מוֹשְׁכָה
𐤌𐤅𐤔𐤊𐤄
môwshᵉkâh
H4189 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A cord or band, especially as something used to draw, pull, or bind; by extension, a figurative means of attracting, binding, or leading. In its primary sense, refers to a physical cord or band, particularly one used for drawing or leading animals, or for tethering objects; in figurative contexts, denotes means or instruments of attraction, influence, or constraint.
Semantic Range
cord, band, rope used for drawing or leading; figurative means of drawing, influencing, attracting, binding
Root / Etymology
From the root משך (m-sh-k), meaning 'to draw, pull, drag, extend'. מוֹשְׁכָה (môwshᵉkâh) is the feminine active participle formation, nominalized to indicate 'a thing that draws (i.e., a cord, band)'. The semantic development is from the concrete action of pulling or drawing (with a cord) to the concrete object (the cord or band itself), and potentially figuratively to anything that exerts a drawing or binding force.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מוֹשְׁכָה occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible. Its attested usage is notably in Hosea 11:4, where it is used in the plural (מוֹשְׁכוֹת, 'cords, bands') within a metaphor describing YHWH's compassionate relationship to Israel. The image is one of gentle guidance or restraint, not forceful control. In biblical contexts, מוֹשְׁכָה always seems to refer to a tangible means of drawing or leading, often connected to animal husbandry. The broader semantic range (including figurative uses for influence or affection) emerges clearly from the context in Hosea but is not a common extension elsewhere in the Tanakh. In later Hebrew, the word continues to denote a cord or means of attraction, sometimes with more explicit metaphorical value. Standard English translations (such as 'cord', 'band', or 'rope') often do not convey the nuance of the word as a means of gentle guidance or affectionate influence, as opposed to harsh restraint. Contrasts with similar words such as עֲבוֹת (avot, usually 'thick cord, bands') or חֶבֶל (chevel, 'rope, measuring line'), which may refer to different materials or uses, and typically do not carry the same connotation of gentle drawing or guiding. There is no connection to the later English term 'Jew'; translations using 'bands of love' in Hosea reflect the contextual metaphor, not a technical lexical meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
act participle feminine of מָשַׁךְ; something drawing, i.e. (figuratively) a cord; band.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
משך (m-š-k) — to draw, pull, drag, extend
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4900 | מָשַׁךְ | in his drawing |
| H4901 | מֶשֶׁךְ | and acquired-possession |
| H4902 | מֶשֶׁךְ | Meshek |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4189-01 |
מֹשְׁכ֖וֹת | moshekhot | HNcfpc |
the cords | drawing-cords of | cords of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4189-01 |
Job 38:31 | מֹשְׁכ֖וֹת | moshekhot | HNcfpc |
the cords | drawing-cords of | cords of |