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מִשְׁטוֹחַ

𐤌𐤔𐤈𐤅𐤇

mishṭôwach

H4894 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שטח to spread out, to extend, to lay flat

Definition

A place or surface designated or prepared for spreading out something; a spread-out area. Refers concretely to a physical location or surface used for laying out, spreading, or displaying objects such as garments, offerings, or other materials. In biblical contexts, may indicate a platform or open place suitable for such purposes.

Semantic Range

spread-out place, surface prepared for spreading, platform, place for displaying, area for laying out

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁטַח (shataḥ), meaning 'to spread out, extend, stretch.' The nominal derivative mishṭôwach refers to a thing or place that is spread out or used for spreading. The formation with the mem-prefix typically indicates an instrument or location related to the verbal action of the root: thus, 'spreading-place' or 'place for spreading.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The word מִשְׁטוֹחַ occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is contextually linked to ritual or social practices involving the display or arrangement of objects on the ground or a dedicated surface. It is particularly attested in passages describing arrangements in sacred or ceremonial contexts. English translations often use paraphrased terms such as 'spreading-place,' 'surface,' or 'place to spread out.' The meaning remains largely consistent across periods; however, given its rare usage, it is primarily a technical or descriptive term rather than a culturally loaded one. It is distinct from related words like מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan, 'dwelling/tabernacle'), which denote structures or habitations rather than simply areas for spreading objects. Later translations and Jewish interpretive traditions sometimes render it as 'platform' or 'surface,' but always with the nuance of something prepared or designated for spreading.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or מִשְׁטַח; from שָׁטַח; a spreading-place; (to) spread (forth, -ing, upon).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שטח (š-ṭ-ḥ) — to spread out, extend, lay flat

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7849 שָׁטַח to spread out flat

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4894-01 מִשְׁטַ֨ח mishetach HNcmsc a place for spreading spreading-place of 2
H4894-02 מִשְׁט֥וֹחַ mishetocha HNcmsa place-of-spreading spreading-place 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4894-01 Ezekiel 26:5 מִשְׁטַ֨ח mishetach HNcmsc a place for spreading spreading-place of
H4894-01 Ezekiel 26:14 מִשְׁטַ֤ח mishetach HNcmsc place of spreading spreading-place of
H4894-02 Ezekiel 47:10 מִשְׁט֥וֹחַ mishetocha HNcmsa place-of-spreading spreading-place
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