יָסַךְ
to pour (intransitive)
Definition
The Hebrew verb יָסַךְ (yâçak) means 'to pour,' specifically in an intransitive sense, indicating that something is poured out or flows without a direct object performing the action. Its sole biblical occurrence is in Exodus 30:32, where it describes the sacred anointing oil: 'Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured.' This usage emphasizes the prohibition against applying this holy mixture to ordinary human skin. The verb conveys a sense of a substance being dispensed or flowing, often with a focus on the resulting state or the act of application itself.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Exodus 30:32, within the context of the instructions for the holy anointing oil. It appears in a negative command ('shall it not be poured'), highlighting a strict ritual boundary. The usage is entirely cultic, relating to the consecration of priests and sacred objects, and underscores the separation between the holy and the common.
Etymology
יָסַךְ is a primitive root in Hebrew. It is related to the more common verb נָסַךְ (nâsak, H5258), which also means 'to pour out' but is often used for drink offerings or libations (e.g., Genesis 35:14). The shift in the initial consonant may indicate a slight semantic nuance, with יָסַךְ focusing on the intransitive or passive sense of being poured. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of pouring or casting.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant because it is tied directly to the holiness of God's ordained worship. In Exodus 30:32, the prohibition against pouring the anointing oil on 'man's flesh' reinforces the concept that holiness is not a common or transferable quality but is divinely appointed and must be treated with reverence. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting the careful, God-given boundaries that separated the sacred from the profane in Israel's worship, pointing to God's transcendent purity.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, anointing oils were used to consecrate persons (like kings and priests) and objects for religious service, signifying their dedication to a deity. The specific prohibition in Exodus 30:32 would have been understood as a protective measure, ensuring that the powerful, sanctifying oil—a blend commanded by God—was not misused or treated as a common perfume, which could blur the line between the divine and the human realms.
נָסַךְ (nâsak, H5258) — Often used for pouring out drink offerings or libations to God, typically involving a transitive action. שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — A more general verb for pouring out, often used for liquids like water, blood, or wrath, and can be transitive or intransitive.
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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