מַשָּׁא

מַשָּׁא

a loan; by implication, interest on adebt

Definition

The Hebrew noun מַשָּׁא (mashshâʼ) refers to a loan or debt, specifically a financial obligation extended from one party to another. In its biblical usage, it often carries the connotation of interest or usury charged on such a loan, implying a burden or exaction. This dual sense is seen in Nehemiah 5:7, where Nehemiah confronts nobles and officials for exacting 'usury' (מַשָּׁא) from their impoverished fellow Jews, and in Nehemiah 10:31, where the people pledge to forgo demanding 'loans' (מַשָּׁא) with interest from their kin. The term thus encapsulates both the act of lending and the potentially oppressive practice of charging interest.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the post-exilic book of Nehemiah, all three occurrences appearing in the context of social and economic reform (Nehemiah 5:7, 5:10, 10:31). It describes the practice of wealthier Jews imposing loans with interest on their poorer countrymen, a violation of the Mosaic law (e.g., Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36-37). The usage highlights a specific abuse within the community that Nehemiah seeks to rectify, making it a term tied to covenant faithfulness, social justice, and economic ethics among God's people.

Etymology

Derived from the root נָשָׁה (nāshâ, H5383), meaning 'to lend' or 'to be a creditor.' The noun מַשָּׁא is formed from this root and concretely denotes 'that which is lent'—a loan or debt. The semantic development naturally extended to include the interest or charge on that loan, reflecting the financial practices of the time.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects directly to biblical laws governing economic justice and community care. Charging interest (מַשָּׁא) from a fellow Israelite was explicitly forbidden in the Torah (Leviticus 25:36-37), as it exploited need and undermined the covenant community's mutual responsibility. In Nehemiah, its condemnation is a call to renew covenant obedience and social righteousness. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting how financial practices were not merely economic but deeply spiritual acts reflecting one's love for God and neighbor. In ancient Israelite culture, loans were primarily a form of charity or emergency aid for the poor, not a commercial investment. Charging interest from a fellow Israelite was considered exploitative, turning a helping hand into a source of profit from another's distress. This stands in contrast to some modern financial systems where interest is standard. The practice Nehemiah confronted likely involved high rates that led to debt-slavery, a severe social ill the Law sought to prevent. נֶשֶׁךְ (neshek, H5392) — Often translated 'usury' or 'interest,' this term more narrowly and consistently denotes the interest itself, the 'bite' taken from a loan, whereas מַשָּׁא can refer to the loan or the interest. עַבְטִיט (ʿabṭîṭ, H5667) — A pledge or security taken for a loan, a related concept in the lending process.

Word Details