English · KJV
H4184

מוּשׁ

mûwsh /moosh/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto touch
KJV usagefeel, handle.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mûwsh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mûwsh, represented by H4184, is a primitive root meaning to touch; feel, handle. As a rarely used term, it appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, each instance highlighting a direct, physical interaction with the world.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The uses of H4184 are grounded in tangible actions. In a moment of deception, a blind Isaac H3327 asks to feel his son to verify his identity Genesis 27:21. In a display of final, desperate strength, Samson requests to feel the foundational pillars of a house so he can lean upon them Judges 16:26. Finally, in a polemic against idolatry, the psalmist points out that idols have hands but cannot handle, contrasting their inanimate nature with the capabilities of a living being Psalms 115:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help contextualize the act of feeling or handling:

  • H3237 yâmash (feel): A primitive root meaning to touch or feel, this word is used in conjunction with H4184 in the account of Samson, emphasizing his need to physically locate the pillars Judges 16:26.
  • H3027 yâd (hand): This word for hand, indicating power and means, is the instrument through which feeling and handling occur. It is the subject of the action in both the Samson narrative and the psalm on idols (Judges 16:26, Psalms 115:7).
  • H8172 shâʻan (lean): A primitive root meaning to support one's self, lean, or rest on. This is the explicit purpose for which Samson wants to feel the pillars, linking the act of touching to an intent to rely on something Judges 16:26.
  • H5066 nâgash (to be or come near): This word describes the necessary prerequisite for physical touch. Isaac commands Jacob to "come near" in order to be felt, showing that proximity is essential for the action of H4184 Genesis 27:21.

Theological Significance

The significance of H4184 lies in its focus on the physical realm and sensory experience.

  • Verification Through Sensation: The word is used in a context of discerning truth through physical touch when another sense has failed, as when Isaac attempts to identify his son by feeling him Genesis 27:21.
  • Interaction and Intent: Touching is portrayed as a deliberate act with a specific goal. Samson feels for the pillars not as an idle gesture, but with the clear intention of leaning on them to exert force Judges 16:26.
  • Defining Life and Powerlessness: The inability to handle is used as a key argument for the lifelessness of idols. This limitation, along with their inability to walk or speak, defines them as impotent in contrast to the living God Psalms 115:7.

Summary

In summary, H4184 provides a specific and concrete understanding of physical interaction. Though rare, its appearances are memorable, illustrating themes of identity verification, purposeful physical engagement, and the critical distinction between the living and the inanimate. It shows how the simple act of touching or handling can carry significant weight in a narrative, establishing truth, intent, or the lack of life itself.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יְמִישׁוּ
  • אֲמֻשְׁ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3327 יִצְחָק from צָחַק; laughter (i.e. mochery); Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham; Isaac. Compare יִשְׂחָק. H3237 יָמַשׁ a primitive root; to touch; feel. H3027 יָד a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applicat H8172 שָׁעַן a primitive root; to support one's self; lean, lie, rely, rest (on, self), stay. H5066 נָגַשׁ a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Genesis, Judges, and Psalms (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
Genesis
1
Judges
1
Psalms

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.