מַסָּה
𐤌𐤎𐤄
Masah
H4532 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating a specific geographic location named 'Massah,' known from Israelite desert wanderings; the name is symbolically associated with the theme of 'testing' or 'trial.' In biblical usage, 'Massah' refers to the site where the Israelites quarreled and tested YHWH during their wilderness journey, particularly concerning the lack of water.
Semantic Range
Massah (as a place-name in the desert associated with testing or trial), conceptually linked to the act of testing or proving (especially in the context of YHWH’s interaction with Israel);
Root / Etymology
From root נָסָה (nasah), meaning 'to test, try, put to the proof.' The place name מַסָּה (Massah) derives from this root, referring to the act of testing or a place of trial.
Historical & Contextual Notes
'Massah' occurs primarily in the context of the wilderness narratives (e.g., Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 6:16; 9:22; 33:8), closely linked with 'Meribah' ('quarrel' or 'contention'). The name emphasizes the incident where the Israelites challenged or tested YHWH due to water shortage. In later interpretive traditions, 'Massah' becomes emblematic of a recurrent attitude of distrust or testing of the divine during the Israelite wilderness period. English translations typically transliterate this as 'Massah,' sometimes glossing it as 'testing' or 'trial' in explanatory notes, but the core referent remains the historical site associated with the narrative of testing YHWH. The distinction between 'Massah' (testing) and 'Meribah' (contention) illuminates differing emphases on the people’s action versus their dispute.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as מַסָּה; Massah, a place in the Desert; Massah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נסה (n-s-h) — to test, to try, to prove
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4532-02 |
בְּ/מַסָּ֔ה | bemasah | HR/Np |
at Massah | in Testing-place | 1 |
H4532-03 |
מַסָּ֖ה | masah | HNp |
Massah | Testing-Place | 1 |
H4532-01 |
בַּ/מַּסָּֽה | bamasah | HRd/Np |
at Massah | in Testing-place | 1 |
H4532-04 |
וּ/בְ/מַסָּ֔ה | uvemasah | HC/R/Np |
and at Massah | and in Massah | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4532-03 |
Exodus 17:7 | מַסָּ֖ה | masah | HNp |
Massah | Testing-Place |
H4532-01 |
Deuteronomy 6:16 | בַּ/מַּסָּֽה | bamasah | HRd/Np |
at Massah | in Testing-place |
H4532-04 |
Deuteronomy 9:22 | וּ/בְ/מַסָּ֔ה | uvemasah | HC/R/Np |
and at Massah | and in Massah |
H4532-02 |
Deuteronomy 33:8 | בְּ/מַסָּ֔ה | bemasah | HR/Np |
at Massah | in Testing-place |