מַשְׂטֵמָה

From the study of Hosea 9:7

Range of meaning

Hostility, animosity, persecution. From the root śṭm ('bear a grudge, be hostile toward,' Gen 27:41; 49:23; 50:15), which is closely related to śṭn, the root of śāṭān ('adversary, accuser'). In the Hebrew Bible the noun appears only in Hos 9:7–8.

Against the English

KJV 'hatred'; BSB and WEB 'hostility'; YLT 'hatred.' 'Hostility' fits best: an active, opposing enmity, not just a feeling.

Used elsewhere in the period

In later Jewish writings the word becomes a name. The Dead Sea Scrolls speak of 'the angel of maśṭēmāh' (Damascus Document CD 16:5; War Scroll 1QM 13:11), and Jubilees makes 'Prince Mastema' the leader of the evil spirits (Jub 10:8; 11:5; 17:16). The Septuagint here reads it as 'madness' (mania).

From the study of Hosea 9:8

Range of meaning

A noun from the root שׂטם, 'to bear a grudge, be hostile toward, persecute' (Gen 27:41, Esau's grudge against Jacob; Gen 49:23 the archers who 'harassed' Joseph; Gen 50:15; Ps 55:3). The root is closely related to שׂטן ('to oppose, accuse'), which gives satan, 'adversary'. The noun means active enmity: hostility that persecutes.

Against the English

KJV 'hatred' suggests an inner feeling. BSB, WEB and ESV-type 'hostility/hatred' are close. The Hebrew points to enmity acted out, the kind that sets the traps of the previous clause.

How it drifted

'Hatred' in modern English is mainly an emotion. The Hebrew word covers the behaviour of an adversary.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Hebrew Bible the word occurs only in Hos 9:7–8. In later Jewish literature it became a proper name: in Jubilees (e.g. 10:8; 11:5; 17:16) 'Mastema' is the chief of the evil spirits who accuses and tests, and the Dead Sea Scrolls speak of an 'angel of mastemah' (1QM 13:11; CD 16:5). That development shows how strongly the word connoted adversarial opposition. It does not mean Hosea had a demonic figure in mind.