Lexical Summary mispach: Scab, eruption, or sore Original Word: מִשְׂפָח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance oppression From caphach; slaughter -- oppression. see HEBREW caphach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as saphiach Definition probably outpouring, bloodshed NASB Translation bloodshed (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִשְׂמָּח noun [masculine] probably outpouring (of blood), bloodshed (שׂ substantive for ס; word chosen for assonance with מִשְׁמָּט); — absolute, וַיְקַו ׳לְמִשְׁמָּט וְחִנֵּה מ 1 Samuel 5:7 and he waited for justice and lo! bloodshed, so Ges Hi Ew Di Gu Du CheComm. CheHpt.(dubious). III. ספח (√ of following; meaning dubious). Topical Lexicon Overview מִשְׂפָח (Strong’s Hebrew 4939) appears only once, in Isaiah 5:7, where it describes the very opposite of the justice God expected from His covenant people. Colorfully juxtaposed with מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, “justice”), the term exposes how far Judah had drifted from the righteous standards of the LORD of Hosts. Its lone occurrence nonetheless captures a timeless biblical theme: when the people of God abandon righteousness, the inevitable result is violent wrongdoing that cries out for divine intervention. Biblical Context Isaiah’s “Song of the Vineyard” (Isaiah 5:1-7) is an inspired parable in which Israel is pictured as a carefully cultivated vineyard that yields bitter fruit. Verse 7 declares: “He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.” The prophet arranges two biting wordplays: • mishpat (“justice”) vs. mishpach (“bloodshed”) This rhetorical artistry underscores how the people produced the antithesis of what God desired. The term mishpach therefore carries the weight of profound covenant violation. Literary Device and Wordplay The near-homonym between mishpach and mishpat functions as an indictment and an ironic reversal. In Hebrew poetry, such assonance exposes hypocrisy: outward religiosity masked inward corruption (cf. Isaiah 1:11-17). The pun forces the listener to hear the corruption of justice in the very sound of the word itself. Historical Background Isaiah ministered in the eighth century B.C., during a time of economic affluence yet social decay in Judah. Land consolidation, bribery, and oppression of the poor (Isaiah 5:8, 23) typified the era. Bloodshed was not random violence; it was systemic exploitation—legal structures twisted to favor the powerful, culminating in innocent lives destroyed (compare Micah 3:10). Thus mishpach encapsulates both literal shedding of blood and figurative social injustice. Theological Implications 1. Holiness of God’s Covenant People – The vineyard metaphor recalls Exodus 19:6; Israel was to be “a kingdom of priests.” Mishpach signifies the defilement that disqualifies a people for priestly service (Leviticus 20:7-9). 2. Divine Expectation of Justice – Scripture consistently links righteousness with practical equity (Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Jeremiah 22:3). Bloodshed violates the image of God (Genesis 9:5-6) and provokes His judgment (Psalm 106:37-38). 3. Prophetic Warning and Hope – The exposure of mishpach paves the way for messianic hope: a future Branch who “will reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1). The failure of human justice highlights the need for the perfect King (Isaiah 11:1-5). Connections to the New Testament • Jesus’ Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-41) echoes Isaiah’s vineyard song, climaxing in the murder of the son—ultimate bloodshed. Homiletical and Pastoral Applications 1. Social Responsibility – Congregations must discern whether their institutions foster mishpat or, by neglect, enable mishpach. Advocacy for the vulnerable is not optional (James 1:27). 2. Personal Integrity – Even subtle forms of exploitation—dishonest business practices, prejudice, gossip that assassinates character—stand under the same prophetic rebuke. 3. Gospel Witness – Displaying Christ-like justice validates evangelistic proclamation (Matthew 5:16). Where believers embody mishpat, the world hears less “cry of distress” and more testimony to redeemed community. Conclusion Though מִשְׂפָח appears only once, its thematic reach spans the canon: from Abel’s blood crying from the ground to the heavenly praise of the Lamb who was slain. The term reminds every generation that God searches His vineyard for the fruit of justice, and that only the work of Christ can transform bloodshed into blessing. Forms and Transliterations מִשְׂפָּ֔ח משפח miś·pāḥ misPach miśpāḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 5:7 HEB: לְמִשְׁפָּט֙ וְהִנֵּ֣ה מִשְׂפָּ֔ח לִצְדָקָ֖ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה NAS: but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, KJV: for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, INT: justice behold bloodshed righteousness behold 1 Occurrence |
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