מִקְשָׁה (miq.shah)
miq.shah
beating
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun miqshah refers to metal that has been hammered into thin sheets. Its root relates to striking or beating, describing the physical process by which soft metals like gold and silver are flattened for use in sacred objects. In the Hebrew Bible, this term appears exclusively in the context of the tabernacle’s construction, highlighting the craftsmanship involved in creating holy furnishings.
This word occurs eight times, primarily in Exodus and Numbers, where it describes the overlay of the ark, the table, and the lampstand. The sources emphasize that miqshah is not raw ore but finished material, shaped by skilled artisans to cover wooden structures. It signifies the transformation of common metal into something set apart for worship through deliberate, repetitive work.
The term underscores the value placed on beauty and precision in Israel’s worship space. By specifying hammered metal rather than cast or molded forms, the text draws attention to the labor and artistry required to honor God. This detail reflects a broader biblical theme where physical craftsmanship serves as an expression of spiritual devotion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word miqshah describes metal that has been carefully hammered into thin sheets. In the Bible, this term appears only when describing sacred objects like the ark’s cover or the lampstand. It is not raw ore, but material shaped by skilled hands through repeated striking. This process transforms common silver or gold into something set apart for worship.
For your faith, this offers a quiet picture of spiritual formation. Just as metal must endure pressure to become useful and beautiful, our lives are often shaped through seasons of difficulty. These moments do not destroy us; they refine us, making us more responsive to God’s presence. The care taken in the tabernacle shows that God values the details of how we offer ourselves to Him.
When you face challenges today, remember that purposeful work is at the heart of holiness. You are being formed into something beautiful for His glory. This hope rests not on your perfection, but on the One who designs and sustains you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hammered work6×
- [was] hammered work2×
- [will be] hammered work1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִקְשָׁה֙2×
- מִקְשָׁ֥ה2×
- מִקְשָׁ֣ה2×
- מִקְשָׁ֞ה2×
- מִקְשָׁ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 25:18
You shall make two cherubim of hammered gold. You shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.
This verse specifies that the cherubim on the mercy seat were made of hammered gold, highlighting the precision required for the most sacred object in the tabernacle.
-
Numbers 8:4
This was the workmanship of the lamp stand, beaten work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was beaten work. He made the lamp stand according to the pattern which Yahweh had shown Moses.
Here the term describes the entire lampstand as beaten work from base to flowers, emphasizing that every part followed a divine pattern shown to Moses.
-
Exodus 37:22
Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold.
This record of the craftsmen’s work confirms that the branches and buds were one single piece of beaten gold, showing unity in the design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does miqshah mean in the Bible?
Why is hammered metal specified instead of cast metal?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 2 books)
Exodus 6 verses
You shall make two cherubim of hammered gold. You shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.
Exodus 25:31“You shall make a lamp stand of pure gold. The lamp stand shall be made of hammered work. Its base, its shaft, its…
Exodus 25:36Their buds and their branches shall be of one piece with it, all of it one beaten work of pure gold.
Exodus 37:7He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat:
Exodus 37:17He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds,…
Exodus 37:22Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold.