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מָשׂוֹשׂ (ma.s.vo.s)

ma.s.vo.s

rejoicing

H4885 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 13 verses

H:N-M

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
13 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-M

Definition

Definition

exultation, joy, rejoicing

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מָשׂוֹשׂ n.m. id. [שָׂשׂוֹן];—exultation

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

exultation, joy, rejoicing

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word for rejoicing, māsōś, describes a deep, resonant gladness that often stands in stark contrast to surrounding sorrow. It is not merely a fleeting smile but a profound state of the heart that acknowledges God’s presence even when circumstances are difficult. This kind of joy is rooted in who God is, rather than what we see around us.

When life feels heavy, this word invites us to look beyond our immediate pain toward the enduring promises of God. It reminds us that true gladness can coexist with mourning, as seen when God calls His people to rejoice even while they weep. This joy is a gift that sustains us through trials.

Ultimately, māsōś points to a hope that outlasts every season of loss. It encourages us to find our deepest satisfaction in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He creates new things and restores what was broken. May you find this steady joy in your own heart today.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • [the] gaiety of3×
  • a joy of2×
  • rejoicing1×
  • joy/ my1×
  • joy1×
  • exultation1×
  • and/ rejoicing1×
  • and/ [the] joy of1×
  • a joy1×
  • [the] joy of1×
  • [is] [the] joy of1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • מְשׂ֥וֹשׂ3×
  • מְשׂ֣וֹשׂ3×
  • מָשׂ֔וֹשׂ2×
  • מָשֽׂוֹשׂ\׃1×
  • מָשׂ֖וֹשׂ1×
  • מְשׂוֹשִֽׂ/י\׃1×
  • מְשׂ֖וֹשׂ1×
  • וּ/מְשׂ֥וֹשׂ1×
  • וּ/מְשׂ֤וֹשׂ1×

Key Verses

  • Isaiah 65:18
    But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem to be a delight, and her people a joy.

    This verse highlights God’s command to rejoice in His new creation, showing that rejoicing is a response to His transformative work.

  • Lamentations 5:15
    The joy of our heart has ceased. Our dance is turned into mourning.

    Here the cessation of joy illustrates the depth of national grief, emphasizing how central this gladness is to Israel’s identity.

  • Isaiah 62:5
    For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

    The comparison of God rejoicing over His people reveals that this joy is reciprocal and rooted in intimate relationship.

  • Job 8:19
    Behold, this is the joy of his way. Out of the earth, others will spring.

    In Job’s context, this joy serves as a warning about the fleeting nature of worldly success compared to enduring faith.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word māsōś mean?

Māsōś refers to rejoicing, gladness, or a deep sense of delight. It is often used in the Old Testament to describe the emotional response to God’s blessings or His presence.

How is māsōś different from general happiness?

While general happiness might depend on circumstances, māsōś often implies a more profound, spiritual gladness that can persist even in difficult times. It is frequently linked to God’s actions rather than human achievements.

Where does this word appear most often?

It appears 13 times in the Hebrew Bible, with significant occurrences in Isaiah and Lamentations. These books use it to contrast joy with mourning or to promise future restoration.

Every Occurrence (13 verses across 4 books)

Job 1 verse
Isaiah 9 verses
Jeremiah 1 verse
Lamentations 2 verses