מָשַׁךְ (ma.shakh)
ma.shakh
to draw
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 30 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb mashak carries the core sense of pulling or drawing something toward a point, whether physically or metaphorically. Its meanings range from dragging a cart or lifting someone from a pit to bending a bow for battle. This physical action extends into abstract concepts, such as prolonging time or extending a sound.
A distinctive usage appears in agricultural and military contexts. Farmers "trail" seed by drawing it along the furrows during sowing, while soldiers stretch out their bows before releasing arrows. The word also describes making a long blast on a trumpet, emphasizing the extension of sound over time.
The sources highlight how mashak bridges concrete action and temporal duration. It can mean to defer or postpone an event, or to make something last longer than expected. This versatility allows it to describe both the physical act of drawing water from a well and the spiritual hope that delays but does not vanish.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mashak describes the simple act of drawing or pulling. It appears in stories where people pull others from danger, like Joseph being lifted from a pit, and in moments of divine warning, such as the long blast of a trumpet on Mount Sinai. The verb bridges physical action with spiritual reality, showing how God actively engages with human history.
In our own lives, this word offers comfort when we feel stuck or distant. It reminds us that God is not passive; He draws near to us even when we are far away. When circumstances seem heavy, we can trust that His presence is pulling us toward hope and restoration, just as He drew Israel out of Egypt.
There is also a gentle invitation in this term to respond to that pull. We are called to let go of what holds us back and move toward the King who brings us into His rooms. This drawing is not forceful but inviting, leading us from fear into peace and from isolation into community with other believers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 30 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tall2×
- he drew2×
- you drag away/ me1×
- when/ sounds1×
- when/ drags [him] away/ he1×
- when/ blow1×
- to/ gratify1×
- they will be prolonged1×
- it has dragged1×
- he will follow1×
- he stretched out1×
- draw/ me1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָשַׁ֤ךְ2×
- מְמֻשָּׁ֣ךְ2×
- תִּמְשְׁכֵ֣/נִי1×
- מֹשֵׁ֣ךְ1×
- מֹשְׁכֵ֥י1×
- מֹשְׁכִ֖ים1×
- מֹ֥שְׁכֵי1×
- מָשַׁ֥ךְ1×
- מָשְׁכָ֖ה1×
- מָשְׁכֵ֖/נִי1×
- מִֽשְׁכ֗וּ1×
- מְשַׁכְתִּ֥י/ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 37:28
Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The merchants brought Joseph into Egypt.
This verse shows the physical rescue of Joseph, illustrating how God uses human agents to draw His people out of despair.
-
Exodus 19:13
No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.”
The long blast of the trumpet draws the people’s attention to the holy presence of God on the mountain.
-
Psalms 28:3
Don’t draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.
David asks God not to draw him away with the wicked, highlighting the moral choice to stay close to righteousness.
-
Song of Solomon 1:4
Take me away with you. Let’s hurry. The king has brought me into his rooms. Friends We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will praise your love more than wine! Beloved They are right to love you.
The bride invites the King to draw her closer, expressing a deep desire for intimate relationship and security.