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מָשַׁשׁ

𐤌𐤔𐤔

mâshash

H4959 verb

SILEX Entry

Root משש to feel, to grope, to touch in uncertainty

Definition

To feel or sense by means of touch, especially with the hands, typically in situations involving darkness, lack of vision, or uncertainty. The term may refer to the literal action of groping or fumbling about due to inability to see, or it can denote figurative searching or seeking without clear guidance.

Semantic Range

to feel by touch, to grope in darkness or blindness, to search for by fumble, to experience uncertainty or confusion; metaphorical sense of seeking or searching without guidance

Root / Etymology

The root מ-ש-ש (מָשַׁשׁ) is directly related to tactile sensation. The verb מָשַׁשׁ appears in the qal stem and is likely a denominative or onomatopoetic formation, imitating the act of groping with one's hands. The root is evidenced in several Semitic languages with related meanings pertaining to touch or sense. There is no compelling evidence for a non-Semitic etymology; the sense of 'feeling' or 'touching' is primary.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מָשַׁשׁ is found primarily in contexts of disorientation or darkness (Genesis 27:12, Deuteronomy 28:29, Judges 16:26, Job 5:14, Isaiah 59:10), describing individuals groping or fumbling due to an inability to see. This may be used literally (e.g., someone blind or in darkness seeking to find their way by touch) or metaphorically, expressing uncertainty or helplessness (often in poetic or prophetic speech). The action lacks precision and intentionality, emphasizing the state of confusion or searching. The verb is distinct from נגע ('to touch') and משך ('to draw, pull'), focusing particularly on exploration or seeking by touch. English translations like 'grope,' 'feel about,' or 'search' vary; none fully capture the sense of disorientation implied in biblical usage. Over time, the figurative sense (searching in confusion or spiritual blindness) appears in later prophetic and poetic texts.

Translation Consistency

primary "grope" 5 occurrences

mâshash primarily denotes feeling or searching by touch—often in darkness or uncertainty. "Grope" naturally captures the literal sense of fumbling with the hands and the common metaphorical sense of seeking without clear guidance, so it best fits the typical usage across contexts.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"feel" (1x) "felt" (1x) "felt through" (1x) "that may be felt" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to feel of; by implication, to grope; feel, grope, search.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

משש (m-š-š) — to feel, to grope, to touch in uncertainty

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4959-07 יְֽמַשְׁשׁ֥וּ yemasheshu HVpi3mp they grope they grope about they will grope 2
H4959-03 וַ/יְמַשֵּׁ֥שׁ vayemashesh HC/Vpw3ms And he felt/searched and he groped about and he groped about 1
H4959-02 מִשַּׁ֣שְׁתָּ mishasheta HVpp2ms you have felt through you have groped about you have felt through 1
H4959-04 וַ/יְמֻשֵּׁ֑/הוּ vayemushehu HC/Vqw3ms/Sp3ms and he felt him and he groped him and he felt him 1
H4959-08 יְמֻשֵּׁ֨/נִי֙ yemusheni HVqi3ms/Sp1cs he will feel me he will grope me he will feel me 1
H4959-06 יְמַשֵּׁ֤שׁ yemashesh HVpi3ms gropes he gropes about he gropes about 1
H4959-05 וְ/יָמֵ֖שׁ veyamesh HC/Vhi3ms which may be felt he will cause to grope that may be felt 1
H4959-01 מְמַשֵּׁ֣שׁ memashesh HVprmsa groping the one groping about the one groping about 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4959-08 Genesis 27:12 יְמֻשֵּׁ֨/נִי֙ yemusheni HVqi3ms/Sp1cs he will feel me he will grope me he will feel me
H4959-04 Genesis 27:22 וַ/יְמֻשֵּׁ֑/הוּ vayemushehu HC/Vqw3ms/Sp3ms and he felt him and he groped him and he felt him
H4959-03 Genesis 31:34 וַ/יְמַשֵּׁ֥שׁ vayemashesh HC/Vpw3ms And he felt/searched and he groped about and he groped about
H4959-02 Genesis 31:37 מִשַּׁ֣שְׁתָּ mishasheta HVpp2ms you have felt through you have groped about you have felt through
H4959-05 Exodus 10:21 וְ/יָמֵ֖שׁ veyamesh HC/Vhi3ms which may be felt he will cause to grope that may be felt
H4959-01 Deuteronomy 28:29 מְמַשֵּׁ֣שׁ memashesh HVprmsa groping the one groping about the one groping about
H4959-06 Deuteronomy 28:29 יְמַשֵּׁ֤שׁ yemashesh HVpi3ms gropes he gropes about he gropes about
H4959-07 Job 5:14 יְֽמַשְׁשׁ֥וּ yemasheshu HVpi3mp they grope they grope about they will grope
H4959-07 Job 12:25 יְמַֽשְׁשׁוּ yemasheshu HVpi3mp They grope they grope about they will grope
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