Lexical Summary mishqa: Drink, beverage Original Word: מִשְׁקָע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deep From shaqa'; a settling place (of water), i.e. A pond -- deep. see HEBREW shaqa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shaqa Definition what is settled or clarified NASB Translation clear (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִשְׁקָע] noun [masculine] what is settled, clarified (compare √ Hiph`il); — construct מִשְׁקַעמַֿיִם תִּשְׁתּו Ezekiel 34:18 the clear (of) water ye drink (compare Ezekiel 32:14 above). [שְׁקַעֲרוּרָה] see פער. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery The noun מִשְׁקָע evokes the idea of what settles to the bottom—sediment, residue, or dregs that remain after the best portion has been taken. The image is drawn from both agriculture and water: grain husks trampled into the soil after grazing, or the muddying of a stream so that only fouled water is left for others. It is a term of degradation, portraying how the remainder is cheapened by careless exploitation. Biblical Occurrence Ezekiel 34:18 is the only occurrence: “Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough that you drink the clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?”. The prophet indicts Israel’s leaders—called “shepherds”—for consuming the choicest resources and leaving only polluted residue (מִשְׁקָע) for the flock. Historical Setting Ezekiel spoke from exile in Babylon during the sixth century BC. Judah’s monarchy and priesthood had collapsed, and the people suffered because those entrusted with leadership enriched themselves at communal expense. The prophet’s agricultural metaphor would resonate with an agrarian audience that knew the frustration of animals fouling precious water or crushing tender shoots. In that world, mismanagement of shared resources could mean famine or disease. Theological Implications 1. Stewardship and Accountability: Scripture consistently teaches that leaders must serve sacrificially (Numbers 27:17; John 10:11). The “mishqaʿ” motif intensifies the charge: it is not merely neglect but active corruption of what belongs to God’s flock. Christological Perspective Jesus Christ identifies Himself as “the good shepherd” (John 10:11), directly addressing the failure exposed in Ezekiel. Where corrupt shepherds leave only residue, Christ provides living water “springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14) and pasture in abundance (John 10:9). The single Old Testament use of מִשְׁקָע thus anticipates the Messiah who reverses the tragedy of polluted provision. Practical Application for Ministry • Leaders are called to leave people with clarity, not confusion; nourishment, not leftovers. Associated Themes Shepherd imagery (Psalm 23:1; 1 Peter 5:2–4), righteous leadership (Proverbs 29:2), and the call to care for the weak (Isaiah 40:11) all intersect with the warning embedded in מִשְׁקָע. Each passage reinforces God’s expectation that His people—especially those entrusted with responsibility—will avoid leaving spiritual or physical dregs for others. Forms and Transliterations וּמִשְׁקַע־ ומשקע־ ū·miš·qa‘- umishka ūmišqa‘-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 34:18 HEB: תִּרְמְס֖וּ בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם וּמִשְׁקַע־ מַ֣יִם תִּשְׁתּ֔וּ NAS: Or that you should drink of the clear waters, KJV: and to have drunk of the deep waters, INT: tread your feet of the clear waters assuredly 1 Occurrence |
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