מִשְׁטָר (H4896) — Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁטָר

𐤌𐤔𐤈𐤓

mishṭâr

H4896 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁטר to write, to record, to order (in the sense of assigning or administering)

Definition

System or sphere of authority, the area or domain within which rule, order, or governance is exercised; often denotes the structured administration or jurisdiction of an official. Occasionally refers more abstractly to the concept of order or regulation.

Semantic Range

jurisdiction, dominion, sphere of authority, domain of rule, system of governance, administrative order

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁטַר (šṭr), meaning 'to write' or 'to record,' and by extension associated with officers or administrators responsible for maintaining records or enforcing orders (שֹׁטֵר, shoter, 'officer'). The noun מִשְׁטָר appears to denote the abstract or concrete manifestation of such administrative or authoritative order. Though linked to the idea of writing or officialdom at the root level, its usage focuses on structured control or jurisdiction.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מִשְׁטָר occurs primarily in poetic and prophetic texts (notably Isaiah 39:2 and 60:17). In Isaiah 39:2, it refers specifically to the sphere of dominion and influence (often of a ruler's possessions or realm), while Isaiah 60:17 employs it as a concrete order or administration that brings peace or righteousness, possibly in contrast to historic forms of governance marked by violence or oppression. The term does not denote 'jurisdiction' in the strictly legalistic or modern sense, but rather the organized system or area of control. The word is relatively rare and should not be confused with שֹׁפֵט (judge/ruler) or מַמְלָכָה (kingdom/realm), which refer to different aspects of governance and authority. English translations as 'dominion,' 'rule,' or 'authority' capture portions of its meaning, but may fail to convey the nuance of its administrative and ordered dimension.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שֹׁטֵר; jurisdiction; dominion.

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Root Family

שׁטר (š-ṭ-r) — to write, to record, to order, to administer

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H4896-01`	מִשְׁטָר֣/וֹ	mishetaro	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	its rule	his sphere of authority	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H4896-01`	Job 38:33	מִשְׁטָר֣/וֹ	mishetaro	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	its rule	his sphere of authority

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