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מַסֵּכָה

𐤌𐤎𐤊𐤄

maççêkâh

H4541 noun

SILEX Entry

Root נסך to pour, cast, offer as a libation

Definition

A molten image, idol, or object formed from poured metal, especially as an object of worship; also, in some contexts, a covering or veil made by a pouring or weaving process. Primarily denotes a cast or molded image (often of a deity), but may also refer to the act or result of pouring in ritual contexts (libation), or, less commonly, a spread covering.

Semantic Range

molten image, idol, cast figure, poured libation, libation vessel, weaving/covering, veil

Root / Etymology

From the root נסך (n-s-k), meaning 'to pour, cast, make a libation.' The noun מַסֵּכָה derives from the Pi‘el or Qal participle/form of the root, conveying the idea of something 'poured out' or 'cast'—specifically, an object made by pouring molten metal into a mold.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מַסֵּכָה overwhelmingly refers to a cast metal image, particularly an idol made for worship (e.g., the golden calf in Exod 32:4). These objects are typically contrasted with פֶסֶל (pesel), 'carved/graven image,' emphasizing their method of manufacture—poured/cast rather than carved. In a few instances, the term can also denote a libation (Num 28:7) or a woven/spread covering (Isa 25:7), showing extension of meaning based on the idea of 'pouring out' or 'spreading.' Later Jewish tradition and translation history often use 'molten image' or 'idol,' but in some English Bibles, the term 'vail' or 'covering' appears where the underlying context suggests a spread-out feature rather than a cultic object. The semantic boundaries of מַסֵּכָה shift slightly over time and depend on context: in the patriarchal and monarchic periods, its use nearly always means a cast idol; in prophetic and wisdom literature, it may gain metaphorical layers, referencing coverings or veils used in celebrations or funerary contexts. Modern English translations usually restrict 'molten image' to cultic references but sometimes obscure the connection to libation or covering senses found elsewhere.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from נָסַךְ; properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e. league; concretely a coverlet (as if poured out); covering, molten (image), vail.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נסך (n-s-k) — to pour, cast, offer as a libation

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4537 מָסַךְ cast-metal image
H4545 מַסֶּכֶת the spread-out textile
H5257 נְסִיךְ their installed prince
H5258 נָסַךְ I will pour out
H5259 נָסַךְ the interwoven one

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4541-03 מַסֵּכָ֑ה masekhah HNcfsa molten cast-metal image 11
H4541-07 וּ/מַסֵּכָ֜ה umasekhah HC/Ncfsa and a molten image poured metal image 5
H4541-10 וְ/הַ/מַּסֵּכֽוֹת vehamasekhot HC/Td/Ncfpa and the cast images and the cast-metal images 2
H4541-02 לְ/מַסֵּכָ֖ה lemasekhah HR/Ncfsa to-a-molten-(image) poured-metal image 2
H4541-09 וְ/הַ/מַּסֵּכָ֥ה vehamasekhah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the covering and the cast-metal image 2
H4541-01 הַ/מַּסֵּכָ֑ה hamasekhah HTd/Ncfsa molten image the cast-metal image 2
H4541-05 מַסֵּכ֛וֹת masekhot HNcfpa molten images cast-metal idols 1
H4541-08 וּ/מַסֵּכוֹת֙ umasekhot HC/Ncfpa and molten images and cast-metal images 1
H4541-06 מַסֵּֽכֹתָ/ם֙ masekhotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their-molten-images their cast-images 1
H4541-04 מַסֵּכַ֣ת masekhat HNcfsc of cast image cast-image of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

28 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4541-03 Exodus 32:4 מַסֵּכָ֑ה masekhah HNcfsa molten cast-metal image
H4541-03 Exodus 32:8 מַסֵּכָ֑ה masekhah HNcfsa molten cast-metal image
H4541-03 Exodus 34:17 מַסֵּכָ֖ה masekhah HNcfsa molten [image] cast-metal image
H4541-03 Leviticus 19:4 מַסֵּכָ֔ה masekhah HNcfsa of cast metal cast-metal image
H4541-06 Numbers 33:52 מַסֵּֽכֹתָ/ם֙ masekhotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their-molten-images their cast-images
H4541-03 Deuteronomy 9:12 מַסֵּכָֽה masekhah HNcfsa a molten image cast-metal image
H4541-03 Deuteronomy 9:16 מַסֵּכָ֑ה masekhah HNcfsa molten cast-metal image
H4541-07 Deuteronomy 27:15 וּ/מַסֵּכָ֜ה umasekhah HC/Ncfsa or molten image poured metal image
H4541-07 Judges 17:3 וּ/מַסֵּכָ֔ה umasekhah HC/Ncfsa and a molten image poured metal image
H4541-07 Judges 17:4 וּ/מַסֵּכָ֔ה umasekhah HC/Ncfsa and a molten image poured metal image
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