### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **masṭêmâh**, represented by `{{H4895}}`, means **enmity** or **hatred**. It is a rare term, appearing only **2 times** in **2 unique verses** in the Bible. Its definition points to a deep-seated hostility.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word's usage is confined to the book of Hosea, where it describes a profound spiritual crisis in Israel. In one instance, the "great **hatred**" is presented as a direct consequence of the "multitude of thine iniquity," occurring during the "days of visitation" and "recompence" [[Hosea 9:7]]. In the following verse, this **hatred** is located "in the house of his God," a context where the prophet himself has become a "snare of a fowler" [[Hosea 9:8]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its context help clarify its meaning:
* `{{H5771}}` **ʻâvôn** (iniquity): This term for moral evil and perversity is given as the source of the "great hatred" in Israel [[Hosea 9:7]].
* `{{H6486}}` **pᵉquddâh** (visitation): The period in which this hatred is manifest is described as the "day of visitation," a time of official reckoning and judgment [[Hosea 9:7]].
* `{{H191}}` **ʼĕvîyl** (fool): As a result of Israel's iniquity and hatred, the prophet is perceived as a "fool," highlighting the nation's spiritual blindness [[Hosea 9:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4895}}` is significant despite its infrequent use. It reveals a specific spiritual condition tied to judgment.
* **Consequence of Iniquity:** The term directly links pervasive hatred to an abundance of sin. It is not just an emotion but a spiritual state resulting from moral corruption [[Hosea 9:7]].
* **Corruption of the Sacred:** This hatred pollutes what should be holy. Its presence "in the house of his God" signifies that the nation's apostasy has contaminated its own religious center [[Hosea 9:8]].
* **A Marker of Judgment:** The appearance of **masṭêmâh** coincides with the "days of recompence," framing it as an undeniable sign of divine judgment being enacted upon Israel [[Hosea 9:7]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4895}}` is a powerful and specific term for a hatred born from sin. Its context in Hosea shows it to be more than simple animosity; it is a feature of spiritual decay that corrupts sacred institutions and serves as a clear indicator of impending divine judgment. The word illustrates how deep-seated enmity is a consequence of turning away from God.
TRV