### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) is derived from the verbal root שָׂכַר (sakar - `{{H7936}}`), which means "to hire," "to earn wages," or "to reward." As a noun, מַשְׂכֹּרֶת carries the primary meaning of "wages," "salary," or "hire," referring to the compensation paid for work or service rendered. Its semantic range extends to "reward" or "recompense," implying a just return for actions, whether positive or negative. It denotes something that is earned or given in exchange for effort, time, or merit.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but each occurrence provides significant contextual insight:
1. **[[Genesis 29:15]]**: Laban asks Jacob, "Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages (מַשְׂכֹּרֶת) be?" Here, the word directly refers to the contractual compensation for Jacob's labor, highlighting the expectation of fair remuneration for work performed within a familial, yet transactional, context.
2. **[[Genesis 31:7]]**: Jacob recounts to Rachel and Leah how Laban had deceived him, stating, "Your father has cheated me and changed my wages (מַשְׂכֹּרֶת) ten times." This verse, along with [[Genesis 31:41]], where Jacob reiterates Laban's manipulation of his wages, emphasizes the concept of wages as a fixed and agreed-upon amount, and the injustice of its alteration. It underscores the importance of integrity in labor agreements.
3. **[[Ruth 2:12]]**: Boaz blesses Ruth, saying, "May the Lord repay your work, and a full reward (מַשְׂכֹּרֶת) be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" This occurrence is particularly profound. Unlike the Genesis passages which refer to human-to-human economic transactions, here מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) signifies a divine recompense. It is not merely wages for labor, but a comprehensive divine reward for Ruth's faithfulness, loyalty, and seeking refuge under God's care. This usage elevates the term from a mundane economic concept to a theological one, pointing to God as the ultimate dispenser of just and generous recompense.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) is intimately connected to its verbal root and other derivatives:
* **שָׂכַר (sakar - `{{H7936}}`)**: The primary verbal root meaning "to hire," "to earn wages," or "to reward." This root undergirds the concept of compensation for service.
* **שָׂכָר (śākār - `{{H7939}}`)**: Another noun derived from the same root, often translated as "wages," "reward," or "hire." While very similar in meaning and often interchangeable, מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) might emphasize the earned nature of the compensation more directly, or the specific payment itself.
* **שְׂכִיר (śākhîr - `{{H7916}}`)**: A noun meaning "hired man" or "hireling," referring to the one who receives the wages.
Concepts closely associated with מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) include justice in labor, fairness in economic dealings, divine providence, and the principle of recompense for actions, whether human or divine.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) is multifaceted:
1. **Divine Justice and Providence**: The most striking theological implication comes from [[Ruth 2:12]], where God is presented as the one who gives a "full reward." This signifies that God is not merely an observer but an active participant in the lives of His faithful, ensuring that their righteous deeds and trust in Him are justly and generously recompensed. It underscores God's faithfulness and His commitment to upholding justice.
2. **Value of Human Labor**: The Genesis accounts, particularly the disputes between Jacob and Laban, implicitly highlight the biblical principle of fair wages for work. The repeated emphasis on Laban changing Jacob's wages underscores the importance of honoring agreements and providing just compensation for labor. This resonates with broader biblical ethics concerning economic fairness and the prevention of exploitation.
3. **Principle of Recompense**: Whether in human transactions or divine dealings, מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) embodies the principle that actions have consequences and that there is a just return for effort or merit. In the divine context, this reinforces the concept of God's righteous judgment and His benevolent rewarding of those who walk in His ways.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) primarily denotes "wages" or "compensation" for labor, deriving from the root שָׂכַר (sakar - `{{H7936}}`) meaning "to hire" or "to reward." Its usage in the Book of Genesis illustrates the mundane yet crucial aspect of human economic transactions, emphasizing the importance of fair and agreed-upon wages. However, its profound appearance in the Book of Ruth elevates its meaning to encompass a "full reward" given by God Himself, transforming it into a term of divine recompense for faithfulness and righteous deeds. Thus, מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth - `{{H4909}}`) bridges the human sphere of labor and compensation with the divine realm of justice and providence, affirming God as the ultimate and faithful rewarder.
TRV