מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mish.me.ret)
mish.me.ret
charge
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 60 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun mishmereth refers to a duty, watch, or charge assigned to specific individuals. Derived from a root meaning "to guard," it describes both the act of keeping something safe and the concrete responsibility held by those tasked with that protection. In the Hebrew Bible, this word frequently appears in lists detailing the organization of the tabernacle and temple, marking the precise obligations of priests and Levites.
Its usage spans several related ideas. It can denote the physical watch or station itself, as when guards are posted at a gate. More commonly, it signifies the official function or office one holds, such as the charge of the ark or the service of the porters. The sources highlight its use in Numbers to define the specific roles within the Israelite camp, ensuring that every task had a designated keeper.
A key aspect of mishmereth is its link to observance and law. In passages like Leviticus 18:30 and Deuteronomy 11:1, the word shifts from physical guarding to the moral or ritual keeping of God’s statutes. This connects the idea of protection with faithfulness, suggesting that observing divine commands is a form of safeguarding the covenant community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mishmereth points to a specific duty or charge assigned to protect and preserve what is holy. In the ancient tabernacle, Levites held this responsibility for sacred furniture and the community’s safety. This imagery reminds us that God cares deeply about order, stewardship, and the careful keeping of His gifts.
For your daily life, this concept shifts from physical guarding to faithful obedience. Keeping God’s commandments is not a heavy burden but a way to safeguard your relationship with Him. When you follow His instructions, you are actively preserving the covenant love He has shown you.
Abraham was praised because he kept these requirements (Genesis 26:5). This same call to faithful keeping invites you to trust God’s guidance in your own circumstances. It is an invitation to live with intentionality, knowing that your obedience reflects a heart that values His presence above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 60 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] duty of16×
- for/ keeping3×
- duty/ my3×
- duties/ their3×
- [the] watch of3×
- [the] service of3×
- [the] charge of3×
- post/ my2×
- duties2×
- by/ duties/ their2×
- and/ duty/ their2×
- and/ [the] service of2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת9×
- מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת6×
- מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת6×
- מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙4×
- לְ/מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת4×
- מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣/י2×
- מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗/י2×
- מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗/וֹ2×
- מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת2×
- מִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת2×
- לְ/מִשְׁמָרֽוֹת\׃2×
- מִשְׁמָר֛וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 26:5
because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
This verse highlights Abraham’s comprehensive obedience as the foundation for God’s blessing, showing that keeping God’s requirements is central to a life of faith.
-
Numbers 3:7
They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Here the word defines the Levites’ specific duty to guard the sanctuary, illustrating how assigned responsibilities protect the community’s spiritual integrity.
-
Leviticus 18:30
Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Yahweh your God.’”
This occurrence connects the idea of a charge directly to moral purity, warning that keeping God’s statutes protects the people from defilement.
-
Numbers 9:19
When the cloud stayed on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept Yahweh’s command, and didn’t travel.
The Israelites kept Yahweh’s command by remaining in camp when the cloud stayed, demonstrating that faithful obedience often requires patient waiting.