from שָׁבַץ; a brocade; by analogy, a (reticulated) setting of agem; ouch, wrought.
Transliteration:mishbᵉtsâh
Pronunciation:mish-bets-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מִשְׁבְּצָה (mishbᵉtsâh, `{{H4865}}`) derives from the root שָׁבַץ (shavats, `{{H7660}}`), which carries the core meaning of "to interweave," "to plait," or "to checker." This foundational meaning imbues mishbᵉtsâh with the sense of intricate, patterned, and highly detailed work. Its primary semantic range encompasses:
1. **Brocade:** Referring to a rich fabric, often woven with raised patterns in silk or gold and silver thread. This meaning emphasizes the artistry and value inherent in finely crafted textiles.
2. **Setting for a Gem:** By analogy, it describes the intricate metalwork, typically gold, that frames and securely holds a precious stone. The term "reticulated" in its definition points to the net-like or interwoven pattern often found in such settings, directly echoing the root meaning of interweaving. This highlights the precision and craftsmanship required to display and protect valuable jewels.
The English translations "ouch" (an archaic term for a clasp or setting for a jewel) and "wrought" (shaped by working, especially elaborately) further capture the nuance of a carefully constructed, valuable object. Thus, mishbᵉtsâh consistently denotes an object of high quality, requiring skilled workmanship and possessing significant aesthetic or material value.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מִשְׁבְּצָה (mishbᵉtsâh, `{{H4865}}`) appears exclusively in the book of Exodus, always in the context of the construction of the high priestly garments for the tabernacle service. Its occurrences are limited to descriptions of the intricate gold settings for the precious stones on the ephod and the breastpiece.
* In [[Exodus 28:11]], the onyx stones for the ephod's shoulder pieces, engraved with the names of the sons of Israel, are to be set in "settings of gold" (מִשְׁבְּצֹת זָהָב). This plural usage (mishbᵉtsôt) indicates multiple such settings.
* [[Exodus 28:13]] specifies that "settings of gold" (מִשְׁבְּצֹת זָהָב) are to be made for the breastpiece.
* [[Exodus 28:25]] details how the gold chains for the breastpiece are to be fastened to the "two settings" (שְׁתֵּי הַמִּשְׁבְּצֹת) on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, emphasizing their structural and decorative role.
* These instructions are reiterated in the account of the garments' construction in Exodus 39:
* [[Exodus 39:6]] repeats the command for the onyx stones to be "set in settings of gold" (מִשְׁבְּצֹת זָהָב).
* [[Exodus 39:13]] describes the final row of stones on the breastpiece, also set in "settings of gold" (מִשְׁבְּצֹת זָהָב).
* [[Exodus 39:16]] again mentions the two gold chains attached to the "two settings" (שְׁתֵּי הַמִּשְׁבְּצֹת) of the breastpiece.
In every instance, mishbᵉtsâh refers to the elaborate gold frameworks designed to securely hold and display the sacred stones. The consistent context is that of divine command, meticulous craftsmanship, and the creation of holy objects for the worship of Yahweh.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of מִשְׁבְּצָה (mishbᵉtsâh, `{{H4865}}`) is enriched by its connections to several related words and theological concepts:
* **Root Verb שָׁבַץ (shavats, `{{H7660}}`):** The direct verbal root meaning "to interweave," "to checker," or "to plait." This highlights the intricate, patterned, and perhaps even latticework nature of the settings.
* **Craftsmanship and Skill:** The creation of mishbᵉtsâh required exceptional skill, often attributed to divine empowerment. Bezalel and Oholiab were "filled with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship" [[Exodus 31:3]], indicating that the ability to create such intricate items was a divine gift.
* **Precious Materials:** The consistent mention of "gold" (זָהָב) alongside mishbᵉtsâh, as well as "onyx stones" and the various "precious stones" for the breastpiece, underscores the immense value, beauty, and sacredness of the components.
* **Priestly Garments:** The mishbᵉtsâh is an integral part of the אֶפֹד (ephod, `{{H646}}`) and the חֹשֶׁן (choshen, `{{H2833}}`), the high priest's most significant vestments. This places the word within the broader context of the Aaronic priesthood, its functions, and its symbolic representation.
* **Engraving:** The stones held by the mishbᵉtsâh were "engraved like the engravings of a signet" with the names of the tribes [[Exodus 28:11]], further emphasizing the precision and permanence of the work.
### Theological Significance
The meticulous detail surrounding מִשְׁבְּצָה (mishbᵉtsâh, `{{H4865}}`) in the biblical text carries profound theological significance:
* **Divine Perfection and Order:** The very specific and repeated instructions for the mishbᵉtsâh settings reveal God's absolute demand for precision and excellence in all matters pertaining to His worship. Every component, no matter how small, was divinely ordained, reflecting God's own perfect nature and the order He establishes.
* **Glory and Beauty of Holiness:** The use of gold and precious stones, intricately set, signifies the glory and beauty of God, which was to be manifest in the tabernacle and its sacred service. The aesthetic perfection of these elements contributed to the overall holiness and reverence of the priestly office.
* **Representation and Mediation:** The mishbᵉtsâh settings held the stones bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on the high priest's shoulders (symbolizing strength and burden-bearing) and breast (symbolizing the heart and judgment). This visually and symbolically represented the high priest carrying the entire congregation before God's presence. The secure setting of the stones within the mishbᵉtsâh can be seen as a symbol of God's steadfast and secure remembrance of His people.
* **Holiness and Consecration:** The elaborate and costly nature of the mishbᵉtsâh and the garments it adorned served to set apart the high priest and his functions as holy and consecrated to the Lord, distinguishing them from the profane.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מִשְׁבְּצָה (mishbᵉtsâh, `{{H4865}}`), derived from the root שָׁבַץ (shavats, `{{H7660}}`) meaning "to interweave," denotes an intricate, high-quality piece of work, primarily serving as a "setting" for precious gems or as "brocade." Its biblical occurrences are exclusively found in Exodus, where it consistently refers to the meticulously crafted gold settings that secured the engraved onyx stones on the high priest's ephod and the twelve tribal stones on his breastpiece. These mishbᵉtsâh settings underscore God's demand for divine perfection and order in worship, contributing to the glory and beauty of the sacred garments. Theologically, they symbolize the high priest's role in representing the tribes of Israel before God, with the secure settings conveying God's steadfast remembrance and covenant faithfulness to His people.
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