מִמְשָׁק (mim.shaq)
mim.shaq
possession
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mim.shaq refers to a possession or a place that has been taken and held. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Zephaniah 2:9, where it describes the land of Moab as something claimed by God’s people.
Its root relates to grasping or holding onto something, suggesting active occupation rather than passive ownership. The word emphasizes the reality of control and settlement, pointing to a territory that is firmly in hand.
Translators often render it "possession" or "place possessed," highlighting the certainty of the claim. In Zephaniah, this term underscores the divine promise that what God gives will be securely held by those He chooses.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mim.shaq describes more than just property; it signifies a possession that is firmly held and actively occupied. In Zephaniah, this term highlights how God secures what He gives to His people. It suggests stability and certainty, reminding us that our spiritual inheritance is not fleeting but established by divine authority.
When we consider our own lives, this concept offers comfort. The promises God makes are not vague hopes but secure realities. Just as the land was claimed and held, so too are the blessings of faith firmly rooted in God's character. We can rest in the assurance that what belongs to us in Christ is safe.
This understanding encourages us to value our spiritual heritage. It invites us to live with confidence, knowing that our place in God's kingdom is established by His power alone. May this truth bring you peace and a deeper sense of belonging in His family.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a place possessed of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִמְשַׁ֥ק1×
Key Verses
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Zephaniah 2:9
Therefore, as I live, says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, surely Moab will be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, a possession of nettles and salt pits, and a perpetual desolation. The remnant of my people will plunder them, and the survivors of my nation will inherit them.
This verse uses the word to describe Moab as a 'possession' for God's remnant, emphasizing the certainty of divine judgment and the secure transfer of territory to His people.