מַשְׂרֵקָה

𐤌𐤔𐤓𐤒𐤄

Masereqah

H4957 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׂרק to select (grapes), to cultivate choice vine

Definition

Proper Name. Masreqah – a place name, identified as a town or settlement associated with the territory of Edom (Idumaea). The word is etymologically linked to the notion of cultivated vine or choice vineyard, reflecting a possible tradition of viticulture or fertility of the region. However, as a proper name, its lexical meaning does not directly denote a 'vineyard' in context but rather designates a geographic location.

Semantic Range

proper place name; toponym; site characterized by vineyards or fertility; geographically, a town or location in Edomite/Idumaean territory; not used as a common noun in the Hebrew Bible

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root שׂרק (ś-r-q), 'to select grapes,' 'to cultivate choice vines.' The noun form שׂוֹרֵק (sōrēq) refers to a choice vine and vineyard. Masreqah (מַשְׂרֵקָה) is derived from this root with a locative or toponymic ending, yielding the sense of 'place of the choice vine' or 'vineyard locality.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Masreqah appears in Genesis 36:36 and 1 Chronicles 1:47, both within genealogical lists relating to the chiefs of Edom. Its mention situates it within the Edomite/Idumaean region to the south or southeast of ancient Israelite territory. There is no concrete archaeological evidence pinpointing its precise location, but its name suggests association with viticulture or productive land suitable for vineyards. The Septuagint transliterates the name rather than translating its etymological sense. In English Bibles and older sources, 'Masrekah' is often presented without etymological explanation, and sometimes signal a link to 'vineyard.' The word is related in form and origin to שׂוֹרֵק (choice vine), yet, as a proper noun, it functions as a place-name rather than a common noun. The use of a proper name derived from agricultural terminology is consistent with other biblical Semitic toponyms indicating prominent landscape features or cultivated products.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a form for שׂוֹרֵק used denominatively; vineyard; Masrekah, a place in Idumaea; Masrekah.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׂרק (ś-r-q) — to select grapes, to cultivate choice vine

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7796 שׂוֹרֵק Sorek
H8291 שָׂרוּק her choice grapevines
H8305 שְׂרִיקָה combed flax fibers
H8320 שָׂרֻק choice grapes

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4957-01 מִ/מַּשְׂרֵקָֽה mimasereqah HR/Np from Masrekah from Masreqah 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4957-01 Genesis 36:36 מִ/מַּשְׂרֵקָֽה mimasereqah HR/Np from Masrekah from Masreqah
H4957-01 1 Chronicles 1:47 מִ/מַּשְׂרֵקָֽה mimasereqah HR/Np from Masrekah from Masreqah