מְסוּכָה
𐤌𐤎𐤅𐤊𐤄
mᵉçûwkâh
H4534 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A thicket, hedge, or enclosure formed by interlaced or thorny plants, used to enclose or protect a vineyard or field. The term generally denotes a barrier made of natural materials, particularly thorny bushes, and implies both the function of protection and separation. The sense of intentional placement, rather than a wild or naturally occurring thicket, is implied in its use.
Semantic Range
hedge, thicket, enclosure (with interwoven or thorny plants); protective barrier for vineyards or fields
Root / Etymology
From the root סוך (סוּךְ), meaning 'to entwine, to weave, to cover.' The noun מְסוּכָה is derived from the verb and refers to that which is woven or entwined as a barrier, especially in agrarian settings.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מְסוּכָה appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is distinct from other terms for barriers such as גָּדֵר (gader), which usually denotes a stone or constructed wall. The term is primarily agricultural, with attestation in texts such as Isaiah 5:5, where it describes the protective structure around a vineyard. Over time, the word was less commonly used as other terms for enclosures replaced it. English translations often render מְסוּכָה as 'hedge,' but the biblical concept emphasizes a living or interwoven barrier created from plants, often with thorns, rather than a neatly trimmed shrubbery. In later periods, agricultural texts may use different terminology for similar structures. The translation 'thorn hedge' in some traditions reflects the typical use of thorny plants for deterrence against animals or intruders. The term is not associated with later ritual or symbolic uses of barriers; it remains primarily agricultural and practical in biblical contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
for מְשׂוּכָה; a hedge; thorn hedge.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סוך (s-w-k) — entwine, weave, cover, hedge about
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4534-01 |
מִ/מְּסוּכָ֑ה | mimesukhah | HR/Ncfsa |
than a thorn hedge | woven thorn-hedge | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4534-01 |
Micah 7:4 | מִ/מְּסוּכָ֑ה | mimesukhah | HR/Ncfsa |
than a thorn hedge | woven thorn-hedge |