from מָשַׁךְ; a sowing; also a possession; precious, price.
Transliteration:meshek
Pronunciation:meh'shek
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4901}}` (מֶשֶׁךְ, *meshek*) is derived from the verbal root `{{H4900}}` (מָשַׁךְ, *mashak*), which primarily signifies "to draw, drag, pull, prolong, or extend." This foundational meaning informs the various semantic nuances of `{{H4901}}`. The base definition provided for `{{H4901}}` encompasses "a sowing," "a possession," and "precious" or "price." The connection to "sowing" likely stems from the act of "drawing out" or "scattering" seeds. The meaning of "possession" or "price" could relate to something "drawn in" or acquired, or the value "drawn out" of an item in exchange. Despite its limited occurrences, `{{H4901}}` thus carries a dual semantic range: one related to agricultural effort and the other to intrinsic value or cost.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H4901}}` appears only twice in the Masoretic Text, each instance illuminating a distinct facet of its semantic range.
1. **[[Psalm 126:6]]**: "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow (מֶשֶׁךְ זָרַע), will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."
In this poetic verse, `{{H4901}}` appears in the construct phrase *meshek zera'*, literally "a drawing out of seed" or "the sowing of seed." Here, *meshek* refers to the act or process of sowing, emphasizing the arduous, tearful labor involved in scattering seed. The context is one of hopeful perseverance through hardship, anticipating a bountiful harvest. The "weeping" suggests the difficulty or suffering endured during the period of sowing, whether literally in agricultural terms or metaphorically in spiritual or national travail.
2. **[[Job 28:18]]**: "No mention shall be made of coral or crystal; the price (מֶשֶׁךְ) of wisdom is above rubies."
Here, `{{H4901}}` stands alone, translated as "price." In this profound discourse on the inaccessibility and unparalleled value of wisdom, *meshek* denotes the cost or worth of something. The verse asserts that no earthly treasure, however precious (like coral, crystal, or rubies), can compare to the immeasurable value of true wisdom, which is ultimately divine. This usage highlights the "precious" or "price" aspect of the word, underscoring the transcendent nature of wisdom that cannot be acquired through conventional means of exchange.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H4901}}` is its root verb, `{{H4900}}` (מָשַׁךְ, *mashak*), meaning "to draw, drag, pull." This root is used in various contexts, from drawing water (e.g., [[Exodus 2:10]]) to drawing a bow (e.g., [[1 Kings 22:34]]), or even prolonging days (e.g., [[Isaiah 13:22]]). The nominal form `{{H4901}}` captures specific outcomes or aspects of this "drawing" action.
Semantically, `{{H4901}}` in [[Psalm 126:6]] connects to concepts of agriculture, labor, perseverance, hope, and harvest. Related Hebrew terms would include `{{H2233}}` (זֶרַע, *zera'*, "seed"), `{{H7105}}` (קָצִיר, *qatsir*, "harvest"), and `{{H1061}}` (בָּכָה, *bakah*, "to weep"). The imagery of sowing in tears and reaping in joy is a pervasive biblical motif for faith enduring hardship.
In [[Job 28:18]], `{{H4901}}` relates to concepts of value, worth, wisdom, and acquisition. Other words that share this semantic field include `{{H2896}}` (טוֹב, *tov*, "good, valuable"), `{{H3403}}` (יָקָר, *yaqar*, "precious"), and `{{H2451}}` (חָכְמָה, *chokmah*, "wisdom"). The passage in Job systematically dismisses various earthly treasures as inadequate measures for wisdom's true value, emphasizing its divine origin and inestimability.
### Theological Significance
The dual usage of `{{H4901}}` offers profound theological insights.
In [[Psalm 126:6]], *meshek* as "sowing" becomes a powerful metaphor for the kingdom of God and the life of faith. It speaks to the divine principle that effort, often accompanied by pain and sacrifice ("weeping"), is a prerequisite for future joy and abundance ("reaping with shouts of joy"). This passage resonates with the New Testament principle of sowing and reaping (e.g., [[Galatians 6:7-9]]), highlighting that faithful perseverance in service to God, even amidst difficulty, will ultimately yield a spiritual harvest. It underscores God's faithfulness to bring forth fruit from diligent labor and trust.
In [[Job 28:18]], *meshek* as "price" elevates the concept of divine wisdom above all earthly wealth and human endeavor. This is not merely human sagacity but a profound, God-given understanding of the cosmos and moral order. The unquantifiable "price" of wisdom implies that it cannot be bought, earned, or discovered by human means alone. It points to wisdom as a divine gift, accessible only through revelation and reverence for God (e.g., [[Proverbs 9:10]], "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"). This highlights the transcendent value of spiritual truth over material possessions.
Together, these two uses of `{{H4901}}` present a holistic picture: the value of diligent, often painful, human effort in the divine economy (sowing), and the immeasurable, transcendent value of divine wisdom itself (price). Both contexts ultimately point to God as the source of true fruitfulness and ultimate truth.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H4901}}` (מֶשֶׁךְ, *meshek*), derived from the root `{{H4900}}` ("to draw"), holds a concise yet profound semantic range. Its two occurrences in the Hebrew Bible beautifully illustrate its dual meaning: as "sowing" in [[Psalm 126:6]], it metaphorically represents the arduous yet hopeful labor that precedes divine blessing and harvest, emphasizing perseverance in faith. As "price" in [[Job 28:18]], it underscores the inestimable, transcendent value of divine wisdom, which surpasses all earthly treasures and cannot be acquired by human means. Though rare, `{{H4901}}` thus serves as a powerful term, pointing to the essential biblical truths of diligent spiritual effort and the supreme worth of God-given wisdom.
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