מוּשׁ

מוּשׁ

to touch

Definition

The Hebrew verb מוּשׁ (mûwsh) means 'to touch' or 'to feel' in a physical sense. It describes the act of making physical contact, often with the hands, to perceive or manipulate an object. In Genesis 27:21, Isaac tells Jacob, 'Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel (mûwsh) thee, my son,' using touch to identify him. In Judges 16:26, Samson asks the boy leading him to 'let me feel (mûwsh) the pillars,' indicating a deliberate, exploratory touch. The sense extends to handling or grasping, as seen in Psalm 115:7, which states of idols, 'neither speak they through their throat,' implying they cannot physically feel or handle anything.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only three times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative (Genesis, Judges) and poetic (Psalms) contexts. It consistently describes a deliberate, intentional act of physical touching or feeling. In Genesis 27:21, it is used in a personal, sensory context (Isaac feeling Jacob). In Judges 16:26, it describes a tactical, exploratory touch (Samson feeling the pillars). In Psalm 115:7, it is used in a polemical comparison to highlight the lifelessness of idols, which cannot feel or handle.

Etymology

מוּשׁ (mûwsh) is considered a primitive root in Hebrew. Its core meaning of 'to touch' or 'feel' is fundamental. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, share similar meanings related to touching or feeling, suggesting an ancient, common semantic root for physical contact.

Semantic Range

While primarily a physical verb, its use in Psalm 115:7 gives it a minor theological dimension. It is employed to contrast the living God, who acts and perceives, with dead idols who cannot even perform the basic physical act of feeling (mûwsh). This underscores the biblical theme of God's active, living nature versus the impotence of man-made objects. In the ancient Near Eastern context, touch was a crucial means of verification and interaction, especially in situations where sight was impaired or unreliable (as with Isaac in Genesis 27). The act of 'feeling' pillars, as Samson did, would have been a common method for assessing stability and structure before an action. The critique in Psalm 115 reflects a common Israelite polemic against the inert idols of surrounding cultures. נָגַע (nāgaʿ, H5060) — a more common and broader term for 'to touch,' often implying contact that can transfer a quality (like holiness or impurity) or cause an effect. מָשַׁשׁ (māshash, H4959) — also means 'to feel' or 'grope,' often used for searching by touch in darkness or uncertainty (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:29).

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