מַשְׁקֶה (mash.qeh)

The Hebrew noun mashqeh refers primarily to a drink or the act of drinking, often in the context of irrigation or water supply. In Genesis 24:14, Rebekah is praised for offering water to Abraham’s servant and his camels, illustrating this basic sense of providing liquid refreshment. The word also denotes the vessels used for serving drinks, linking the substance with the object that carries it.

A more specific usage in the Old Testament designates the office of cupbearer or butler. This was a position of significant trust and proximity to royalty, as seen in Genesis 40:21 where Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and baker. The role involved tasting wine to ensure it was safe, making the mashqeh a key figure in court politics.

The semantic range moves from the physical provision of water or wine to the administrative duty of managing those provisions. Translators typically render it as "cupbearer" when referring to the person and "drink" or "water" when describing the liquid itself. This dual meaning highlights how ancient offices were often defined by the specific services provided to the king.