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מִשְׁחָה

𐤌𐤔𐤇𐤄

mishchâh

H4888 noun

SILEX Entry

Root משח to anoint, to smear, to consecrate

Definition

A liquid, usually oil, used for anointing, particularly in ritual, ceremonial, or consecratory contexts; refers both to the act of anointing and the substance (often perfumed) applied in such contexts. Used especially for designating persons or objects for a special function or sacred status.

Semantic Range

anointing oil, consecratory oil, oil of anointing, sacred anointing oil, act of anointing, substance used for anointing, ceremonial unction

Root / Etymology

From the root מָשַׁח (mashach), meaning 'to anoint, smear with oil.' מִשְׁחָה is a feminine noun formation indicating the result or medium of the action, i.e., 'anointing oil' or 'anointment.' The root conveys the idea of smearing or spreading a liquid, and by extension, investiture with authority or sanctity through such application.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Across the Hebrew Bible, מִשְׁחָה is most prominently associated with ritual consecration, especially in priestly and royal contexts. In the Torah, it refers to the specially compounded oil prescribed for anointing the tabernacle, its furnishings, the priests (Exodus 30:25-33), and occasionally, the king (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13). The use of מִשְׁחָה both as the act and as the material (anointing oil) reflects the cultural significance of anointing as a means of setting apart persons or objects for divine purpose. In the exilic and later periods, the ritual developed, but the term continued to carry primarily consecratory and ceremonial associations. While some English translations use 'ointment,' the term is more precisely 'anointing oil,' distinct from medicinal or cosmetic unguents (for which other Hebrew terms such as שֵׁמֶן, 'oil,' or רֹקַח, 'perfume,' are used). Later English religious vocabulary (e.g., 'unction') often narrows the semantic scope; the Hebrew term retains a broad ritual application, both in the act and the substance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or מׇשְׁחָה; from מָשַׁח; unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift; (to be) anointed(-ing), ointment.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

משח (m-š-ḥ) — to anoint, to smear, to consecrate

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4473 מִמְשַׁח outspreading of
H4886 מָשַׁח to be anointed
H4887 מְשַׁח anointing oil
H4893 מִשְׁחָת anointing oil of
H4899 מָשִׁיחַ in an anointed one of

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4888-01 הַ/מִּשְׁחָ֔ה hamishechah HTd/Ncfsa of the anointing the anointing oil 16
H4888-04 מִשְׁחַת mishechat HNcfsc anointing anointing oil of 6
H4888-02 לְ/מָשְׁחָ֣ה lemashechah HR/Ncfsa for anointing for anointing oil 2
H4888-03 מָשְׁחָתָ֛/ם mashechatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their-anointing their anointing oil 1
H4888-05 וּ/מִשְׁחַ֣ת umishechat HC/Ncfsc and the portion of the anointing and anointing-oil of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4888-01 Exodus 25:6 הַ/מִּשְׁחָ֔ה hamishechah HTd/Ncfsa of the anointing the anointing oil
H4888-01 Exodus 29:7 הַ/מִּשְׁחָ֔ה hamishechah HTd/Ncfsa of the anointing the anointing oil
H4888-01 Exodus 29:21 הַ/מִּשְׁחָה֒ hamishechah HTd/Ncfsa of the anointing the anointing oil
H4888-02 Exodus 29:29 לְ/מָשְׁחָ֣ה lemashechah HR/Ncfsa for anointing for anointing oil
H4888-04 Exodus 30:25 מִשְׁחַת mishechat HNcfsc anointing anointing oil of
H4888-04 Exodus 30:25 מִשְׁחַת mishechat-2 HNcfsc anointing anointing oil of
H4888-04 Exodus 30:31 מִשְׁחַת mishechat HNcfsc anointing anointing oil of
H4888-01 Exodus 31:11 הַ/מִּשְׁחָ֛ה hamishechah HTd/Ncfsa of the anointing the anointing oil
H4888-01 Exodus 35:8 הַ/מִּשְׁחָ֔ה hamishechah HTd/Ncfsa of the anointing the anointing oil
H4888-01 Exodus 35:15 הַ/מִּשְׁחָ֔ה hamishechah HTd/Ncfsa of anointing the anointing oil
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