Bible Word Study
מַשְׁקֶה
mashqeh · properly, causing to drink, i.e. a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively
מַשְׁקֶה
properly, causing to drink, i.e. a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַשְׁקֶה (mashqeh) primarily means 'one who causes to drink' or 'cupbearer,' referring to a royal butler who served drinks to a king, as seen in Genesis 40:1-21 with Pharaoh's cupbearer. By extension, it can denote the act of drinking or the drink itself, though this usage is less common. Figuratively, it describes a well-watered or irrigated region, such as the lush plain of the Jordan in Genesis 13:10, emphasizing fertility and abundance.
Biblical Usage
מַשְׁקֶה appears 18 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in Genesis (15 times), especially in the Joseph narrative where it refers to Pharaoh's cupbearer (Genesis 40:1-21). The remaining occurrences are in Nehemiah 1:11, where Nehemiah serves as cupbearer to Artaxerxes, and in Isaiah 65:13, where it metaphorically contrasts the righteous who will 'drink' joy with the wicked. The figurative sense of a 'watered' or fertile land is unique to Genesis 13:10.
Etymology
Derived from the root שָׁקָה (shaqah, H8248), meaning 'to give to drink' or 'to irrigate.' This root conveys the action of providing liquid, often water, to people, animals, or land. מַשְׁקֶה is a noun form indicating an agent (one who causes to drink) or the result of that action, reflecting its semantic range from person to place.
Semantic Range
מַשְׁקֶה highlights themes of divine providence and blessing. In Genesis, Joseph's interaction with the cupbearer leads to his rise to power, showcasing God's sovereignty in human affairs (Genesis 40-41). The figurative use in Genesis 13:10 contrasts the fertile land with barrenness, symbolizing God's provision and the choice between worldly abundance and covenantal promise. Understanding this word enriches readings of stewardship and God's guidance in roles of service. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a cupbearer (מַשְׁקֶה) was a trusted royal official responsible for tasting drinks to ensure safety, often holding high influence, as seen with Nehemiah. This role differed from a mere servant, involving intimacy with the ruler. The term's application to irrigated land reflects an agrarian society's value on water sources for survival, contrasting modern abstract views of land use. שָׁקָה (shaqah, H8248) — the root verb meaning 'to give to drink'; שְׁתִיָּה (shetiyyah, H4960) — a more general term for 'drinking' or 'a drink'; כּוֹס (kos, H3563) — refers to the 'cup' or vessel used for drinking.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]