מָסָה
𐤌𐤎𐤄
mâçâh
H4529 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To dissolve, liquefy, or cause to melt; to become fluid or to cause something to lose its solid form and flow. Used in both literal and figurative contexts, the verb can describe physical melting (as of wax, metals, or snow), as well as emotional or spiritual dissolution, such as the melting away of courage, strength, or hope.
Semantic Range
to melt (metals, wax, snow), to dissolve or cause to liquefy, to cause to waste away, to faint or lose resolve (figurative), to make to disappear (through melting or dissolving), to dishearten or cause spiritual collapse
Root / Etymology
From the root מָסָה (מ-ס-ה), likely carrying the basic sense 'to dissolve' or 'to cause to become liquid.' This root gives rise to verbs and nominal forms referring to the act or process of melting, dissolving, or liquefying. The etymological connection centers on the transformation of solid into liquid, extending metaphorically to emotional states.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מָסָה is attested both in mundane physical contexts (such as melting metals or wax, Psalm 68:3; Ezekiel 22:21) and in more figurative settings where courage or the inner resolve of individuals or groups 'melts' before fear or adversity (e.g., Joshua 2:11; Isaiah 13:7). The word can be distinguished from other Hebrew roots related to destruction or dissolution (such as נמס or מומ), which may emphasize different aspects of decay, loss, or corruption. English translations often render it as 'melt,' 'dissolve,' or 'wax faint,' but these may not capture the breadth of physical and metaphorical use. Over time, the figurative sense of fading courage or strength becomes prominent, especially in post-exilic and poetic texts. There is some overlap in usage with terms like נָמֵס (namēs), but מָסָה often retains a more active sense of causing to melt or dissolve rather than simply describing a state. The word is distinct from the unrelated noun מַצָּה (maṣṣāh, unleavened bread) despite superficial resemblance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to dissolve; make to consume away, (make to) melt, water.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מסה (m-s-h) — to dissolve, to melt, to liquefy, to cause to flow
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4529-03 |
וַ/תֶּ֣מֶס | vatemes | HC/Vhw2ms |
and-you-consume | and you caused to melt | 1 |
H4529-01 |
אַמְסֶֽה | ameseh | HVhi1cs |
I drench | I will cause to melt | 1 |
H4529-02 |
הִמְסִ֖יו | himesiv | HVhp3cp |
made melt | they caused to melt | 1 |
H4529-04 |
וְ/יַמְסֵ֑/ם | veyamesem | HC/Vhi3ms/Sp3mp |
and melts them | and he will cause them to melt | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4529-02 |
Joshua 14:8 | הִמְסִ֖יו | himesiv | HVhp3cp |
made melt | they caused to melt |
H4529-01 |
Psalms 6:7 | אַמְסֶֽה | ameseh | HVhi1cs |
I drench | I will cause to melt |
H4529-03 |
Psalms 39:12 | וַ/תֶּ֣מֶס | vatemes | HC/Vhw2ms |
and-you-consume | and you caused to melt |
H4529-04 |
Psalms 147:18 | וְ/יַמְסֵ֑/ם | veyamesem | HC/Vhi3ms/Sp3mp |
and melts them | and he will cause them to melt |