מָסַךְ
𐤌𐤎𐤊
mâçak
H4537 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To mix or blend, especially liquids; in biblical usage, commonly refers to the mixing or diluting of wine with substances such as water, spices, or other flavorings. The term can also be used more generally for the process of combining or mingling different elements to produce a homogeneous mixture, though its primary application is to the preparation of beverages.
Semantic Range
to mix or blend (especially liquids such as wine), to prepare (a beverage), to mingle (flavors or substances), to dilute (wine with water or spices)
Root / Etymology
Root מָסַךְ (masakh), related to the concept of 'mixing' or 'blending' substances. The form is a primitive verbal root, with derived nouns and participles occurring in related senses for mixed or prepared wine. There is no strong evidence for a relation to other common Hebrew roots.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מָסַךְ is most frequently attested in contexts describing wine preparation, notably in festive or ritual settings where wine is 'mixed' as part of communal feasting or religious offering. In many ancient Near Eastern cultures, wine was often diluted with water or mixed with spices to enhance flavor, preserve the drink, or regulate intoxication, and the use of this root reflects this standard practice. Translation traditions (such as the Septuagint and Vulgate) sometimes render the term as 'prepare,' 'mix,' or 'pour,' and English translations vary between 'mingled wine,' 'spiced wine,' or simply 'mixed.' In contrast to שָׁקָה (shaqah, 'to give drink, irrigate'), which focuses on the act of giving or providing a drink, מָסַךְ refers to the method of preparation. In post-biblical Hebrew, the term retains the sense of 'to mix,' though it largely becomes specialized for wine in liturgical or poetic contexts. There is little evidence of a significant semantic shift, but the ritual and social dimensions of wine-mixing are implicit throughout its biblical use.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to mix, especially wine (with spices); mingle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מסך (m-s-k) — mixing, blending, mingling
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4537-03 |
מָסָֽכְתִּי | masakheti | HVqp1cs |
I have mixed | I mixed | 2 |
H4537-04 |
מָסְכָ֣ה | masekhah | HVqp3fs |
she has mixed | cast-metal image | 1 |
H4537-02 |
מָסַ֥ךְ | masakhe | HVqp3ms |
has-mingled | screening curtain | 1 |
H4537-01 |
לִ/מְסֹ֥ךְ | limesokhe | HR/Vqc |
to-mix | to mix | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4537-01 |
Isaiah 5:22 | לִ/מְסֹ֥ךְ | limesokhe | HR/Vqc |
to-mix | to mix |
H4537-02 |
Isaiah 19:14 | מָסַ֥ךְ | masakhe | HVqp3ms |
has-mingled | screening curtain |
H4537-03 |
Psalms 102:10 | מָסָֽכְתִּי | masakheti | HVqp1cs |
I mix | I mixed |
H4537-04 |
Proverbs 9:2 | מָסְכָ֣ה | masekhah | HVqp3fs |
she has mixed | cast-metal image |
H4537-03 |
Proverbs 9:5 | מָסָֽכְתִּי | masakheti | HVqp1cs |
I have mixed | I mixed |