מִשְׁחָר
dawn
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִשְׁחָר (mishchâr) specifically refers to the 'dawn' or the first light of morning. It denotes the period when the night ends and the day begins, a time of transition and new beginnings. In its sole biblical occurrence in Psalm 110:3, it is used poetically to describe the time of a people's willing dedication to their king. There are no other distinct senses or meanings for this word in the biblical text, as it appears only once.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 110:3. It appears in a royal, prophetic psalm, functioning within a poetic metaphor. The verse states, 'Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.' Here, 'from the womb of the morning' (מִשְׁחַר) poetically depicts the dawn as a source from which fresh, willing followers emerge like dew.
Etymology
מִשְׁחָר (mishchâr) is a noun derived from the root שָׁחַר (shachar, H7836), which means 'to seek early' or 'to look for diligently,' and is also the common word for 'dawn' or 'morning.' The noun form mishchâr emphasizes the concept or time of the dawn itself. It is related to the Akkadian word 'shēru,' also meaning 'morning,' showing a common Semitic linguistic background for this time-of-day vocabulary.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, מִשְׁחָר carries theological weight in its context. In Psalm 110—a messianic psalm cited in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 22:44, Hebrews 1:13)—the 'dawn' imagery is part of a prophecy about the Messiah's reign. The 'womb of the morning' symbolizes a new, divinely initiated era where God's people volunteer freely. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting the poetic connection between the Messiah's victory, the freshness of dawn, and the spontaneous devotion of a renewed people.
In ancient Israelite culture, dawn was a significant daily marker, often associated with hope, renewal, and the end of vulnerability during the night. It was a time for prayer (e.g., Psalm 5:3) and sacrifice. The poetic use in Psalm 110 leverages this cultural understanding of dawn as a time of beginning and fruitful emergence, comparing the rise of loyal followers to the dependable and refreshing appearance of dew at daybreak.
שַׁחַר (shachar, H7837) — The more common and general word for 'dawn' or 'morning,' used frequently (e.g., Genesis 19:15, Psalm 139:9). בֹּקֶר (boqer, H1242) — 'morning,' often referring to the broader morning period or the break of day (e.g., Genesis 1:5). נֶשֶׁף (nesheph, H5399) — Can mean 'twilight' or 'dusk,' the evening counterpart to dawn (e.g., Genesis 49:27, 1 Samuel 30:17).
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.
Full methodology & sources →