מְשׂוּכָה
a hedge
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְשׂוּכָה (mᵉsûwkâh) refers to a hedge, fence, or wall, typically made of thorny plants, which served as a protective barrier around a vineyard or field. In Proverbs 15:19, it is used metaphorically to describe the 'path of the upright' as being 'like a hedge,' implying a clear, protected, and obstacle-free way of life. In Isaiah 5:5, the word appears in God's judgment speech against Judah, where He declares He will remove its hedge, leaving it vulnerable to destruction and wild growth, symbolizing the removal of divine protection.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in wisdom and prophetic literature. In Proverbs 15:19, it is used in a positive, proverbial sense to illustrate security and order. In Isaiah 5:5, it is used in a negative, judicial context as part of a metaphor for God's coming judgment on His unfruitful vineyard (Judah). The pattern shows it can symbolize either protective blessing or its terrifying removal.
Etymology
Derived from the root שׂוּךְ (sûk, H7753), meaning 'to hedge or fence up' or 'to interweave.' This root conveys the idea of weaving branches or thorns together to form a barrier. The noun form מְשׂוּכָה specifically denotes the resulting structure—a woven hedge.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly illustrates the biblical concept of God's protective care and the consequences of covenant disobedience. In Isaiah 5:5, the removal of the hedge is a powerful image of God withdrawing His guardianship from Israel due to their sin, leading to exposure and ruin. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of both passages, highlighting that divine protection is a gracious gift, not an automatic right, and its absence signifies severe judgment.
In ancient Israel, a hedge or thorn fence was a common, practical means of protecting a vineyard from animals and trespassers. It was a vital part of agricultural life. The metaphor would have been immediately understood by the original audience: a secure hedge meant a fruitful, safe harvest, while a broken or removed hedge meant vulnerability, loss, and chaos.
גָּדֵר (gâdêr, H1447) — a more general term for a wall or stone fence. שַׂעַר (śaʿar, H8178) — often refers to a gate or opening, the point of access through a barrier.
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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