Lexical Summary mish'en: Support, staff, stay Original Word: מִשְׁעֵן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stay Or mishtan {mish-awn'}; from sha'an; a support (concretely), i.e. (figuratively) a protector or sustenance -- stay. see HEBREW sha'an Brown-Driver-Briggs מִשְׁעָן noun [masculine] support, staff; — absolute ׳מ, figurative of ׳י, 2 Samuel 22:19 = Psalm 18:19; construct כֹּל מִשְׁעַןלֶֿחֶם וְכֹל מִשְׁעַןמָֿ֑יִם Isaiah 3:1 (gloss, see Commentaries). מַשְׁעֵן noun masculine id.; — absolute וּמַשְׁעֵנָה ׳מ Isaiah 3:1 figurative support and staff. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery מִשְׁעֵן (mishʽen) evokes the picture of a prop, staff, or crutch—anything a person leans on when strength is insufficient. In Scripture the term therefore functions metaphorically for every kind of “support,” whether physical, relational, or spiritual. Occurrences and Literary Setting 1. 2 Samuel 22:19 and Psalm 18:18 situate the word in David’s song of deliverance. Surrounded by enemies, the king testifies, “the LORD was my support.” Divine Support in Personal Experience David’s use of mishʽen underscores two truths. First, help is not an impersonal force but the covenant LORD Himself. When human props are knocked away, He remains immovable. Second, the verse highlights the timing of divine aid: “in my day of calamity.” The term therefore reassures believers that crisis is the very occasion for fresh displays of God’s sufficiency. Withdrawn Supports as Covenant Discipline Isaiah’s oracle reverses the Davidic experience. Because Judah trusted in earthly structures rather than the Holy One of Israel, the Lord announces the removal of every societal prop—bread, water, military leadership, civic order. The triple repetition of mishʽen intensifies the warning: nothing will be left to lean on but God Himself. The passage illustrates the theological principle that what the Lord graciously provides He may also withdraw when a people persist in unbelief. Messianic Echoes David’s confession that “the LORD was my support” anticipates the greater Son of David. During His earthly ministry Jesus leaned entirely upon the Father (John 5:19). On the cross every human prop was stripped away, yet the ultimate Support sustained Him unto resurrection, validating the hope expressed in the psalm. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Personal Encouragement: Believers facing adversity can pray the words of 2 Samuel 22:19, reminding themselves that the Lord remains a present support when all others fail. Intertextual Resonance Although mishʽen itself is rare, its imagery connects with “rod” and “staff” in Psalm 23:4 and with the exhortation in Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Together the verses weave a canonical promise: God’s people are never without a steadfast prop. Summary מִשְׁעֵן functions as a vivid emblem of what people lean upon. In David’s life it magnifies covenant faithfulness; in Isaiah it exposes misplaced trust. Across both contexts the term directs readers to the Lord as the only unshakable support, urging continual reliance on His sustaining grace. Forms and Transliterations לְמִשְׁעָ֣ן למשען מִשְׁעַן־ מִשְׁעָ֖ן מַשְׁעֵ֖ן משען משען־ lə·miš·‘ān ləmiš‘ān lemishAn maš‘ên maš·‘ên mashEn miš‘ān miš‘an- miš·‘ān miš·‘an- mishAnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 22:19 HEB: וַיְהִ֧י יְהוָ֛ה מִשְׁעָ֖ן לִֽי׃ NAS: But the LORD was my support. KJV: but the LORD was my stay. INT: become the LORD was my support Psalm 18:18 Isaiah 3:1 Isaiah 3:1 Isaiah 3:1 5 Occurrences |
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