מָשׁוֹט
𐤌𐤔𐤅𐤈
mâshôwṭ
H4880 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A tool used for rowing, specifically an oar. In biblical contexts, מָשׁוֹט refers to the implement used to propel and steer watercraft, particularly boats or ships, through manual rowing. The term is used concretely for the physical wooden oar, and by extension, it may convey notions of movement or travel by boat.
Semantic Range
oar; implement for rowing; tool for propelling a boat; maritime equipment
Root / Etymology
Root: שׁוּט (to go about, rove, wander). The word is the noun form deriving from this root, with the instrumental mem- prefix (מִ-, מָ-) indicating a tool associated with the root's action. Thus, מָשׁוֹט is an instrument for movement—an oar, enabling travel or roving on water.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מָשׁוֹט occurs in poetic or prophetic passages concerned with ships or maritime movement (e.g., Ezekiel 27:6). Its use reflects nautical technology in the ancient Near East and indicates familiarity with seafaring, particularly in passages describing Tyre and broader Mediterranean commerce. The term is not used figuratively, nor does it bear symbolic religious significance. English translations (such as 'oar') accurately represent the physical referent but do not always convey the broader context of ancient navigation. The word appears only in later biblical Hebrew and is rare. Unlike related terms for parts of ships (כֵּלִי, כלי שׁוֹט), מָשׁוֹט specifically refers to the implement used for rowing, not for steering (cf. הֵגֶה, 'rudder'). There is no evidence for semantic development beyond its literal, physical sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מִשּׁוֹט; from שׁוּט; an oar; oar.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שוט (sh-w-ṭ) — to travel about, rove, move to and fro
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7750 | שׂוּט | rovers |
| H7751 | שׁוּט | the roaming ones |
| H7752 | שׁוֹט | with the whips |
| H7846 | שֵׂט | turn-asiders |
| H7850 | שֹׁטֵט | and to a roaming-one |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4880-02 |
מִשּׁוֹטָ֑יִ/ךְ | mishotayikhe | HNcmpc/Sp2fs |
your oars | your oars | 1 |
H4880-01 |
מָשׁ֔וֹט | mashot | HNcmsa |
the oar | oar | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4880-02 |
Ezekiel 27:6 | מִשּׁוֹטָ֑יִ/ךְ | mishotayikhe | HNcmpc/Sp2fs |
your oars | your oars |
H4880-01 |
Ezekiel 27:29 | מָשׁ֔וֹט | mashot | HNcmsa |
the oar | oar |