מַשְׁקוֹף (mash.qoph)

mash.qoph

lintel

H4947 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

H:N-M

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 3 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:N-M

Word Overview

The Hebrew word mashqoph refers to the horizontal beam that spans the top of a doorway, commonly known as a lintel. It serves as the structural cap for an entrance, resting on the vertical posts or doorposts. In the ancient Near East, this component was essential for supporting the weight of the wall above the opening while allowing passage through it.

Its usage in Scripture is quite specific, appearing only three times, all within the book of Exodus during the account of the Passover. The term describes the frame of the door where the blood of the lamb was applied. By marking the mashqoph and the two side posts, the Israelites identified their homes as protected from the final plague. This physical detail underscores the importance of the entrance as a boundary between life and death.

Translators typically render mashqoph as "lintel" or "top doorpost." The word highlights the completeness of the marking; protection was not limited to one side but encompassed the entire threshold. This structural element becomes a central image in the Passover narrative, symbolizing a defined space of safety established by obedience.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word mashqoph refers to the lintel, the horizontal beam resting above a doorway. In Exodus, this structural detail marks the boundary of safety during the Passover. The Israelites applied lamb’s blood to the lintel and doorposts, creating a visible sign of obedience that distinguished their homes from those under judgment.

This image reminds us that protection comes through specific acts of faith, not vague hope. The lintel stood as a threshold between danger and deliverance, showing how God honors the steps we take to trust Him. It is a quiet but powerful symbol of divine care meeting human response.

When we face uncertainty, this story invites us to look for the boundaries God provides. Just as the blood marked the home, our lives are covered by grace when we rest in what Christ has done. There is comfort in knowing that safety is found in following His guidance.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

the/ lintels3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

הַ/מַּשְׁקוֹף֙1×
הַ/מַּשְׁק֔וֹף1×
הַ/מַּשְׁק֑וֹף1×

Key Verses

Exodus 12:7
They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two door posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it.

This verse establishes the initial command to mark the lintel, showing that protection begins with a deliberate act of obedience.
Exodus 12:22
You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.

Here the instruction emphasizes using hyssop to apply blood specifically to the lintel, highlighting the physical nature of the sign.
Exodus 12:23
For Yahweh will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Yahweh will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you.

The lintel serves as the visual cue for God’s judgment to pass over, linking the structural element directly to divine mercy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does mashqoph mean in the Bible?

Mashqoph is a Hebrew noun translated as 'lintel' or 'top doorpost.' It refers to the horizontal beam that spans the top of a doorway, supporting the wall above. In Scripture, it appears only in Exodus during the Passover narrative.

Why is the lintel important in Exodus 12?

The lintel was part of the three-point marking (lintel and two doorposts) where Israelites applied lamb’s blood. This sign protected their homes from the final plague, making it central to the Passover story of deliverance.

How is mashqoph different from other words for door?

While other words refer to the entire doorway or gate, mashqoph specifically denotes the horizontal beam at the top. It is a structural component rather than the opening itself, emphasizing the completeness of the marked threshold.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Exodus 3 verses

Exodus 12:7

They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two door posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they…

Exodus 12:22

You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door…

Exodus 12:23

For Yahweh will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door…