מִשְׁרָה (mish.rah)
mish.rah
juice
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mishrah appears only once in the Old Testament, specifically in Numbers 6:3. It refers simply to the juice or liquid extract of a grape. In this context, it is used to describe the substance from which wine is made, distinguishing the raw fluid from the fermented product.
This single occurrence highlights a precise legal distinction within the Nazirite vow. The text prohibits consuming mishrah, along with fresh grapes and dried raisins. By naming the juice specifically, the law emphasizes that the restriction covers the entire grape in every form, not just the final alcoholic beverage. This ensures a complete separation from any part of the fruit.
The word’s rarity underscores its specific function here. It does not carry broader metaphorical weight elsewhere in Scripture but serves as a concrete term for dietary purity. Its presence in the priestly code illustrates how detailed regulations were applied to maintain ritual holiness through tangible, physical boundaries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Numbers 6:3, the Nazirite vow included a strict prohibition against consuming mishrah, the fresh juice of grapes. This term highlights that the separation from wine was not just about avoiding intoxication, but involved rejecting the raw material itself. For the one taking this temporary vow, every part of the grape—fresh, dried, or pressed into juice—was off-limits.
While most Christians are not bound by Nazirite vows, this word reminds us that holiness often involves clear boundaries. God’s instructions to His people were designed to keep them distinct and focused on Him. By avoiding even the potential source of wine, the Nazirite demonstrated a total commitment to their sacred role.
This level of detail shows how seriously God takes our dedication to Him. It invites us to consider what might distract us from our spiritual focus today. Just as the Nazirite avoided the grape’s juice, we can look for ways to remove anything that pulls our hearts away from full devotion to Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- juice of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׁרַ֤ת1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 6:3
he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried.
This verse explicitly lists mishrah alongside wine and vinegar to show that the Nazirite restriction covered every form of the grape, not just fermented products.