מִשְׁעֵן
𐤌𐤔𐤏𐤍
mishʻên
H4937 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A physical object that provides support, such as a staff or something one leans on; by extension, a figurative source of support or protection, such as a person, structure, or institution upon which reliance is placed. The word encompasses both concrete and metaphorical senses—anything that serves as a prop, support, or basis for sustaining or upholding something or someone.
Semantic Range
support (physical object), staff, something to lean upon, prop, figurative support, source of sustenance, protector, something/someone on whom reliance is placed
Root / Etymology
From the root שׁ־ע־ן (שׁען), meaning 'to lean on, support oneself.' The noun מִשְׁעֵן (mishʻên) is formed with the nominal prefix מִ-, common in forming nouns denoting instrument or place, thus meaning 'instrument of support' or 'something for leaning/support.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, מִשְׁעֵן refers both to literal objects such as staffs or supports (cf. 2 Kings 18:21), as well as metaphorically to people or things which are sources of support or security (cf. Isaiah 36:6). The related noun מִשְׁעָן (mishʻān) carries a near-identical meaning and sometimes the two forms are found in variant spellings within the text. The term frequently appears in poetic or prophetic contexts, especially in warnings regarding misplaced trust in foreign alliances, unreliable leaders, or material resources. English translations often render מִשְׁעֵן as 'stay,' 'support,' or 'staff,' but these terms may underrepresent the broader sense of both physical and figurative reliance inherent in the Hebrew. Over time, in later Hebrew, the term is less commonly attested, with the concept expressed by other words or imagery. It is distinct from מַטֶּה (matteh, 'staff, tribe'), which primarily denotes a rod or staff as a symbol of authority rather than simply an object of support.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מִשְׁעָן; from שָׁעַן; a support (concretely), i.e. (figuratively) a protector or sustenance; stay.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שען (š-ʿ-n) — lean on, support oneself, rely
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4937-03 |
מִשְׁעָ֖ן | mishean | HNcmsa |
stay | support-prop | 3 |
H4937-01 |
לְ/מִשְׁעָ֣ן | lemishean | HR/Ncmsa |
for a support | for a support | 1 |
H4937-02 |
מַשְׁעֵ֖ן | masheen | HNcmsa |
stay | support | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4937-03 |
2 Samuel 22:19 | מִשְׁעָ֖ן | mishean | HNcmsa |
support | support-prop |
H4937-02 |
Isaiah 3:1 | מַשְׁעֵ֖ן | masheen | HNcmsa |
stay | support |
H4937-03 |
Isaiah 3:1 | מִשְׁעַן | mishean | HNcmsc |
stay | support-prop |
H4937-03 |
Isaiah 3:1 | מִשְׁעַן | mishean-2 | HNcmsc |
stay | support-prop |
H4937-01 |
Psalms 18:19 | לְ/מִשְׁעָ֣ן | lemishean | HR/Ncmsa |
for a support | for a support |