The Hebrew word mishrâh, represented by H4952, is a specific term for liquor or steeped juice. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The word derives from a root meaning "loosening" and describes a liquid made by maceration, likely a juice created by steeping grapes.
The sole appearance of H4952 is within the laws concerning the vow of a Nazarite. The command specifies a complete abstinence from all grape products, stating that a person consecrated to the LORD "shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried" Numbers 6:3. This places mishrâh within a spectrum of prohibited items, distinct from fermented wine but also from the raw fruit itself.
Several related words clarify the context of this unique prohibition:
- H5144 nâzar (consecrate, separate): The defining action associated with the prohibition of mishrâh. This root is used for the vow of a Nazarite, who is to "separate themselves unto the LORD" Numbers 6:2.
- H3196 yayin (wine): This is the primary fermented beverage a Nazarite must avoid, mentioned alongside mishrâh. Its prohibition is a key element of the vow Numbers 6:3.
- H3892 lach (green, moist): This adjective describes the fresh, undried state of the grapes that are also forbidden, showing the vow's comprehensive nature Numbers 6:3.
- H3002 yâbêsh (dry): This term is used for the "dried" grapes that a Nazarite cannot eat, representing the other end of the grape's natural state from which mishrâh is derived Numbers 6:3.
The theological weight of H4952 is tied directly to its singular context:
- Holistic Consecration: The inclusion of H4952 in the Nazarite vow highlights the totality of the separation. It was not enough to avoid wine; every form of grape product, from fresh fruit to steeped juice to fermented drink, was forbidden Numbers 6:3.
- Separation from Common Life: Grapes and their products, like wine H3196, were staples of life and celebration Ecclesiastes 9:7. Abstaining from even a simple "liquor" of grapes symbolized a Nazarite's deliberate step away from ordinary earthly pleasures to be set apart for a holy purpose.
- Purity and Devotion: The command in Numbers 6:3 is an act of devotion. By avoiding mishrâh and other grape products, the Nazarite maintained a state of ritual purity and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their vow unto the LORD.
In summary, H4952 is a highly specific term whose sole biblical appearance is critical to understanding the Nazarite vow. It is not simply another word for a drink but represents a particular preparation of grape juice that was explicitly forbidden to those consecrated to God. The word mishrâh illustrates the depth and thoroughness required in this unique form of biblical devotion, where separation from the world extended to every product of the grapevine.
TRV