Lexical Summary mishpethayim: Mishpethayim Original Word: מִשְׁפָת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burden, sheepfold From shaphah; a stall for cattle (only dual) -- burden, sheepfold. see HEBREW shaphah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originperhaps from the same as shaphath Definition perhaps fireplaces, ash heaps NASB Translation sheepfolds (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. שְׁפַתָּ֑יִם noun [masculine] dual: probably = מִשְׁמְּתַיִם, below, q. v.; — ׳בֵּין שׁ Psalm 68:14 (based on Judges 5:16 ?). מִשְׁמְּתַ֫יִם noun [masculine] dual probably fire-places or ash-heaps (namely, of the villages or encampments of the tribe) (> Ki Thes and most sheepfolds, see StuJu); — בֵּין הַמִּשְׁמְּתַ֫יִם Judges 5:16 (poem; compare GFM); so (תָּ֑יִם-) Genesis 49:14 (poem in J). שׁפח (√ of following; compare Sabean ספח pour, also noun מספחת efusion (?) DHMVOJ ii (1888). 189 HomChr 124; Arabic Topical Lexicon Literal image and near-eastern background מִשְׁפָת (mishpāt) evokes the dual “packs” or “sheepfolds” carried beside or sheltering a beast of burden. In the patriarchal and judges’ eras, donkey caravans and small livestock compounds were indispensable to travel, commerce, and subsistence. The term therefore calls up a scene of settled ease: an animal or herdsman resting between the very loads or enclosures that define his vocation. Textual occurrences 1. Genesis 49:14 – “Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between the saddle-bags.” These two passages stand centuries apart, yet both employ the same pastoral picture to expose a moral posture. Issachar: restful strength in tension with servitude Jacob’s blessing portrays Issachar as “a strong donkey” (Genesis 49:14-15), robust yet content to recline beneath his packs. The tribe would inherit fertile valleys, enjoy agricultural prosperity, and willingly “bend his shoulder to bear a load.” The image teaches that material plenty and physical vigor can drift into servility when comfort outruns conviction. The New Testament echoes the danger: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Reuben: hesitation in a moment of crisis Deborah’s song contrasts decisive tribes with Reuben’s irresolution. While others rally to battle, Reuben lingers “among the sheepfolds” (Judges 5:16), listening to the soothing “whistling for the flocks.” The verse raises the same question posed later by James: “Whoever knows the right thing to do yet fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17). Reuben’s introspection ends in inaction; the sheepfold becomes a refuge from costly obedience. Shared themes • Complacency in privilege – Both tribes possess resources (strength, flocks) yet risk wasting them. Historical and theological significance Agrarian Israel understood that sheepfolds and saddlebags were means, not ends. The Scriptures harness that everyday reality to spotlight spiritual lethargy. By placing the word in prophetic poetry (Genesis 49) and war hymn (Judges 5), the Spirit weaves a unified warning across eras: God’s blessings must not breed passivity. Christological trajectory The humble beast of burden foreshadows the Messiah who enters Jerusalem “mounted on a donkey” (Matthew 21:5), willingly carrying the far greater load of humanity’s sin. Where Issachar and Reuben falter under lesser weights, Christ fulfills the promise, declaring, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Ministry applications 1. Examine comfort zones – Is the church settled “between the saddle-bags,” enjoying past achievements while neighboring tribes wage spiritual battle? Conclusion מִשְׁפָת stands as a small yet potent reminder that God’s people are stewards, not settlers. Every sheepfold is temporary, every saddle-bag a trust, until the Good Shepherd gathers His flock and the burden of the faithful becomes everlasting rest (Hebrews 4:9-11). Forms and Transliterations הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתָֽיִם׃ המשפתים המשפתים׃ ham·miš·pə·ṯa·yim ham·miš·pə·ṯā·yim HammishpeTayim hammišpəṯayim hammišpəṯāyimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 49:14 HEB: רֹבֵ֖ץ בֵּ֥ין הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתָֽיִם׃ NAS: Lying down between the sheepfolds. KJV: ass couching down between two burdens: INT: Lying between the sheepfolds Judges 5:16 2 Occurrences |
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pour out water, shed blood; note (with reference to etymology of following words) phrase
commit fornication with her (Lane), i.e. effudit cum ea (that is semen) Fl in DeJes 3, 78 Anm.; on Phoenician שפח servant (?) compare HoffmPhoenician Inscr. 18 Lzb381).