The Hebrew word mâshôwṭ, represented by H4880, is the specific term for an oar. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses, both found within a single prophetic oracle in the book of Ezekiel. This rare term refers directly to the instrument used to propel a ship by rowing, placing it squarely within the domain of ancient maritime life and commerce.
In the biblical narrative, H4880 is used exclusively in the detailed prophecy against the city of Tyre. First, it appears in a list of the magnificent materials used to construct Tyre's figurative ship of state, emphasizing its wealth and power: "Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars" Ezekiel 27:6. Later in the same chapter, the word is used to describe the city's utter collapse, where "all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships" in mourning and despair Ezekiel 27:29.
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the maritime context surrounding the oar:
- H437 ʼallôwn (an oak or other strong tree): This word identifies the specific, high-quality material used to craft the oars for Tyre's ship, signifying strength and superior craftsmanship Ezekiel 27:6.
- H8610 tâphas (to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield): This verb is used to describe the sailors who "handle the oar," linking the object to the human action required to operate it Ezekiel 27:29.
- H4419 mallâch (a sailor... mariner): This term identifies the "mariners" who work alongside those who handle the oar, defining the professional crew whose livelihood is tied to the ship Ezekiel 27:29.
- H6213 ʻâsâh (to do or make): This common verb is used to state that the oars were "made" from the oaks of Bashan, indicating their creation and construction Ezekiel 27:6.
The symbolic weight of H4880 is derived entirely from its context in Ezekiel 27.
- Symbol of Commercial Power: The oars, crafted from the strong oaks of Bashan, contribute to the image of Tyre as an unrivaled maritime power, a vessel of immense wealth and pride built from the finest materials.
- Instrument of Human Effort: An oar is powered by human strength. Its mention highlights the human industry and labor that propelled Tyre to its heights of glory.
- Emblem of Desolation: The scene of those who "handle the oar" abandoning their ships is a powerful image of collapse. The very instruments of Tyre's success are forsaken, signifying the complete cessation of its trade and the futility of its power in the face of judgment.
In summary, H4880 is a highly specific term whose significance is concentrated in a single, powerful biblical passage. As an oar, it functions both literally as a piece of maritime equipment and symbolically as a representation of Tyre's commercial strength. Its use first to build up the image of the city's glory and then to depict its utter abandonment makes it a key detail in the prophetic lament over Tyre's fall.
TRV