מִשְׁמָר (mish.mar)
mish.mar
custody
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mishmar primarily denotes a place of confinement, such as a prison or guardhouse, but it also refers to the act of keeping watch or maintaining an observance. In the Old Testament, this word appears sixteen times, with significant usage in Genesis, Nehemiah, and 1 Chronicles. Its core meaning revolves around the concept of custody, whether physical detention or vigilant guarding.
The term carries a dual nuance depending on context. It can describe a literal location where prisoners are held, emphasizing restriction and security. Alternatively, it refers to the duty of a guard or the specific shift of watch, highlighting responsibility and alertness. This distinction is visible in texts like Genesis 40:4, where Joseph is placed in the house of the captain of the guard, illustrating the physical aspect of confinement.
A notable feature of mishmar is its application to religious observances, particularly regarding the Sabbath or festivals. In Nehemiah 13:17-19, the word describes the failure to keep the Sabbath holy, linking the idea of guarding a place with the duty of preserving sacred time. This usage underscores that "keeping" involves both protection and faithful adherence to divine instruction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mishmar reminds us that God is intimately aware of our circumstances, even when they feel like confinement. In Genesis, Joseph found himself in a place of custody, yet this was not a place of abandonment. It was a setting where his gifts were refined and his character strengthened for future service. This suggests that seasons of restriction are not signs of divine absence, but often spaces where God is preparing us for what lies ahead.
Beyond physical walls, mishmar also speaks to the spiritual discipline of guarding our inner lives. Proverbs 4:23 urges us to keep our hearts with diligence, recognizing that our thoughts and emotions shape the course of our days. This vigilance is not about living in fear, but about cultivating a faithful awareness of God’s presence. It invites us to trust that He watches over us, just as we are called to watch over what matters most in our walk with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ [the] custody of3×
- guard3×
- in <the>/ custody2×
- division2×
- the/ watch1×
- in/ custody1×
- guarding1×
- custody/ your1×
- custody1×
- at/ guard post/ his1×
- and/ in/ services/ its1×
- a guard1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׁמָֽר\׃3×
- מִשְׁמָ֖ר3×
- בַּ/מִּשְׁמָ֑ר2×
- בְּ/מִשְׁמַ֗ר2×
- מִשְׁמָ֔ר1×
- מִשְׁמַרְ/כֶ֑ם1×
- מִ֭שְׁמָר1×
- וּ/בְ/מִשְׁמָרָֽי/ו\׃1×
- הַ/מִּשְׁמָ֔ר1×
- בְּ/מִשְׁמָר֔/וֹ1×
- בְּ/מִשְׁמָֽר\׃1×
- בְ/מִשְׁמַ֛ר1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 40:3
He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
This verse establishes the physical reality of custody, showing how God placed Joseph in a specific location where he could eventually influence others.
-
Leviticus 24:12
They put him in custody until Yahweh’s will should be declared to them.
Here, custody is held in suspense until God's will is revealed, illustrating that waiting on divine instruction is itself an act of faithful obedience.
-
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
This usage shifts the focus from external confinement to internal vigilance, highlighting the heart as the source of life that requires careful guarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mishmar mean in the Bible?
How is mishmar different from other words for prison?
Why is mishmar used in Proverbs 4:23?
Every Occurrence (16 verses across 8 books)
Genesis 6 verses
He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
Genesis 40:4The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.
Genesis 40:7He asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”
Genesis 41:10Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, with the chief…
Genesis 42:17He put them all together into custody for three days.
Genesis 42:19If you are honest men, then let one of your brothers be bound in your prison; but you go, carry grain for the famine of…