מַשְׂכִּית (mas.kit)
mas.kit
figure
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun masakit refers to a carved image or idol, specifically one crafted as a display piece. It appears five times in the Old Testament, primarily within Proverbs and Psalms, where it describes objects of worship that are physically made rather than spiritually real. The term emphasizes the artificial nature of these figures, highlighting them as human creations intended for visual admiration.
Its meaning extends beyond mere sculpture to include the concept of imagination or conceit. In Proverbs 6:16 and 15:26, masakit is listed among things the Lord hates, linking the physical idol with the mental pride that creates it. This dual sense suggests that the word captures both the external object of false worship and the internal attitude of self-deception that sustains it.
The root likely relates to seeing or looking, underscoring the visual appeal of idols. Translators often render it as "image" or "idol," but the underlying idea is of a crafted showpiece designed to draw attention. This usage serves as a stark contrast to the invisible God, reminding readers that carved figures are merely human inventions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word masakit points to a carved image or idol, but it carries a deeper warning about the human heart. It describes not just a physical statue, but the conceit and self-deception that create false gods. When we elevate our own ideas above God’s truth, we build mental idols that demand our worship.
Scripture reminds us that these crafted figures are empty compared to the living God. In Proverbs 25:11, a fitting word is like gold in silver settings—beautiful and true. Unlike carved images that fade or deceive, God’s truth remains solid and reliable. We are invited to trust His Word rather than our own limited understanding.
This perspective frees us from the pressure to create perfect versions of ourselves or our faith. Instead, we can rest in the reality that God sees clearly and loves deeply. Our hearts find peace when we stop trying to manufacture worth and simply receive grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ settings of1×
- in/ own imagination/ his1×
- carved images/ their1×
- a carved image1×
- [the] imaginations of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָ֑/ם1×
- מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת1×
- מַשְׂכִּ֗ית1×
- בְּ/מַשְׂכִּיתֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- בְּ/מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 73:7
Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
This verse links the physical idol with the internal pride of conceit, showing how self-exaltation mimics false worship.
-
Proverbs 18:11
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
Here the word describes the rich man’s imagination as a wall, illustrating how pride creates a false sense of security.
-
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
This verse contrasts the fleeting nature of carved images with the enduring beauty of a word spoken at the right time.