מַסְגֵּר (mas.ger)
mas.ger
locksmith
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun masger carries two distinct meanings that reflect its root idea of enclosing or shutting in. It primarily denotes a craftsman who works with metal, specifically a locksmith or smith who forges bulwarks and locks. This professional role highlights the skill required to secure and protect structures, turning raw material into functional barriers.
Secondarily, masger refers to the physical result of that work: an enclosure, dungeon, or place of confinement. The word appears in contexts describing imprisonment, such as when Jeremiah is held in a guarded courtyard (Jeremiah 32:2) or when kings are confined by their enemies. This dual usage connects the maker of the lock with the space it secures.
Translators often render masger as "prison" or "dungeon" when describing confinement, but retain "smith" or "locksmith" for the artisan. The term appears six times in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Jeremiah and Isaiah, where it underscores themes of both divine judgment through captivity and the tangible reality of being shut away.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word masger connects two very human realities: the skill of the craftsman and the sorrow of confinement. In the ancient world, a locksmith or smith was essential for security, yet these same skilled workers were often taken as captives during times of national crisis. This duality reminds us that our talents are valuable to God, but even our most secure situations can change.
When we read about these craftsmen being led away to Babylon, it is easy to feel a sense of loss or uncertainty. Yet, the biblical narrative does not leave them in despair. The same God who holds the keys to every lock also holds the power to open doors of hope. Even when circumstances feel like a prison, His presence remains with those who trust in Him.
This word invites us to look beyond our immediate surroundings. Whether we are creating or confined, we are known and valued by the Creator. We can find comfort in knowing that no barrier is too strong for God’s purpose, and no situation is beyond His ability to bring about good for those who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ the/ smith2×
- the/ smith[s]1×
- from/ prison1×
- and/ <the>/ smith1×
- a prison1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַסְגֵּ֑ר1×
- מִ/מַּסְגֵּר֙1×
- וְ/הַ/מַּסְגֵּר֙1×
- וְ/הַ/מַּסְגֵּ֖ר1×
- וְ/הַ/מַּסְגֵּ֑ר1×
- הַ/מַּסְגֵּר֙1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 24:14
He carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. No one remained except the poorest people of the land.
This verse highlights the devastating impact of exile by listing craftsmen and smiths among the captives, showing that national strength was stripped away.
-
Isaiah 42:7
to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.
Here the word shifts to its secondary meaning of 'dungeon,' illustrating God’s power to liberate those trapped in darkness and despair.
-
Jeremiah 29:2
(after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem),
This reference places the craftsmen within the broader context of Judah's exile, reminding us that God’s people were present even in foreign lands.