### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mishqôwl**, represented by `{{H4946}}`, directly translates as **weight**. Derived from the root for weighing, its singular appearance in scripture makes its context particularly significant. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse**, highlighting a very specific and impactful application of the concept of measurement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole use of `{{H4946}}` is found in Ezekiel's prophetic ministry. As a sign of the coming siege and famine in Jerusalem, God commands the prophet, "And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by **weight**, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it" [[Ezekiel 4:10]]. In this dramatic context, **weight** is not a measure of commerce or abundance, but of extreme scarcity and rationing. The meticulous measurement underscores the severity of the coming judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of `{{H4946}}` is illuminated by the words used alongside it in its only appearance:
* `{{H8255}}` **sheqel** (shekel): This word provides the specific unit for the **weight**, defined as a commercial standard. Its use in contexts of commerce [[2 Kings 7:1]] and sacred offerings [[Leviticus 5:15]] contrasts with its role in [[Ezekiel 4:10]], where it measures a grim daily ration.
* `{{H3978}}` **maʼăkâl** (food, meat): This is the substance being measured by **weight**. Defined as an eatable, it is used for the life-sustaining food in Eden [[Genesis 2:9]] but also for carcasses consumed in judgment [[Jeremiah 16:4]], linking it to themes of both divine provision and curse.
* `{{H6242}}` **ʻesrîym** (twenty): This term quantifies the **weight**, grounding the abstract concept in a concrete, small number. The use of a specific number for the ration ("twenty shekels") emphasizes the precise and inescapable nature of the hardship being depicted [[Ezekiel 4:10]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4946}}` is concentrated in its singular, powerful usage.
* **Symbol of Judgment:** The act of measuring food by **weight** is a direct and physical symbol of impending famine and divine judgment. It represents a reversal of blessing, where sustenance is no longer abundant but severely restricted by a precise measure [[Ezekiel 4:10]].
* **Meticulous Divine Control:** The command to use a specific **weight** ("twenty shekels") demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty, even in the execution of judgment. The hardship is not chaotic but carefully measured and ordained.
* **Tangible Prophetic Sign:** For Ezekiel, the **weight** is not just a word but part of a lived-out prophecy. It makes the coming desolation a tangible, daily reality for the prophet, serving as a stark warning to the people.
### Summary
In summary, while **mishqôwl** `{{H4946}}` is one of the rarest words in the Old Testament, its single appearance is profoundly impactful. It transforms the neutral concept of **weight** into a potent symbol of scarcity, judgment, and divine control. Its context in [[Ezekiel 4:10]] provides a stark illustration of how God uses tangible, measurable actions to communicate the gravity of his prophetic warnings.
TRV