### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mashshâʼâh**, represented by `{{H4859}}`, signifies a **loan** or **debt**. It is a rare term, appearing only **2 times** in **2 unique verses** in the Bible. Defined as the feminine of מַשָּׁא, it can also idiomatically refer to "any-thing" that is loaned, highlighting its direct connection to financial transactions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two uses of `{{H4859}}` establish clear principles for financial dealings. In Proverbs, it serves as a warning against acting as sureties for **debts**, emphasizing financial prudence [[Proverbs 22:26]]. In Deuteronomy, the word is used to describe "any **thing**" that is loaned to a brother, and it appears in a command that protects the borrower's dignity by forbidding the lender from entering his house to retrieve a pledge [[Deuteronomy 24:10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help frame the context of lending and obligation:
* `{{H5383}}` **nâshâh**: A primitive root meaning "to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest." This verb describes the action that creates the **loan** `{{H4859}}` mentioned in [[Deuteronomy 24:10]].
* `{{H5667}}` **ʻăbôwṭ**: This word for a "pawn; pledge" is the collateral taken for a loan. It is used in tandem with `{{H4859}}` to regulate the process of securing a debt [[Deuteronomy 24:10]].
* `{{H6148}}` **ʻârab**: Meaning "to give to be security," this term describes the act of becoming a surety for a debt, a practice advised against in [[Proverbs 22:26]].
* `{{H8628}}` **tâqaʻ**: This root refers to a clasping of hands and is used idiomatically "to become bondsman by handclasping," signifying the formal agreement to guarantee the **debts** `{{H4859}}` of another [[Proverbs 22:26]].
### Theological Significance
The practical and ethical significance of `{{H4859}}` is evident in its scriptural contexts. It underscores key principles of biblical wisdom regarding financial integrity.
* **Caution in Suretyship:** The use in Proverbs warns against the dangers of co-signing for another's **debt**. This is presented as a matter of wisdom, avoiding financial entanglements that result from striking hands `{{H8628}}` and becoming surety `{{H6148}}` [[Proverbs 22:26]].
* **Compassion for the Borrower:** The regulations in Deuteronomy demonstrate a concern for the poor. When a **loan** `{{H4859}}` is made, the lender must respect the borrower's personal space and dignity, highlighting a law tempered with mercy [[Deuteronomy 24:10]].
* **Regulated Financial Exchange:** Together, the occurrences show that while lending and borrowing were normal parts of life, they were not to be conducted exploitatively. The law provided protections and wisdom literature offered guidance for these transactions.
### Summary
In summary, **mashshâʼâh** `{{H4859}}` is a focused term for a **loan** or **debt** whose limited use provides significant insight. It functions within a framework of related terms for pledging, lending, and securing debt. The contexts of its use in scripture reveal a divine concern for both financial wisdom and compassionate conduct, establishing ethical boundaries for everyday economic interactions.
TRV