Lexical Summary mishchar: Earnest seeking, diligent search Original Word: מִשְׁחָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance morning From shachar in the sense of day breaking; dawn -- morning. see HEBREW shachar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as shachar Definition dawn NASB Translation dawn (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִשְׁחָר noun [masculine] dawn; — ׳מֵרֶחֶם מ Psalm 110:3, but מ probably dittograph, read שַׁחַר (Du, compare Buhl). Topical Lexicon Definition and Imagery This rare Hebrew noun evokes the first glow of sunlight breaking the horizon. Scripture speaks of sunrise as the moment new mercies appear (Lamentations 3:23) and darkness recedes (Job 38:12-13). In its single occurrence the term paints a vivid portrait of birth, purity, and fresh strength “from the womb of the dawn” (Psalm 110:3). Biblical Setting – Psalm 110 Psalm 110, the most‐quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament, presents the enthronement of the promised Messiah. Verse 3 links three images: willing troops, holy adornment, and dew‐like vigor arising “from the womb of the dawn.” The dawn signals both the timing and the character of Messiah’s rule: it is irresistible, life-giving, and radiant. The language implies that the King’s people are ever fresh, eternally youthful, and freely devoted as daybreak itself. The Dawn Motif in Scripture 1. Creation Hope – Morning follows the primordial darkness (Genesis 1:5), establishing a pattern of God bringing order and light. Thus mishchar in Psalm 110 resonates with a sweeping biblical theme: God’s decisive acts occur with the breaking of day, when darkness is finally conquered. Messianic Significance The immediate context links mishchar with the King-Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4). Christ’s undefeatable vitality is compared to dew freshly born at sunrise, suggesting perpetual freshness (Hebrews 7:16). As dawn follows night without fail, so Messiah’s reign follows His suffering with certainty (Acts 2:30-36). Historical Worship Practices Israel’s morning offerings (Exodus 29:38-39) and the Psalmist’s morning praise (Psalm 5:3) habituated the community to meet God at daybreak. The Temple choir greeted sunrise with cymbals and psalms, reminding worshipers that covenant mercies are renewed every morning. Psalm 110 elevates this liturgical backdrop by declaring that in the ultimate Day of Power God’s people themselves will arise like dawn-born warriors. Practical Applications for Ministry • Devotion – Believers cultivate expectancy by seeking the Lord at dawn, aligning personal rhythms with the scriptural testimony that God moves powerfully in the morning (Mark 1:35). Theological Observations Mishchar underlines the unity of Scripture. The same God who commanded the first dawn sends the “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) and raises the true King whose volunteers appear with dew-fresh energy. The single, strategic placement of this noun heightens its effect: the coronation of the Messiah births a new dawn for creation, a moment both anticipated and irreversible. Forms and Transliterations מִשְׁחָ֑ר משחר miš·ḥār mišḥār mishCharLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 110:3 HEB: קֹ֭דֶשׁ מֵרֶ֣חֶם מִשְׁחָ֑ר לְ֝ךָ֗ טַ֣ל NAS: from the womb of the dawn, Your youth KJV: from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew INT: holy the womb of the dawn You the dew your youth 1 Occurrence |
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