מִשְׁתֶּה (mish.teh)
mish.teh
feast
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun mish.teh designates a feast or banquet, serving as the direct counterpart to the Hebrew word mish.teh (H4960). Although it shares the same root and core meaning, this specific form appears exclusively in the Book of Daniel, reflecting the language shift that occurs in the latter chapters of the text.
The sources highlight its singular occurrence in Daniel 5:10, where it describes the lavish banquet hosted by King Belshazzar. In this context, the word carries significant narrative weight, pointing to a moment of excessive celebration that stands in stark contrast to the impending judgment. The emphasis placed on this single instance underscores how the feast serves not merely as a setting, but as a pivotal element in the story’s tension.
Translators typically render mish.teh as "feast" or "banquet," capturing the sense of a formal, communal meal. Its presence in Daniel illustrates the bilingual nature of the book, where Aramaic sections address the broader imperial context while Hebrew sections often focus on Israel’s specific covenantal history. The word itself remains neutral in tone, describing the event without moral judgment, even as the surrounding narrative frames it with serious consequences.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mish.teh describes a feast or banquet, capturing the atmosphere of communal celebration and shared meals. In Daniel 5:10, it sets the scene for King Belshazzar’s lavish party, where guests drank from sacred vessels in a display of pride and excess. This single occurrence reminds us that social gatherings can reflect our deepest values and priorities.
For your daily life, this word invites reflection on how you use times of rest and fellowship. Whether sharing a simple meal with family or attending a larger community event, these moments offer opportunities to honor God rather than elevate ourselves. The contrast between Belshazzar’s arrogance and the queen’s calm wisdom highlights the importance of humility in our interactions.
May your own gatherings be marked by grace and gratitude, pointing others toward the true source of joy and peace found in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- feast/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׁתְּיָ֖/א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 5:10
The queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house. The queen spoke and said, “O king, live forever; don’t let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed.
This verse introduces the banquet scene where Belshazzar’s prideful celebration contrasts sharply with the impending divine judgment, highlighting the word's narrative role in exposing human arrogance.