מָשׁוֹט

an oar

Definition

מָשׁוֹט refers specifically to an oar used for rowing a boat or ship. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes the oars of the Phoenician ships of Tyre (Ezekiel 27:6) and the oars of the sailors on the doomed ships during a metaphorical shipwreck (Ezekiel 27:29). The word consistently denotes the wooden implement used to propel and steer a vessel through water. No other metaphorical or extended meanings are attested in the biblical text.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the book of Ezekiel, within the prophet's extended lament over the city of Tyre (Ezekiel 27). It appears first as part of the description of Tyre's glorious maritime construction, where its planks and oars were made from the finest materials (Ezekiel 27:6). It appears a second time in the depiction of the city's catastrophic fall, where the sailors, shipmasters, and rowers abandon ship, leaving their oars behind (Ezekiel 27:29). The usage is purely literal and tied to the imagery of seafaring and naval disaster.

Etymology

The noun מָשׁוֹט (mashot) is derived from the root שׁוּט (shut, H7751), which means 'to row,' 'to go about,' or 'to roam.' The word is related to the verb for the action of rowing, making it an instrument noun—the tool used for the activity. A variant spelling, מִשּׁוֹט (mishot), is noted in some lexicons.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Near East, oars were essential for the navigation and propulsion of seagoing vessels, especially before the widespread use of sails. Tyre was a renowned Phoenician maritime and trading power, so the mention of its oars in Ezekiel 27:6 highlights its naval craftsmanship and wealth. The image of abandoned oars in Ezekiel 27:29 powerfully conveys utter helplessness and the complete cessation of a ship's function, a vivid metaphor for Tyre's sudden and total collapse.

There are no direct synonyms for 'oar' in Biblical Hebrew. The related action is expressed by the verb שָׁט (shat, H7751) — 'to row'.

Word Details

Scripture References