or מִשְׁעֶנֶת; feminine of מִשְׁעֵן; support (abstractly), i.e. (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick; staff.
Transliteration:mishʻênâh
Pronunciation:mish-ay-naw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh, `{{H4938}}`) is derived from the root שׁ.ע.ן (sh.ʻ.n), which conveys the idea of leaning upon or relying on something for support. The base definition provided indicates that מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh) is a feminine form related to מִשְׁעֵן (mishen), and its core meaning is "support."
Its semantic range extends in two primary directions:
1. **Concrete:** It refers to a physical object used for support, specifically a "walking-stick" or "staff." This emphasizes its role as a tangible aid for stability, particularly in walking or standing.
2. **Abstract/Figurative:** It expands to denote "sustenance" or "provision." In this sense, it refers to that which upholds life and strength, most notably food. This metaphorical usage highlights the essential role of sustenance as a form of life-support.
Thus, מִשְׁעֵנָה encompasses both the physical implement of stability and the vital provision that sustains existence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh, `{{H4938}}`) appears in various biblical contexts, illustrating its dual semantic range:
* **As a Physical Staff/Walking-Stick:**
* In [[Exodus 21:19]], it refers to a staff used by an injured person to walk, emphasizing its function as a aid for mobility and recovery.
* [[Numbers 21:18]] mentions the nobles digging a well with their staffs, suggesting its use as a tool or a symbol of their position, though still retaining the sense of a practical implement.
* In [[Judges 6:21]], Gideon uses his staff to touch the meat and unleavened cakes, causing fire to consume them, highlighting its role as an extension of the user's hand or authority.
* The narrative of Elisha sending Gehazi with his staff to raise the Shunammite's son ([[2 Kings 4:29]], [[2 Kings 4:31]]) underscores its symbolic power and the expectation of its efficacy, even if ultimately unsuccessful without Elisha's direct intervention.
* [[Zechariah 8:4]] paints a picture of elderly people leaning on their staffs in the streets of Jerusalem, vividly portraying its common use for support in old age.
* **As Sustenance/Provision (Figurative "Staff of Bread"):**
* This is a significant metaphorical usage, particularly in the context of divine judgment or blessing. The phrase "break the staff of bread" (מִשְׁעֵן לֶחֶם) signifies a famine or scarcity of food.
* [[Leviticus 26:26]] warns of this judgment, where God will "break your staff of bread," meaning a severe lack of food will result in hunger despite eating.
* [[Psalm 105:16]] attributes such a breaking of the "staff of bread" to God's command, demonstrating His sovereignty over provision.
* The prophet Ezekiel frequently employs this imagery to describe impending judgment upon Israel and Judah due to their unfaithfulness ([[Ezekiel 4:16]], [[Ezekiel 5:16]], [[Ezekiel 14:13]]). It vividly conveys the withholding of life-sustaining provision.
* **As Unreliable Support (Figurative "Staff of Reed"):**
* A powerful negative metaphor appears in Ezekiel's prophecy against Egypt. Egypt is likened to a "staff of reed" ([[Ezekiel 29:6]], [[Ezekiel 29:7]]). This imagery emphasizes the deceptive and unreliable nature of human alliances or worldly powers. When one leans on a reed staff, it splinters and pierces the hand, representing the harm and disappointment that come from trusting in anything other than God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh, `{{H4938}}`) is enriched by examining its linguistic relatives and conceptual parallels:
* **Root Verb:** The foundational verb is שָׁעַן (sha'an, `{{H8172}}`), meaning "to lean, to support oneself, to rest upon, to depend." This verb encapsulates the core idea of reliance and is crucial for understanding the noun.
* **Related Nouns:**
* מִשְׁעָן (mishʻan, `{{H4937}}`): This related noun also means "support" or "prop," often used in a more general sense for anything that provides support.
* מִשְׁעֶנֶת (mishʻenet): The base definition for `{{H4938}}` notes this as an alternative form, indicating they are interchangeable and refer to the same concept of a staff or support.
* **Other Words for Staff/Rod:**
* מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, `{{H4294}}`): A more general term for a "staff," "rod," or "branch," often associated with authority, tribal identity, or miraculous signs (e.g., Moses' staff). While it can be used for support, its primary connotation is broader.
* שֵׁבֶט (shevet, `{{H7626}}`): Refers to a "rod," "scepter," or "tribe." It can denote a shepherd's staff, a rod of discipline, or a symbol of royal authority. While it provides support, its primary emphasis is often on rule or correction.
* In contrast, מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh, `{{H4938}}`) specifically highlights the *function* of support, whether physical or metaphorical.
* **Concepts:** The word evokes broader theological concepts such as dependence, reliance, provision, sustenance, fragility (when referring to an unreliable support), and divine sovereignty over life and resources.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh, `{{H4938}}`) lies in its profound implications for human dependence and divine provision:
1. **Human Dependence:** The very existence of a staff or the need for sustenance underscores the inherent limitations and vulnerability of humanity. Humans require external support, whether a physical aid for their bodies or food for their lives. This dependence points towards a deeper theological truth: humanity is not self-sufficient.
2. **Divine Provision and Sovereignty:** The "staff of bread" metaphor powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, blessing and judgment. When God "breaks the staff of bread," it signifies His direct intervention in withholding sustenance due to human disobedience. Conversely, His consistent provision of food is a testament to His faithfulness and care for His creation. This highlights that true sustenance comes from God alone.
3. **The Danger of False Reliance:** The imagery of Egypt as a "staff of reed" in Ezekiel serves as a stark warning against placing trust in unreliable human powers or worldly resources. Such false supports offer no genuine stability and ultimately lead to disappointment and harm. This teaches the critical theological principle that ultimate reliance must be placed solely on the Lord, who is the only true and unfailing support.
4. **God as the Ultimate Support:** While מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh, `{{H4938}}`) is not directly applied to God as a title, the concept it embodies—that of a reliable and essential support—is central to biblical descriptions of Yahweh. He is consistently portrayed as the Rock, the refuge, the one who upholds and sustains His people (e.g., [[Psalm 18:2]], [[Psalm 62:6]]). The fragility of human supports, as depicted by the "staff of reed," implicitly magnifies the steadfastness of God as the only trustworthy foundation.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh, `{{H4938}}`) is a rich term signifying "support." Its semantic range extends from a concrete "walking-stick" or "staff," used for physical stability, to the abstract concept of "sustenance" or "provision," particularly "bread," which upholds life. Its usage in the Old Testament vividly illustrates both the practical need for support in daily life and, more profoundly, humanity's fundamental dependence on external sources.
Theologically, מִשְׁCֵנָה (mishʻênâh, `{{H4938}}`) underscores God's sovereignty over all provision, His role as the ultimate and reliable source of sustenance, and the perilous consequences of placing trust in ephemeral human or worldly supports. The "breaking of the staff of bread" serves as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and famine, while the "staff of reed" warns against the futility of false reliance. Ultimately, this word invites reflection on where true and lasting support is found.
TRV