Lexical Summary meshek: Possession, acquisition Original Word: מֶשֶׁךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance precious, price From mashak; a sowing; also a possession -- precious, price. see HEBREW mashak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mashak Definition a drawing, drawing up, a trail NASB Translation acquisition (1), bag (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [מֶ֫שֶׁךְ] noun [masculine] a drawing, drawing up, a trail; — 1 construct מֶשֶׁךְ חָכְמָה מִמְּנִינִים Job 28:18 the drawing up (fishing up, i.e. securing after effort) of wisdom is beyond corals. 2 construct a trail (of seed), הַזָּ֑רַע ׳מֶ Psalm 126:6 bearing the trail of seed; compare מָשַׁךְ 6 Topical Lexicon Entry: מֶשֶׁךְ (Strong’s Hebrew 4901) Scriptural Occurrences 1. Job 28:18 – “...the price of wisdom is above rubies.” Literary Sense and Contextual Texture In Job 28:18 מֶשֶׁךְ expresses the incomparable “price” or “worth” of wisdom. The term points to an ultimate valuation that transcends tangible wealth, underscoring the theme that true understanding comes only from God (Job 28:23-28). In Psalm 126:6 the same word surfaces in an agrarian setting, denoting the “sheaves” gathered at harvest. The psalm celebrates the Lord’s restoration of Zion; thus מֶשֶׁךְ evokes the hard-won, joy-filled result of faithful sowing after sorrow. Though used in two distinct genres—wisdom poetry and a song of ascent—the word consistently points to outcome: the profit of wisdom, the produce of labor. Each passage juxtaposes present cost (searching for wisdom, sowing in tears) with future reward (priceless insight, abundant sheaves). Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern societies measured wealth chiefly in tangible commodities—precious stones, grain harvests, livestock. Job 28 catalogues luxury items familiar to an affluent patriarchal setting, climaxing with the assertion that none of them can purchase wisdom. Psalm 126 reflects post-exilic Jerusalem, where agriculture symbolized national stability. Harvest imagery resonated deeply with an audience recently restored from captivity; the gathering of מֶשֶׁךְ signified not only agricultural success but covenant faithfulness fulfilled (Leviticus 26:3-5). Theological Significance 1. Supreme Value of Divine Wisdom – By labeling wisdom’s worth with מֶשֶׁךְ, Scripture teaches that God’s revelation cannot be priced (Proverbs 3:13-15; Matthew 13:44-46). Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Discipleship: Encourage believers to seek wisdom at any cost, assured that its yield surpasses all earthly gain. Summary מֶשֶׁךְ unites the themes of ultimate worth and fruitful reward. Whether describing the inestimable value of wisdom or the tangible bounty of harvested grain, it directs attention to the God who both grants insight and guarantees a joyful harvest to those who trust and obey Him. Forms and Transliterations וּמֶ֥שֶׁךְ ומשך מֶֽשֶׁךְ־ משך־ me·šeḵ- mešeḵ- meshech ū·me·šeḵ ūmešeḵ uMeshechLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 28:18 HEB: לֹ֣א יִזָּכֵ֑ר וּמֶ֥שֶׁךְ חָ֝כְמָ֗ה מִפְּנִינִֽים׃ NAS: are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom KJV: or of pearls: for the price of wisdom INT: are not to be mentioned and the acquisition of wisdom pearls Psalm 126:6 2 Occurrences |
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