. Stewardship. Freedom from scarcity invites generous distribution (2 Corinthians 9:8–11). Practical Applications • Encourage congregations to recount past wilderness seasons to magnify current grace. Summary מִסְכֵּנֻת crystallizes the dread of want that haunts fallen creation. Its solitary use in Deuteronomy 8:9 magnifies the LORD’s pledge to eliminate lack for His covenant people. From Israel’s settlement in Canaan to the believer’s hope of the New Jerusalem, Scripture consistently moves from scarcity to sufficiency, urging trust, gratitude, and faithful stewardship along the journey. Forms and Transliterations בְמִסְכֵּנֻת֙ במסכנת ḇə·mis·kê·nuṯ ḇəmiskênuṯ vemiskeNutLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 8:9 HEB: אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹ֤א בְמִסְכֵּנֻת֙ תֹּֽאכַל־ בָּ֣הּ NAS: without scarcity, in which you will not lack KJV: without scarceness, thou shalt not lack INT: where without scarcity will eat food 1 Occurrence |
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