מְשׂוּרָה (me.su.rah)
me.su.rah
capacity
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 mesurah denotes a specific measure or capacity, particularly when referring to liquids like water. In the biblical text, it functions as a unit of volume, grounding abstract concepts in tangible, physical reality.
This word appears only twice in Scripture, both within the context of ritual purity and temple service. It is used in Leviticus 14:10 and 1 Chronicles 23:29 to specify the precise amount of water required for offerings or preparations. These occurrences highlight how ancient Israelite worship relied on exact standards rather than approximate estimates.
By using a term that implies a fixed capacity, the text emphasizes order and precision in religious practice. The consistent use of mesurah in these limited passages suggests that maintaining correct measurements was essential to the integrity of the ceremonies described.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mesurah points to a fixed measure or capacity, often used for liquids in ancient Israel. It appears only twice in Scripture, specifically regarding temple offerings and ritual preparations. This precision shows that worship was not about vague feelings but concrete obedience.
In Leviticus 19:35, the call for honest measures extends beyond trade into how we treat others. God desires fairness in every interaction, ensuring no one is shortchanged. When we apply this to our lives, it reminds us that integrity matters in small details as much as large decisions.
Similarly, 1 Chronicles 23:29 lists mesurah among the duties for preparing offerings. These tasks required exactness, reflecting a heart that values order and reverence. For you today, this invites a gentle reminder to approach your daily responsibilities with care and attention to detail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- measurement1×
- and/ in <the>/ volume1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְשׂוּרָ֖ה1×
- וּ/בַ/מְּשׂוּרָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 19:35
“‘You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity.
This verse connects the concept of fixed measures to ethical behavior, showing that honesty in business is a form of worship.
-
I Chronicles 23:29
for the show bread also, and for the fine flour for a meal offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked in the pan, or of that which is soaked, and for all measurements of quantity and size;
Here the word appears in a list of temple duties, highlighting the importance of precision in preparing sacred offerings.