Lexical Summary mashshuoth: Banners, signals, ensigns Original Word: מַשּׁוּאָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance desolation, destruction Or mashshu ah {mash-shoo-aw'}; for mshow'ah; ruin -- desolation, destruction. see HEBREW mshow'ah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nasha Definition perhaps deceptions NASB Translation ruins (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַשּׁוּאוֺת noun feminine plural deceptions Psalm 73:18; Psalm 74:3, but meaning not suitable; read probably מְשׁוֺאוֺת, see מְשׁוֺאָה below שׁוא (so Klo NowHup Bae). Topical Lexicon Definition and Theological Theme מַשּׁוּאָה conveys the idea of complete devastation—ruin so thorough that only desolation remains. Scripture uses the term to underscore the certainty, suddenness, and totality of God’s judgment against wickedness, while simultaneously affirming His faithfulness to preserve the righteous. Usage in the Old Testament 1. Psalm 73:18 highlights the sudden downfall awaiting the arrogant: “Surely You set them on slippery places; You cast them down to destruction”. The word paints a picture of a precipitous collapse engineered by divine justice. Historical Context Psalm 73 is attributed to Asaph, a Levitical singer living in the early monarchy. Surrounded by opulent yet corrupt elites, he wrestles with the prosperity of the wicked until he enters the sanctuary and perceives their ultimate destiny—מַשּׁוּאָה. Psalm 74, traditionally linked to the aftermath of the Babylonian invasion, mourns the smoking remains of Solomon’s Temple. In both settings, the word serves as a sober reminder that earthly power cannot shield anyone from covenantal accountability. Intertextual Connections Though the exact term appears only twice, its theological counterpart surfaces across Scripture: Doctrinal Insights 1. Divine Justice: מַשּׁוּאָה assures believers that God’s moral order is not mocked. Ungodly success is temporary; judgment is inevitable. Implications for Ministry • Preaching: The term warns complacent hearts and comforts those troubled by apparent triumphs of evil. Personal and Corporate Application Believers should examine life choices in light of eternity, recognizing that unrepented sin courts ruin. Meanwhile, congregations facing external hostility or internal failure can recall that destruction is never final for those who cling to the Covenant-Keeper. Mourning turns to mission when ruins become places where God’s restorative glory can again dwell (Haggai 2:9). Forms and Transliterations לְמַשֻּׁא֣וֹת לְמַשּׁוּאֽוֹת׃ למשאות למשואות׃ lə·maš·šu·’ō·wṯ lə·maš·šū·’ō·wṯ lemashshuot ləmaššu’ōwṯ ləmaššū’ōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 73:18 HEB: לָ֑מוֹ הִ֝פַּלְתָּ֗ם לְמַשּׁוּאֽוֹת׃ KJV: thou castedst them down into destruction. INT: set cast destruction Psalm 74:3 2 Occurrences |
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