Lexical Summary mesheq: Possession, acquisition Original Word: מֶשֶׁק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance steward From an unused root meaning to hold; possession -- + steward. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition acquisition, possession NASB Translation heir* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶ֫שֶׁק noun [masculine] acquisition, possession (?; meaning conjectured from context, from analogy of מִמְשָׁק q. v., and of משׁך), only וּבֶןמֶֿשֶׁק בֵּיתִי הוּא דַּמֶּשֶׂק אֱלִיעֶזֶר Genesis 15:2 (compare בן 8 (λ), above; Ges§ 128. 2, R. 2. c) and the son of acquisition (= he who is to acquire, the heir of) my house is, etc.; ׳מ possibly changed from משׁך (compare Job 28:18) for word-play with דמשׂק, Kau and SoGn. Anm. 62, or by copyist's error, but very dubious. ᵐ5 Μασεκ (proper name, compare LagBN 78). Topical Lexicon Context and Narrative Setting Genesis 15 records a pivotal moment in which the Lord reiterates His covenant with Abram. In verse 2 Abram voices a concern: “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my household is Eliezer of Damascus?” (Genesis 15:2). The expression “heir of my household” contains מֶשֶׁק, indicating the person in legal control of Abram’s property. Abram fears that if no offspring is born, his accumulated possessions—and therefore the covenant promise of blessing and land—will pass to a servant rather than to a son. Patriarchal Inheritance Practices 1. Household Structure 2. Legal Heirship Contrast Between Human Possession and Divine Promise Abram’s “possession” (מֶשֶׁק) appears substantial, yet he recognizes its inadequacy without a God-given heir. The dialogue underscores a prevailing biblical theme: earthly assets alone cannot secure covenant blessings (Psalm 49:6–8). The Lord immediately answers, “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir” (Genesis 15:4). Thus, מֶשֶׁק becomes a literary foil highlighting the superiority of divine provision over human arrangements. Foreshadowing of Redemptive Patterns • Promise and Fulfillment – The tension between present possessions and promised progeny finds resolution in Isaac’s birth (Genesis 21:1–3). Ministry and Discipleship Implications 1. Stewardship over Ownership – Like Abram, believers oversee what ultimately belongs to the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:2). Possessions serve the covenant, not the reverse. – Ministry often unfolds between promise and fulfillment. Abram’s honest lament invites present-day servants of God to articulate needs while resting in divine timing (Hebrews 6:12). – Churches and families should prioritize spiritual offspring—disciples—over mere accumulation of resources (Matthew 28:19–20). – The Lord’s corrective word to Abram encourages leaders who fear their labor will outlive their personal capacity. God secures the future of His mission. Summary Though מֶשֶׁק appears only once, it captures the tension between material wealth and covenantal destiny. Its usage in Genesis 15:2 deepens our understanding of patriarchal inheritance customs, highlights the necessity of divine intervention for promise fulfillment, and furnishes enduring lessons on stewardship, faith, and the assured legacy found in God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations מֶ֣שֶׁק משק me·šeq mešeq MeshekLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 15:2 HEB: עֲרִירִ֑י וּבֶן־ מֶ֣שֶׁק בֵּיתִ֔י ה֖וּא INT: childless afflicted steward of my house this |
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