מוֹשָׁב (mo.shav)
mo.shav
seat
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 35 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mošāb literally means a seat or place for sitting, but in Scripture it expands to describe where people live and gather. It covers physical locations like a city’s site (2 Kings 2:19) and the act of dwelling itself. In Leviticus, it frequently appears when listing who is affected by laws, referring to "your dwellings" or places of habitation.
It also carries a social sense, referring to an assembly of those sitting together. Psalm 1:1 uses this imagery to contrast the righteous with those who sit in the seat of scoffers. This usage highlights community and shared presence rather than just empty furniture. The word bridges the gap between a static location and the living community that occupies it.
Its root suggests settling or remaining, which explains why it can mean both the time of dwelling and the inhabitants themselves. Translators often render it as dwelling, habitation, or seat depending on context. This flexibility allows the text to emphasize either the stability of a home or the collective identity of a people in their land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mošāb reminds us that our lives are anchored in specific places and communities. It moves beyond the idea of a simple chair to describe where we dwell, gather, and find stability. Whether it refers to the land promised to Israel or the home where families share meals, this term highlights God’s desire for us to have a secure place to belong.
In our daily walk, this concept invites us to value the spaces we inhabit and the people within them. It suggests that faith is not just a private belief but something lived out in community. By recognizing the significance of our dwellings, we can better appreciate the stability and peace that come from trusting in God’s provision for our lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 35 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dwelling places/ your10×
- dwelling3×
- in/ dwelling places/ their2×
- dwelling/ your2×
- and/ in/ [the] seat of2×
- and/ [the] seating of2×
- to/ dwelling places/ their1×
- to/ a dwelling place1×
- seat/ your1×
- seat/ my1×
- seat/ his1×
- from/ dwelling places/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מוֹשָֽׁב\׃2×
- מוֹשַׁב֙2×
- מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם2×
- מֽוֹשָׁבֶ֔/ךָ2×
- וּ/מוֹשַׁ֣ב2×
- מוֹשָׁבֽ/וֹ\׃\ \ס1×
- מוֹשָׁבָ֖/ם1×
- מוֹשָׁבֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- מוֹשָׁבִֽ/י\׃1×
- מוֹשַׁ֤ב1×
- מוֹשַׁ֣ב1×
- מוֹשְׁבֹתָ֔/ם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 27:39
Isaac his father answered him, “Behold, your dwelling will be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of the sky from above.
This verse uses the term to describe the physical location of blessing, showing how God’s promises are tied to a tangible place of dwelling.
-
Exodus 12:20
You shall eat nothing leavened. In all your habitations you shall eat unleavened bread.’”
Here the word defines the scope of the Passover law, indicating that the protection and commandment apply to every household in Israel.
-
I Samuel 20:25
The king sat on his seat, as at other times, even on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.
The empty seat symbolizes David’s absence from the royal table, highlighting the social rupture caused by Saul’s jealousy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mošāb and other words for home?
Why is this word used in Leviticus?
How does this word relate to our spiritual life?
Every Occurrence (35 verses across 12 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Their dwelling extended from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.
Genesis 27:39Isaac his father answered him, “Behold, your dwelling will be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of the sky…
Genesis 36:43chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their…