Hebrew · H4853 · unreviewed

מַשָּׂא

A burden ; specifically, tribute , or (abstractly) porterage ; figuratively, an utterance , chiefly a doom , especially singing ; mental, desire

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

מַשָּׂא H4853
Pronunciation massāʾ

What does מַשָּׂא (massāʾ) mean in the Bible?

מַשָּׂא (massāʾ) is a Hebrew word meaning "a burden ; specifically, tribute , or (abstractly) porterage ; figuratively, an utterance , chiefly a doom , especially singing ; mental, desire". a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire BDB: load Usage: burden, carry away, prophecy, × they set, song, tribute. The term signals the seriousness and divine origin of the message.

Full entry for מַשָּׂא (H4853) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

a burden ; specifically, tribute , or (abstractly) porterage ; figuratively, an utterance , chiefly a doom , especially singing ; mental, desire
Extended definition

Literal weight becomes prophetic weight: burden evolves from physical load to oracular utterance or doom-laden proclamation.

a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire BDB: load Usage: burden, carry away, prophecy, × they set, song, tribute.

Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Why This Word Matters
The term signals the seriousness and divine origin of the message. Isaiah 13:1-8
Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

Showing 8 of 65 occurrences in the biblical text.

Sources