Lexical Summary masreth: Service, Ministry Original Word: מַשְׂרֵת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pan Apparently from an unused root meaning to perforate, i.e. Hollow out; a pan -- pan. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition probably pan, dish NASB Translation pan (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַשְׂרֵת noun masculine apparently = pan, dish, Palestinian Aramaic מסרית, only ׳וַתִּקּח הַמּ 2 Samuel 13:9 and she took the pan; perhaps = מַשְׂאֶרֶת ֗֗֗ , originally dough-pan (שׂאר), kneading-trough, GeiUrschr.382f We (not Dr); > Klo Bu Ry in DiExodus 12:34 (3te Aufl.) (אֶתֿ) וִתִּקְרָא הַמְּשָׁרֵת and she called the servant (HPS del. v.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence The noun appears once, in 2 Samuel 13:9: “She took the pan and poured them out before him, but Amnon refused to eat. ‘Send everyone out of here,’ said Amnon. And every man left him.” (Berean Standard Bible). The single use, set within the tragic narrative of Amnon and Tamar, places the utensil in a royal household’s kitchen, highlighting ordinary domestic life against the backdrop of looming moral failure. Historical Context Iron and bronze cookware became common in Israel by the United Monarchy (Tenth Century B.C.). Such shallow pans were used for griddle-cakes (Genesis 18:6; 1 Kings 17:12-13) and for presenting food to guests as an act of hospitality. In palatial kitchens like David’s, skilled women prepared delicacies for princely tables, echoing Near-Eastern court customs where food service expressed both honor and hierarchy. Domestic and Cultic Usage While the term itself is not employed in cultic law, flat pans and fire-pans feature in Tabernacle and Temple service (Exodus 27:3; Numbers 16:6-7). The everyday pan in Tamar’s hands therefore resonates with sacred parallels: vessels set apart for offering bread or incense. Scripture blurs the line between household and sanctuary, teaching that all of life—including food preparation—can serve worship. Theological Significance 1. Hospitality and Covenant: Bread shared from a pan evokes the patriarchal pattern of covenant fellowship (Genesis 18:1-8). The king’s daughter offers cakes, yet the covenant ideal is violated by Amnon’s sin, underscoring the gravity of betraying table fellowship. Intertextual Connections • Proverbs 7:14-23 contrasts adulterous enticement with a sacrificial meal, paralleling Tamar’s innocent service against Amnon’s predatory intent. Christological Resonance Where Amnon abuses hospitality, Jesus fulfills it perfectly. He feeds multitudes (Matthew 14:19), dines with sinners (Luke 5:29-32), and offers Himself as living bread (John 6:35). The abused pan points forward to the Lord’s Table, where betrayal (Matthew 26:23) is overcome by atoning grace. Ministry Application • Guard the heart in private spheres; hidden sin often begins in seemingly harmless settings. Lessons for Contemporary Believers The lone mention of this pan reminds readers that Scripture wastes no detail. Kitchens, utensils, and daily routines fall under God’s sovereignty. Faithfulness or failure in such settings influences families, churches, and nations. By surrendering ordinary tools to righteous purposes, believers honor the Lord who “fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:23). Forms and Transliterations הַמַּשְׂרֵת֙ המשרת ham·maś·rêṯ hammasRet hammaśrêṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 13:9 HEB: וַתִּקַּ֤ח אֶת־ הַמַּשְׂרֵת֙ וַתִּצֹ֣ק לְפָנָ֔יו NAS: She took the pan and dished KJV: And she took a pan, and poured [them] out INT: took the pan and dished before 1 Occurrence |
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