Hebrew word · H4473

מִמְשַׁח

mishach

expanded

It occurs only here, so its meaning cannot be checked against other uses. Option 1: from māšaḥ "to anoint/smear", hence "anointing" or "anointed". Option 2: from a root meaning "extend, measure, spread", hence "expanse" or "outspread (of wings)". Strong's defines it as "outspread (i.e.

Appears once in the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) anointed, expansion

1a) meaning uncertain

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Ezekiel 28:14

Range of meaning

It occurs only here, so its meaning cannot be checked against other uses. Option 1: from māšaḥ "to anoint/smear", hence "anointing" or "anointed". Option 2: from a root meaning "extend, measure, spread", hence "expanse" or "outspread (of wings)". Strong's defines it as "outspread (i.e. with outstretched wings)". BDB gives "expansion" with a question mark and discusses emending it. HALOT lists it as uncertain.

Against the English

KJV, BSB, ESV, NASB and NIV all say "anointed", which sounds settled. It is not. The Vulgate's extentus ("stretched out") and Strong's both point to outspread wings.

How it drifted

The "anointed" reading drew strength from the familiar māšaḥ/māšîaḥ ("messiah") family. Once the passage was read as being about Satan, "anointed" was heard as a heavenly office or spiritual empowerment.

Used elsewhere in the period

There is no other biblical use. The Septuagint has no clear equivalent. The Vulgate has cherub extentus et protegens, "a cherub stretched out and protecting". If "anointed" is right, the closest parallel is the anointing of kings and priests, and of the tabernacle furniture including the ark (Exod 30:26; 40:9), which fits the sanctuary imagery.

Where it appears

Ezekiel · 1

  1. Ezekiel 28:14 מִמְשַׁ֖ח expansion

    You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

    Here: A word found only here. It is traditionally linked to māšaḥ, "anoint" (hence "anointed cherub"). Strong's, the Vulgate (extentus, "stretched out") and the supplied data take it as "expanse, outspreading", which would describe a cherub with wings spread wide.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.