lemma מְשׁוּגָּה extra dagesh, corrected to מְשׁוּגָה; from an unused root meaning to stray; mistake; error.
Transliteration:mᵉshûwgâh
Pronunciation:mesh-oo-gaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term mᵉshûwgâh (`{{H4879}}`) is derived from an unused root that conveys the sense of "to stray" or "to wander off course." This etymological foundation is crucial for understanding its core meaning, which is consistently rendered as "mistake" or "error." Unlike more deliberate acts of rebellion or transgression, mᵉshûwgâh points to a deviation from the correct path, often implying an unintentional or unwitting misstep. It signifies a fault that arises from a lack of proper direction, a misjudgment, or a lapse in understanding, rather than a willful defiance of divine or human law. The nuance suggests a personal failing or a miscalculation that affects the individual primarily.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word mᵉshûwgâh (`{{H4879}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Job:
* **[[Job 19:4]]**: "And if indeed I have erred, my error remains with myself." (וְאַף אָמְנָם שָׁגִיתִי מְשׁוּגָתִי אִתִּי תָּלִין)
In this poignant declaration, Job responds to the accusations of his friends, who insist that his suffering is a direct consequence of his sin. Job, maintaining his integrity, challenges their premise. The phrase "if indeed I have erred" uses the verb shāgâh (`{{H7686}}`), from the same root as mᵉshûwgâh, emphasizing the possibility of an unintentional mistake. The subsequent use of mᵉshûwgâh ("my error") reinforces this notion. Job's assertion, "my error remains with myself," highlights the personal and internal nature of such a fault. He claims that if a mistake has been made, it is his own burden to bear, and it does not justify the harsh, public condemnation and suffering he endures. This singular occurrence underscores mᵉshûwgâh as a personal, perhaps unwitting, deviation, distinct from the grave transgressions his friends impute to him. It speaks to the private anguish of one who perceives himself to be unjustly afflicted, even if he acknowledges the possibility of human fallibility.
### Related Words & Concepts
To fully grasp the nuance of mᵉshûwgâh (`{{H4879}}`), it is helpful to consider its relationship with other Hebrew terms for sin and error:
* **shāgâh (`{{H7686}}`)**: This verb, meaning "to go astray," "to err," or "to commit an error," is the verbal root from which mᵉshûwgâh is derived. It frequently denotes unintentional sin or error, particularly in cultic contexts where atonement is provided for such missteps (e.g., [[Leviticus 4:2]], [[Numbers 15:28]]). The close etymological link between mᵉshûwgâh and shāgâh reinforces the idea of an error resulting from wandering off course rather than deliberate rebellion.
* **shᵉgāgâh (`{{H7684}}`)**: Also derived from the same root as mᵉshûwgâh and shāgâh, this noun specifically refers to "unintentional sin" or "error committed by mistake." It is commonly used in the Mosaic Law to distinguish between sins committed "unwittingly" or "in ignorance" and those committed "with a high hand" or "defiantly" (e.g., [[Numbers 15:27-31]]). While mᵉshûwgâh is a more general term for "mistake," shᵉgāgâh often carries a more specific legal or cultic connotation of an unintentional transgression requiring purification.
* **ḥāṭāʾ (`{{H2398}}`)**: This is the most common Hebrew word for "sin," meaning "to miss the mark." While it can encompass unintentional acts, it is broad enough to include deliberate transgressions. mᵉshûwgâh is a more specific type of ḥāṭāʾ, focusing on the aspect of straying or misjudgment.
* **pêshaʿ (`{{H6588}}`)**: Signifying "transgression" or "rebellion," this term denotes a more deliberate and active breaking of a covenant or law, often implying a revolt against authority. This stands in stark contrast to the unintentional nature of mᵉshûwgâh.
* **ʿāwōn (`{{H5771}}`)**: This word refers to "iniquity" or "guilt," often emphasizing the crookedness or perversity of an act and its resulting consequences. While ʿāwōn focuses on the internal distortion or the burden of guilt, mᵉshûwgâh describes the act of deviation itself.
The distinctiveness of mᵉshûwgâh lies in its emphasis on an error that is a personal deviation, perhaps unwitting, stemming from a lack of proper direction, rather than a defiant act of rebellion or a deep moral corruption.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of mᵉshûwgâh (`{{H4879}}`) in [[Job 19:4]] offers significant theological insight into the nature of human fallibility and divine justice.
Firstly, Job's use of the term underscores the human capacity for error, even for those who strive for righteousness. It acknowledges that mistakes, misjudgments, or unwitting deviations can occur, even if one's overall conduct is blameless in the eyes of God. This resonates with the broader biblical understanding that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (cf. [[Romans 3:23]]), even if the specific nature of the error varies.
Secondly, the context in Job highlights the distinction between unintentional error and deliberate transgression. Job's friends accuse him of heinous sins, implying a deliberate rebellion against God. By speaking of "my error" (mᵉshûwgâh), Job subtly counters their accusations, suggesting that if he has erred, it is a personal, perhaps unwitting, misstep, not a defiant act deserving of such profound suffering. This distinction is crucial in biblical theology, particularly in the Mosaic Law, which often prescribed different remedies for unintentional sins (shᵉgāgâh, `{{H7684}}`) versus high-handed transgressions. While mᵉshûwgâh is not a legal term, it captures the essence of an error that may not be morally culpable in the same way as willful sin.
Thirdly, Job's statement, "my error remains with myself," speaks to the personal burden of such a mistake. It suggests that while God is just and knows the heart, human judgment can be harsh and misinformed. Job is willing to bear the consequences of any *actual* error he might have committed, but he rejects the false accusations and the implication that his suffering is a direct, proportional punishment for a specific, identified sin. This perspective offers a nuanced view of suffering, suggesting that not all affliction is a direct consequence of deliberate sin, but can sometimes be part of a larger divine purpose or simply the reality of living in a fallen world.
In essence, mᵉshûwgâh points to the reality of human imperfection and the possibility of unintentional missteps, inviting a compassionate understanding of error rather than immediate condemnation, especially when contrasted with the gravity of deliberate rebellion against God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word mᵉshûwgâh (`{{H4879}}`) denotes a "mistake" or "error," stemming from an unused root meaning "to stray" or "to wander off course." This etymological background highlights its core meaning as an unintentional deviation or misjudgment rather than a deliberate act of rebellion. Its sole occurrence in [[Job 19:4]] provides a crucial context, where Job uses it to acknowledge the possibility of a personal, unwitting error, while simultaneously refuting the accusations of his friends that his suffering is due to egregious sin. The term distinguishes itself from more severe forms of transgression like pêshaʿ (`{{H6588}}`) or ʿāwōn (`{{H5771}}`), aligning more closely with shāgâh (`{{H7686}}`) and shᵉgāgâh (`{{H7684}}`), which refer to unintentional sins. Theologically, mᵉshûwgâh underscores human fallibility and the nuanced biblical understanding of error, suggesting that not all missteps carry the same moral culpability as willful sin, and that the burden of such personal errors remains with the individual, not always warranting public condemnation or severe divine judgment.
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