from שׂוּשׂ; delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling); joy, mirth, rejoice.
Transliteration:mâsôws
Pronunciation:maw-soce'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מָשׂוֹשׂ (mâsôws, `{{H4885}}`) is derived from the verbal root שׂוּשׂ (sûs, `{{H7797}}`), meaning "to rejoice" or "to be glad." This etymological connection immediately situates mâsôws within the semantic field of profound positive emotion. Its core meaning encompasses "delight," "joy," and "mirth."
Crucially, the word's semantic range extends beyond a mere abstract feeling. As the base definition indicates, mâsôws can refer to:
1. **The abstract feeling:** The internal experience of joy, gladness, or delight.
2. **The concrete cause or object:** That which *produces* joy, or that which *is* the source or embodiment of joy. For instance, a city or a people can be described as a "joy" or "delight" to others, signifying their inherent attractiveness or the happiness they bring.
This dual application allows mâsôws to express both the subjective state and the objective reality of joy within the biblical narrative. It denotes a deep, often effusive, sense of happiness and celebration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term mâsôws appears approximately 20 times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the prophetic books and Psalms, with significant occurrences in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Lamentations. Its usage consistently highlights the profound nature of the joy it describes, often in contexts of divine action, covenant relationship, or eschatological hope.
In many instances, mâsôws is associated with the presence of God, His salvation, or His covenant blessings. For example, the psalmist declares, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy [שִׂמְחָה, `{{H8057}}`]; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" [[Psalm 16:11]]. While not using mâsôws directly here, the parallel concept of joy in God's presence is pervasive. When mâsôws is used, it often points to a specific, tangible expression of this joy.
Prophetic literature frequently employs mâsôws to describe the future restoration and glory of Jerusalem or Zion. Isaiah proclaims, "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a joy [מָשׂוֹשׂ] and her people as a delight [גִּילָה, `{{H1523}}`]" [[Isaiah 65:17-18]]. Here, Jerusalem itself becomes the object and embodiment of joy, a testament to God's redemptive work. Similarly, in [[Isaiah 60:15]], Zion is promised to become "an everlasting joy [מָשׂוֹשׂ], a delight of all generations."
Conversely, the cessation or removal of mâsôws serves as a powerful indicator of divine judgment and desolation. Jeremiah laments the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, prophesying, "And I will banish from them the voice of mirth [שָׂשׂוֹן, `{{H7798}}`] and the voice of gladness [שִׂמְחָה, `{{H8057}}`], the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp" [[Jeremiah 25:10]]. A similar sentiment is echoed in [[Jeremiah 16:9]], where the "voice of mirth and the voice of gladness" are taken away. Lamentations poignantly states, "The joy [מָשׂוֹשׂ] of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning" [[Lamentations 5:15]]. These passages underscore that true, lasting joy is contingent upon God's favor and covenant faithfulness, and its absence signifies a profound spiritual and national crisis.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of mâsôws is enriched by its relationship to other Hebrew terms for joy and gladness, as well as contrasting concepts:
* **שׂוּשׂ (sûs, `{{H7797}}`):** The verbal root from which mâsôws is derived, meaning "to rejoice" or "to be glad." This is the foundational term, expressing the act of rejoicing.
* **שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ, `{{H8057}}`):** A very common and broad term for "joy" or "gladness," often used interchangeably with mâsôws or in parallel. While mâsôws can emphasize the *object* of joy, śimḥâ often denotes the *feeling* or *occasion* of joy (e.g., a feast).
* **גִּיל (gîl, `{{H1523}}`):** A verb meaning "to rejoice," "to shout for joy," or "to exult." It often carries a connotation of exuberant, even demonstrative, joy. The related noun גִּילָה (gîlâ, `{{H1524}}`) also means "rejoicing" or "exultation."
* **רִנָּה (rinnâh, `{{H7442}}`):** "Shouting for joy," "joyful sound," or "cry of joy." This term emphasizes the audible expression of joy.
* **שָׂשׂוֹן (śâśôn, `{{H7798}}`):** Another noun related to the root שׂוּשׂ, often translated as "joy" or "mirth." It frequently appears in parallel with śimḥâ, forming the common phrase "joy and gladness."
**Contrasting Concepts:**
The absence or reversal of mâsôws is often depicted through terms related to:
* **Mourning/Sorrow:** Such as אֵבֶל ('ēbel, `{{H57}}`) "mourning," or יָגוֹן (yāgôn, `{{H3015}}`) "sorrow, grief."
* **Lamentation:** As seen in the book of Lamentations, where the cessation of joy is a central theme.
The presence of mâsôws is intrinsically linked to themes of salvation, redemption, divine favor, and covenant faithfulness. Its absence signals judgment, desolation, and spiritual brokenness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of mâsôws is profound, revealing key aspects of God's character, His relationship with humanity, and His ultimate redemptive plan.
1. **God as the Source of True Joy:** Unlike fleeting worldly pleasures, the joy described by mâsôws is often depicted as originating from God. It is a divine gift, a byproduct of His presence, His acts of deliverance, and His promises. This underscores a theology where ultimate contentment and delight are found in a right relationship with the Creator.
2. **Eschatological Hope and Restoration:** A prominent theological theme associated with mâsôws is its connection to future, ultimate restoration. Prophetic visions, particularly in Isaiah, paint a picture of a renewed Jerusalem and a redeemed people who will be characterized by "everlasting joy." This points to a future where sorrow and mourning will cease, replaced by an enduring, divinely-ordained gladness. This eschatological joy is not merely an emotion but a state of being, a new reality established by God.
3. **Joy as a Sign of Blessing and Covenant:** The presence of mâsôws in a community or individual's life often signifies divine blessing and a flourishing covenant relationship. The sounds of joy—weddings, feasts, celebrations—are indicators of life, prosperity, and God's favor.
4. **Loss of Joy as a Consequence of Sin and Judgment:** Conversely, the removal of mâsôws serves as a powerful theological symbol of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience. When the "voice of mirth" is silenced, it indicates a broken covenant, a land under curse, and a people alienated from God's blessing. This emphasizes the gravity of sin and the devastating impact of turning away from God.
5. **Joy in God's Redemptive Acts:** The ultimate source of mâsôws is often God's redemptive activity. The joy of the returned exiles, the joy of a city rebuilt, or the joy of a people delivered from oppression are all rooted in God's faithfulness to His promises and His power to save.
### Summary
מָשׂוֹשׂ (mâsôws, `{{H4885}}`) is a rich Hebrew term signifying "delight," "joy," and "mirth." Derived from the verb "to rejoice" (שׂוּשׂ, `{{H7797}}`), it uniquely encompasses both the abstract feeling of joy and the concrete cause or object of that joy. Its biblical occurrences, particularly in prophetic literature and Psalms, highlight its profound theological significance. Mâsôws is consistently linked to God as the ultimate source of true joy, often appearing in contexts of divine presence, salvation, and future eschatological restoration where Jerusalem itself becomes the embodiment of everlasting joy. Conversely, its absence or removal serves as a stark indicator of divine judgment and the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. Thus, mâsôws represents a deep, often exuberant, and divinely-sourced emotion and state of being, central to the biblical understanding of blessing, redemption, and the ultimate hope found in God.
TRV