denominative from קִשֻּׁא; literally a cucumbered field, i.e. a cucumber patch; garden of cucumbers.
Transliteration:miqshâh
Pronunciation:mik-shaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh, `{{H4750}}`) is a denominative noun derived from קִשֻּׁא (qishshu', "cucumber"). Its core meaning is quite specific and literal: a "cucumbered field," a "cucumber patch," or a "garden of cucumbers." It designates an agricultural plot dedicated to the cultivation of cucumbers. The term's semantic range is narrow, referring exclusively to this particular type of cultivated land. It does not carry inherent metaphorical or abstract meanings beyond its botanical and agricultural designation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the prophetic book of Isaiah:
* **[[Isaiah 1:8]]**: "And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city."
In this solitary occurrence, מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh) is employed within a powerful simile to depict the utter desolation and vulnerability of Jerusalem, personified as "the daughter of Zion." The phrase "a lodge in a garden of cucumbers" refers to a temporary, flimsy shelter or watchman's hut (סֻכָּה, sukkah, `{{H5521}}`) erected in a field during the growing season to protect the ripening crop from predators or thieves. Once the harvest is complete, these structures are typically abandoned and left to decay, offering no shelter or security. By comparing Jerusalem to such a lodge in a harvested מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh), Isaiah vividly portrays a city stripped of its former glory, defenses, and inhabitants, standing exposed, desolate, and utterly vulnerable. The context is one of divine judgment against Judah for its rebellion, depicting the once-flourishing capital as reduced to a precarious, temporary dwelling, emblematic of neglect and ruin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct related word is קִשֻּׁא (qishshu'), the noun for "cucumber," which forms the root of מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh). This connection highlights the agricultural foundation of the term. Other related concepts include:
* **Agricultural Imagery**: The Bible frequently uses agrarian metaphors to convey spiritual truths, divine judgment, and the state of God's people. The "garden of cucumbers" falls within this broader category of imagery, alongside vineyards, olive groves, and fields of grain, often used to illustrate fruitfulness, barrenness, or the consequences of disobedience.
* **Temporary Dwellings**: The "lodge" or "booth" (סֻכָּה, sukkah, `{{H5521}}`) associated with the מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh) in [[Isaiah 1:8]] connects to the broader biblical concept of temporary shelters. While סֻכָּה can represent God's dwelling or protection (as in the Feast of Tabernacles), in this context, it signifies abandonment and lack of security.
* **Desolation and Abandonment**: The imagery in [[Isaiah 1:8]] combines the מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh) with "booth in a vineyard" and "besieged city" to paint a comprehensive picture of utter devastation. This aligns with prophetic themes of judgment where flourishing lands become desolate and secure cities are rendered vulnerable, signifying the withdrawal of divine blessing and protection.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence and literal meaning, מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh) carries profound theological significance within the prophetic context of [[Isaiah 1:8]].
* **Divine Judgment and Consequence of Sin**: The primary theological import of the "lodge in a garden of cucumbers" simile is its vivid portrayal of God's judgment upon Judah for its spiritual rebellion and unfaithfulness. It illustrates the desolate state that results when a people forsakes their covenant with Yahweh. The exposed and abandoned hut symbolizes the removal of divine protection, leaving Jerusalem vulnerable to its enemies and stripped of its former glory. This underscores the principle that disobedience leads to severe consequences, revealing God's justice.
* **The Fragility of Human Security**: The temporary and unprotected nature of the מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh) lodge highlights the futility of relying on human strength, fortifications, or perceived prosperity apart from God's favor. Jerusalem, despite its status as a chosen city, is shown to be utterly dependent on divine sustenance and protection. When that protection is withdrawn due to sin, all human endeavors for security become meaningless.
* **A Call to Repentance and Restoration**: The stark imagery, including the מִקְ Antonia (miqshâh) simile, serves as a powerful visual aid in Isaiah's prophetic message. It is part of a lament over Israel's spiritual condition and a fervent call for the people to return to the Lord. The desolation depicted is not merely punitive but serves as a catalyst for repentance, urging the people to recognize the severity of their sin and seek restoration through obedience and righteousness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh, `{{H4750}}`) literally means a "cucumber patch" or "garden of cucumbers," derived from the word for "cucumber." Its sole appearance in the biblical text in [[Isaiah 1:8]] is highly evocative. There, it is used in a powerful simile to describe the desolate state of the "daughter of Zion," likening her to "a lodge in a garden of cucumbers." This imagery conveys profound theological truths: it symbolizes the severe consequences of divine judgment due to Israel's rebellion, illustrating the city's abandonment, vulnerability, and the withdrawal of God's protective presence. The temporary and exposed nature of a מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh) lodge after harvest serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of human security apart from God and functions as a vivid call to repentance within the broader prophetic message of Isaiah.
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