מֵצַח
𐤌𐤑𐤇
mêtsach
H4696 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Forehead; the front part of the head above the eyes. In extended, figurative use, it can denote the quality of being brazen, shameless, or impudent, especially when describing a person's disposition or countenance. In ritual contexts, refers specifically to the area where particular items, such as the priestly gold plate, are worn.
Semantic Range
forehead, brow; figuratively: brazenness, shamelessness, impudence; the prominent part of the face; location for priestly ornaments
Root / Etymology
Root: מצח. While the precise Semitic root is unclear, it probably relates to the idea of being prominent or protruding. The base meaning appears to be 'to project,' which fits the anatomical sense of the word (the part of the face that stands out). However, the root itself is not otherwise attested in Biblical Hebrew, and is treated as 'unused' in standard lexica.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מֵצַח is used both in straightforward anatomical senses (the literal forehead) and in metaphorical applications. Notably, in descriptions of priestly attire (Exodus 28:38), it is the location where the gold plate inscribed with 'Holy to YHWH' is fastened on the high priest. In prophetic and wisdom literature, 'forehead' becomes a symbol of attitude: a 'hard' or 'brazen' forehead connotes stubbornness or shamelessness (Isaiah 48:4, Ezekiel 3:8–9, Jeremiah 3:3). English translations sometimes use 'impudence' or 'shamelessness' in these contexts, but the primary sense is always linked to the physical feature as a visible and prominent part of the body. There is no evidence the term held specialized ethnic or religious meaning in the biblical period; its figurative and literal senses are rooted in Israelite culture and language. Later religious uses, including those concerning phylacteries (tefillin), do not reflect the usage of מֵצַח in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to be clear, i.e. conspicuous; the forehead (as open and prominent); brow, forehead, [phrase] impudent.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מצח (m-ṣ-ḥ) — to project, be prominent, stand out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4697 | מִצְחָה | protruding shin-guard of |
Word Forms
10 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4696-01 |
בְּ/מִצְח֔/וֹ | bemitsecho | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in his forehead | in his forehead | 2 |
H4696-02 |
מֵ֣צַח | metsach | HNcmsc |
forehead | projecting brow of | 2 |
H4696-06 |
מִצְח/וֹ֙ | mitsecho | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his forehead | his forehead | 2 |
H4696-10 |
בְ/מִצְח֜/וֹ | vemitsecho | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
on his forehead | on his forehead | 1 |
H4696-09 |
וּ/מִצְחֲ/ךָ֖ | umitsechakha | HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
and your forehead | and your forehead | 1 |
H4696-08 |
וּ/מֵ֨צַח | umetsach | HC/Ncmsc |
and forehead | and forehead-of | 1 |
H4696-05 |
מִצְחֶ֑/ךָ | mitsechekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your forehead | your forehead | 1 |
H4696-03 |
מִצְחֲ/ךָ֥ | mitsechakha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your forehead | your forehead | 1 |
H4696-07 |
מִצְח֣וֹת | mitsechot | HNcmpc |
foreheads | foreheads of | 1 |
H4696-04 |
מִצְחָֽ/ם | mitsecham | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their forehead | their forehead | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4696-02 |
Exodus 28:38 | מֵ֣צַח | metsach | HNcmsc |
forehead | projecting brow of |
H4696-06 |
Exodus 28:38 | מִצְח/וֹ֙ | mitsecho | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his forehead | his forehead |
H4696-06 |
1 Samuel 17:49 | מִצְח֑/וֹ | mitsecho | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his forehead | his forehead |
H4696-01 |
1 Samuel 17:49 | בְּ/מִצְח֔/וֹ | bemitsecho | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
into his forehead | in his forehead |
H4696-09 |
Isaiah 48:4 | וּ/מִצְחֲ/ךָ֖ | umitsechakha | HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
and your forehead | and your forehead |
H4696-08 |
Jeremiah 3:3 | וּ/מֵ֨צַח | umetsach | HC/Ncmsc |
and forehead | and forehead-of |
H4696-02 |
Ezekiel 3:7 | מֵ֥צַח | metsach | HNcmsa |
forehead | projecting brow of |
H4696-03 |
Ezekiel 3:8 | מִצְחֲ/ךָ֥ | mitsechakha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your forehead | your forehead |
H4696-04 |
Ezekiel 3:8 | מִצְחָֽ/ם | mitsecham | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their forehead | their forehead |
H4696-05 |
Ezekiel 3:9 | מִצְחֶ֑/ךָ | mitsechekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your forehead | your forehead |