מְזִמָּה (me.zim.mah)
me.zim.mah
plot
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mezmah refers to a plan or scheme, often with a negative connotation of deceitful plotting. In the Old Testament, it describes the calculated intentions of those who seek harm through cunning rather than open conflict. The word appears frequently in wisdom literature and prophetic books, highlighting the contrast between righteous simplicity and malicious strategy.
Its usage ranges from general "purpose" or "discretion" to specific "devices" intended for evil. For instance, Proverbs 6:14 links mezmah with a wicked person who spreads strife through twisted words, while Psalm 37:12 describes the wicked plotting against the righteous. Jeremiah 6:11 uses it to depict the accumulated anger of God against those who devise schemes against Him.
The term underscores the biblical view that hidden agendas are visible to God. Unlike open disagreement, mezmah implies a secret or insidious intent to undermine others. Translators often render it as "plot" or "scheme," capturing the element of deception inherent in its meaning. This word serves as a warning against the destructive power of calculated malice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mezmah describes a plan formed with hidden intent, often to cause harm or deceive. It highlights the difference between open honesty and secret scheming. In our daily lives, we encounter situations where people might try to manipulate outcomes behind closed doors. This term reminds us that such actions are not invisible to God.
While it is natural to feel anxious when facing opposition, this word offers a quiet comfort. We do not need to fight every hidden agenda with our own strategies. Scripture assures us that God sees the heart and judges with perfect fairness. Trusting in His sovereignty allows us to rest instead of worrying about those who devise plots against us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- discretion3×
- plots2×
- evil devices2×
- and/ discretion2×
- [the] purposes of2×
- to/ wickedness1×
- thoughts/ his1×
- purpose/ his1×
- by/ schemes1×
- and/ [the] schemes1×
- a purpose1×
- <the>/ plan/ <towards>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְזִמּ֣וֹת4×
- וּ/מְזִמָּֽה\׃2×
- מְזִמּוֹתָֽי/ו\׃1×
- מְזִמּֽוֹת\׃1×
- מְזִמָּת֖/וֹ1×
- מְזִמָּֽה\׃1×
- מְזִמּ֥וֹת1×
- מְזִמּ֑וֹת1×
- מְ֭זִמָּה1×
- מְ֝זִמּ֗וֹת1×
- לִ/מְזִמָּ֑ה1×
- וּ֝/מְזִמּ֗וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 37:7
Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
This verse directly addresses the emotional weight of seeing others succeed through wicked plots, urging patience in God rather than reactive anger.
-
Proverbs 12:2
A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
Here the term contrasts a righteous person with one who holds wicked plans, showing that God approves of integrity over cunning schemes.
-
Job 21:27
“Behold, I know your thoughts, the plans with which you would wrong me.
Job uses this word to describe the calculated thoughts of his friends, illustrating how even well-intentioned counsel can become a harmful plot if it lacks truth.