מַשְׂכֹּרֶת
wages or a reward
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth) refers specifically to wages, payment, or a reward given for labor or service. It denotes compensation that is earned, such as the wages Jacob earned for his work for Laban (Genesis 29:15, 31:41). In a more figurative sense, it can represent a divine reward or recompense, as seen in Ruth 2:12 where Boaz prays that Ruth receive a full 'reward' from the Lord for her loyalty. The term consistently carries the idea of a deserved return for action, whether in a straightforward employment context or a spiritual one.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in narrative contexts, appearing only in Genesis and Ruth. In Genesis, it is used in the context of Jacob's employment under Laban, referring to the agreed-upon wages for his shepherding work (Genesis 29:15, 31:7, 31:41). In Ruth, the usage shifts to a theological context, where Boaz speaks of God providing a 'reward' to Ruth for her virtuous character and actions (Ruth 2:12). This shows a pattern moving from literal, contractual payment to a metaphor for divine blessing.
Etymology
מַשְׂכֹּרֶת is a feminine noun derived from the root שָׂכַר (śāḵar, H7936), which means 'to hire' or 'to earn wages.' This root is also the source for the common verb for hiring labor. The noun form indicates the concrete result of the hiring action—the payment itself. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian, with similar meanings related to hire or rent, confirming its long-standing association with contractual compensation.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it bridges human economic transactions and divine justice. In its literal sense, it underscores the biblical principle of fair wages and just compensation for work (see Leviticus 19:13). Figuratively, in Ruth 2:12, it introduces the concept that faithful human action is seen and rewarded by God, connecting human loyalty to divine providence. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting how God's economy of blessing is sometimes framed in the familiar terms of earned reward, though ultimately rooted in His grace.
In the ancient Near East, hiring agreements for shepherding or other labor were often verbal or sealed with symbolic acts, as seen in Jacob's story. Wages could be negotiated and were a central part of kinship and economic relationships, especially for a resident alien like Jacob. The term reflects a culture where contractual service for payment was common, but also where blessings from the gods (or God) were sometimes conceptualized as a form of earned divine compensation for piety or loyalty.
שָׂכָר (śāḵār, H7939) — A more general term for wages or payment, often used interchangeably but more common. פְּעֻלָּה (pə‘ullâ, H6468) — Refers to the 'reward' or 'recompense' of one's work, sometimes with a stronger emphasis on the deed itself. גְּמוּל (gəmûl, H1576) — Often means 'dealing' or 'recompense,' typically used for a deserved return, whether good or bad, and can have a more judicial connotation.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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