Word Study for H4165 (מוּצָק)

mûwtsâq /moo-tsawk'/ Ask about this word

Meaningproperly, fusion, i.e. literally, a casting (of metal); figuratively, a mass (of clay)

KJV usagecasting, hardness.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mûwtsâq — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mûwtsâq, represented by H4165, denotes a fusion or solidification. Its meaning ranges from the literal casting of metal to the figurative hardness of a mass of clay. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, yet it illustrates two distinct contexts of formation and solidity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The word's two appearances showcase its dual meaning. In the context of the temple's construction, it refers to the standardized production of sacred items, where ten bases were made with "one casting" 1 Kings 7:37, ensuring their uniformity. In a completely different setting, God challenges Job by asking if he can command nature, specifically "when the dust groweth into hardness" Job 38:38, using the term to describe the earth itself becoming solid.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concepts of casting and hardening associated with H4165:

H3332 yâtsaq: This root verb means to pour out, melt or cast as metal, or to grow hard. It describes the very action that results in a casting or hardness, as seen when Elisha poured water on Elijah's hands 2 Kings 3:11 or when God asks Job about dust that groweth into hardness Job 38:38.
H4350 mᵉkôwnâh: This word for base or pedestal is the object being created in the temple narrative. The ten bases made of brass were all created from a single casting 1 Kings 7:37, highlighting the connection between the object and its method of creation.
H6083 ʻâphâr: Meaning dust, clay, earth, or mud, this is the substance that becomes hard in the book of Job. It is the raw material that God has power over, forming man from the dust of the ground Genesis 2:7 and causing it to solidify into a mass Job 38:38.

Theological Significance

Though rare, H4165 carries significant implications about divine power and precision:

Precision in Sacred Craftsmanship: The use of H4165 in 1 Kings 7:37 underscores the importance of uniformity and deliberate design in the items made for the temple. The fact that the ten bases had "one casting" points to a divine standard of order and replication.
Sovereign Power Over Creation: In Job 38:38, the word is used in a context where God is asserting His authority over the natural world. The ability to turn loose dust H6083 into a state of hardness is presented as an act only God can perform, demonstrating His creative and sustaining power.
The Act of Formation: In both instances, H4165 signifies a state that is the result of a formative process—either metal being poured into a mold or dust being fused together. It points to a transition from a fluid or loose state to a solid, defined form.

Summary

In summary, H4165 provides a specific and powerful illustration of formation. Whether describing a literal casting of metal for use in worship or the natural hardness of the earth under God's command, the word speaks to a process of solidification and deliberate shaping. It connects the world of human craftsmanship with the immense, creative power of God over the physical elements.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun and a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

מּוּצָק
מוּצָק
מֻצַק

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Kings and Job (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1 Kings

Job

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.