English · KJV
H4859

מַשָּׁאָה

mashshâʼâh /mash-shaw-aw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfeminine of מַשָּׁא
Meaninga loan
KJV usagedebt.
Idioms & phrasesidiom any(-thing)

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mashshâʼâh — 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 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.

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 across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • מַשָּׁאוֹת
  • מַשַּׁאת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5383 נָשָׁה a primitive root (rather identical with נָשָׁה, in the sense of נָשָׁא); to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security H5667 עֲבוֹט or עֲבֹט; from עָבַט; a pawn; pledge. H6148 עָרַב a primitive root; to braid, i.e. intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a H8628 תָּקַע a primitive root; to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or ten

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 Deuteronomy and Proverbs (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Deuteronomy
1
Proverbs

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.