מַשָּׁאָה (mash.sha.ah)
mash.sha.ah
loan
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mashsha’ah refers specifically to a loan made on pledge, distinguishing it from general terms for debt or borrowing. In the biblical text, this word highlights transactions where security is provided, grounding the agreement in tangible reality rather than mere promise.
Its occurrence is rare, appearing only twice in Scripture: once in Deuteronomy 24:6 and again in Proverbs 13:13. In Deuteronomy, it describes items taken as collateral for a loan, emphasizing the legal and ethical boundaries surrounding such exchanges. The word’s limited usage underscores the seriousness of financial commitments in ancient Israelite society.
Translators typically render mashsha’ah as "pledge" or "collateral," reflecting its concrete nature. This precision helps readers grasp how loans functioned within a community that valued both justice and mutual care, ensuring no one suffered undue hardship due to economic arrangements.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mashsha’ah points to a loan secured by a pledge or collateral. In ancient Israel, this was not just a financial transaction but a legal agreement where tangible items served as security. This practice grounded trust in reality rather than mere promise, ensuring that both parties understood the seriousness of their commitment.
For your faith life, this concept reminds us that our relationships and promises carry weight. Just as a pledge provided security in biblical times, our words and actions should offer stability to those around us. When we make commitments, whether financial or personal, we are called to honor them with integrity and care for the well-being of others.
Reflecting on mashsha’ah invites you to consider how your own pledges—whether to God, family, or community—can become sources of trust and security. It challenges us to live in a way that honors the sacredness of our word, fostering environments where people feel safe and valued.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- debts1×
- a loan of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַשָּׁאֽוֹת\׃1×
- מַשַּׁ֣את1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 24:10
When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
This verse establishes ethical boundaries by prohibiting entry into a neighbor's home to seize collateral, protecting the dignity of those in financial need.
-
Proverbs 22:26
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
The warning against becoming collateral for debts highlights the wisdom of avoiding entanglements that could jeopardize another’s security or freedom.