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מַשֹּׂא

𐤌𐤔𐤀

massôʼ

H4856 noun

SILEX Entry

Root נשא to lift, carry, bear, elevate

Definition

Favoritism, partiality, or showing preference (especially in judgment or social interactions), particularly the act or attitude of elevating one party over another. Also used in some contexts to express another's position being lifted or elevated, hence the extension to 'advantage' or 'preference' given, usually regarded negatively or with disapproval.

Semantic Range

partiality, favoritism, preference, showing respect of persons, elevation of status, advantage given, undue regard

Root / Etymology

From the root נָשָׂא (נ-ש-א), meaning 'to lift,' 'to carry,' or 'to bear.' The term מַשֹּׂא is formed as a noun meaning 'lifting' or 'elevation,' and in this context, it takes on a metaphorical sense of 'lifting up the face,' i.e., showing partiality or favoritism.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical law and prophetic writings, מַשֹּׂא typically refers to showing undue favor, especially in a legal or social context, such as a judge displaying preferential treatment to an individual based on status or relationships (Leviticus 19:15, Malachi 2:9). The concept is usually framed negatively in the Hebrew Bible, as an aberration of justice and impartiality. The Hebrew idiom 'lifting up the face' is frequently used in a similar sense. English translations (like 'respect of persons' or 'partiality') sometimes obscure the metaphorical background of the original Hebrew, which emphasizes the action of visibly elevating someone's status or position in a way inconsistent with fairness. Usage is generally consistent throughout the pre-exilic and post-exilic periods. The term should not be confused with מַשָּׂא (H4853), which means 'burden' or 'oracle.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from נָשָׂא; partiality (as a lifting up); respect.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נשא (n-ś-ʾ) — to lift, carry, bear, elevate

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4853 מַשָּׂא in the burden
H4854 מַשָּׂא burden of
H4858 מַשָּׂאָה rising mass
H4859 מַשָּׁאָה loans
H4864 מַשְׂאֵת raised portion

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4856-01 וּ/מַשֹּׂ֥א umaso HC/Ncmsc or partiality and lifting-up-of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4856-01 2 Chronicles 19:7 וּ/מַשֹּׂ֥א umaso HC/Ncmsc or partiality and lifting-up-of
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