מַמְסָךְ
𐤌𐤌𐤎𐤊
mamçâk
H4469 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A mixed or blended beverage, typically referencing wine prepared with water, spices, or aromatic ingredients; by extension, a liquid offering (often of such wine) presented in certain cultic or ceremonial contexts. The word most frequently denotes a wine that is intentionally altered for taste or ritual use, rather than unmixed wine.
Semantic Range
mixed beverage, blended wine, seasoned or spiced wine, wine prepared for a ritual offering, cultic drink-offering
Root / Etymology
From the root מסך (m-s-k), meaning 'to mix, mingle, blend.' The noun מַמְסָךְ is a derived form indicating something that is mixed or blended, specifically used in the context of beverages, especially wine.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מַמְסָךְ appears in poetic and cultic contexts (e.g., Proverbs 23:30; Isaiah 65:11), usually referring to a wine prepared with additional substances. Ancient wine was often consumed mixed, as straight wine was considered harsh or undiluted; mixing not only improved flavor but also symbolized careful preparation for feasting or ritual. In passages like Isaiah 65:11, מַמְסָךְ is associated with ritual offerings to foreign deities, underlining its use in cultic settings, while in Proverbs, it marks the excesses of feasting. English translations often use 'mixed wine' or 'drink-offering,' but the term should be distinguished from other Hebrew words for wine (יַיִן, תִּירוֹשׁ) that denote unmixed or fresh wine. The Greek Septuagint sometimes renders the term as 'kraśion,' borrowing the Greek notion of mixed wine, but this can mask nuances of Israelite ritual.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָסַךְ; mixture, i.e. (specifically) wine mixed (with water or spices); drink-offering, mixed wine.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מסך (m-s-k) — to mix, blend, mingle
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4469-01 |
מִמְסָֽךְ | mimesakhe | HNcmsa |
mixed wine | blended wine | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4469-01 |
Isaiah 65:11 | מִמְסָֽךְ | mimesakhe | HNcmsa |
mixed wine | blended wine |
H4469-01 |
Proverbs 23:30 | מִמְסָֽךְ | mimesakhe | HNcmsa |
mixed wine | blended wine |