H4535 H4535
A disputed term, possibly meaning alternating duty, defense, or repulse in a military context
This word appears only in 2 Kings 11:6 in instructions about guarding the temple during Jehoiada's coup. The meaning remains uncertain, with suggestions ranging from 'alternating duty' to 'defense' or 'repulse.' Some ancient versions omit the word entirely, suggesting possible textual corruption. The context involves military guard duty at the temple, so if original, it likely describes either the manner of guarding (alternating shifts) or the purpose (repulsing attackers).
Senses
1. sense 1 — A term of uncertain meaning in a military guard context, possibly indicating alternating duty or defense. Found in 2 Kings 11:6 regarding temple guard arrangements during the coup that made Joash king. The multilingual evidence (alternating, defensa) reflects the interpretive uncertainty. The word may be a textual error, as some ancient versions omit it entirely. 1×
AR["مَنْعًا"]·ben["বাধা"]·DE["alternating"]·EN["alternating"]·FR["alternating"]·heb["מסח"]·HI["मस्साख"]·ID["secara-bergiliran"]·IT["alternating"]·jav["gantosan"]·KO["불시하여"]·PT["defesa"]·RU["оградой"]·ES["defensa"]·SW["mbali"]·TR["sırayla"]·urd["روکنے-کو"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† מַסָּח dub. word., only in וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת־מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַבַּיִת מַסָּ֑ח 2 K 11:6; Thes al. sub √ נסח=for plucking away, i.e. repulse, defense, but very uncertain; prob. textual error; om. 𝔊B We Stap. 354; 𝔊L Μεσσαε.