Lexical Summary masso: Tribute, burden, forced labor Original Word: מַשּׂא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance respect From nasa'; partiality (as a lifting up) -- respect. see HEBREW nasa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee nasa. Brown-Driver-Briggs מַשּׂא noun masculine lifting up; — only construct פָנִים ׳מ2Chronicles 19:7 = regarding of persons (partiality, see √ 1a (3); "" מִקַּחשֹֿׁחַד). Topical Lexicon Concept and ScopeThe term מַשּׂא in 2 Chronicles 19:7 expresses the idea of “showing partiality,” literally “lifting up the face” of someone before a judge. It addresses the corrupt practice of favoring one party over another on the basis of status, wealth, or relationship rather than truth and righteousness. Biblical Setting The word appears as King Jehoshaphat institutes judicial reform in Judah. After returning safely from the misguided alliance with Ahab (2 Chronicles 18), the king appoints judges throughout the land and warns them: “Now therefore, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice or partiality or bribery with the LORD our God.” (2 Chronicles 19:7) Here “partiality” translates מַשּׂא, highlighting the sin the new judges must avoid if they are to reflect the character of God. Divine Impartiality Scripture consistently declares that the LORD “shows no partiality and accepts no bribe” (Deuteronomy 10:17). Moses, Job, the chronicler, and the New Testament writers all affirm that God’s judgments are perfectly just (Job 34:19; Romans 2:11). Because the Creator values every person as His image-bearer, He refuses to “lift the face” of the powerful at the expense of the weak. Historical Significance Jehoshaphat’s reform (circa 870–848 BC) took place during a period of relative stability in Judah. By cleansing the courts of מַשּׂא, the king sought to reunite the nation around covenant faithfulness. The chronicler records this to teach post-exilic readers that national prosperity and divine favor are closely tied to a justice system mirroring God’s impartial nature. Broader Biblical Witness Although מַשּׂא itself is rare, the prohibition of favoritism permeates both Testaments: • “You shall not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15) These passages guard the unity of the covenant community by demanding equity across social boundaries. New Testament Fulfillment The impartiality of God reaches its fullest expression in the Gospel. Peter declares, “In truth I now understand that God does not show favoritism” (Acts 10:34), as Gentiles receive the Spirit alongside Jews. Through the cross, God judges sin without bias and offers salvation to “everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Ministry Implications 1. Leadership Integrity: Church elders and civil authorities must reject bribery and social pressures that would sway righteous judgment (1 Timothy 5:21). Christological Reflection At Calvary the perfect Judge bore judgment Himself, satisfying divine justice while extending impartial mercy. The cross dismantles every barrier of ethnicity, class, and gender, creating “one new man” in Christ (Ephesians 2:15). Therefore, any practice of מַשּׂא among God’s people is a denial of the Gospel’s leveling power. Summary Though מַשּׂא occurs only once, its message reverberates throughout Scripture: the God who rules the universe does so without partiality, and He commands His people to reflect that integrity in every sphere of life. Faithfulness to His character calls the church to equitable justice, unbiased love, and a Gospel that welcomes all who come to Christ in faith. Forms and Transliterations וּמַשֹּׂ֥א ומשא ū·maś·śō umasSo ūmaśśōLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 19:7 HEB: אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ עַוְלָ֛ה וּמַשֹּׂ֥א פָנִ֖ים וּמִקַּח־ KJV: our God, nor respect of persons, INT: our God iniquity respect of persons the taking 1 Occurrence |
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