Lexical Summary mush: feel Original Word: מוּשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance feel, handle A primitive root; to touch -- feel, handle. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to feel NASB Translation feel (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. [מוּשׁ] verb feel (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic  , מוּשׁ id.; secondary form of משׁשׁ q. v.); — Qal Imperfect1singular suffix וַאֲֻמשְׁךָ Genesis 27:21 draw near that I may feel thee. Hiph`il Imperfect3masculine plural וְלֹא יִמִישׁוּן יְדֵיהֶם Psalm 115:7 as for their hands, they do not feel (of idols; "" דַגְלֵיהֶם וְלֹא יְהַלּ֑בוּ); Imperative suffix וַהֲמִישֵׁנִי Judges 16:26 Qr (Kt והימשׁני, see ימשׁ), but read וַהֲּמִשֵּׁנִי, see משׁשׁ. מוֺשָׁב see ישׁב. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope of the Verb מוּשׁ (mush) expresses physical contact that verifies, tests, or senses. Both canonical occurrences highlight the human desire or inability to confirm reality through touch. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Genesis 27:21 Narrative Context: Genesis 27:21 In the pivotal blessing scene, Isaac—blind and cautious—summons Jacob: “Please come closer so that I can feel you, my son. Are you really my son Esau or not?” (Genesis 27:21). Touch becomes the criterion by which the patriarch seeks certainty. The verb serves the narrative tension of deception versus discernment. Though Isaac’s tactile test fails, the episode underscores the limits of human perception and the sovereignty of God’s redemptive purposes, for the blessing ultimately follows divine election rather than sensory proof. Poetic Context: Psalm 115:7 The psalmist derides idols: “They have hands but cannot feel, feet but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats” (Psalm 115:7). Here mush is ironically absent from lifeless gods. True deity is distinguished from idols by sentience; the Living God both perceives and acts, while handmade images cannot even perform the most elemental sensory function. Theological Themes • Reliability of Sensory Evidence Genesis 27 reveals touch as an unreliable guide when separated from spiritual insight. By contrast, faith anchored in revelation transcends the senses (2 Corinthians 5:7). • Living God versus Lifeless Idols Psalm 115 contrasts Yahweh’s active awareness with idols’ impotence. The inability to “feel” epitomizes their deadness, reinforcing monotheistic exclusivity and calling worshipers to wholehearted trust in the Lord alone. • Divine Accommodation God often stoops to human limitations, allowing tangible signs—whether fleece, staff, or tabernacle—to nurture faith. Yet the text warns against substituting sensory tokens for obedience. Christological Reflections The Incarnation meets humanity’s longing for tangible assurance: “See My hands and My feet… touch Me and see” (Luke 24:39). In Jesus Christ the eternal Word becomes palpably accessible, reversing the distrust found in Genesis 27 and fulfilling what idols could never provide. Practical and Ministry Applications • Discernment Believers must test purported truth claims by Scripture and the Spirit rather than surface impressions, echoing Isaac’s misjudgment. • Apologetics Psalm 115 equips evangelism among materialistic cultures: objects of devotion may possess form, but only the Creator possesses perception. • Pastoral Care The verb invites ministries of compassionate touch—laying on of hands in prayer, helping the oppressed—demonstrating that God both feels and enables His people to feel. Devotional Implications Meditating on mush directs hearts toward the God who truly “knows our frame” (Psalm 103:14) and invites intimate fellowship. As John testifies, “our hands have touched” the Word of life (1 John 1:1). The believer lives assured that divine presence is more certain than any physical proof, yet graciously near enough to be experienced. Forms and Transliterations וַאֲמֻֽשְׁךָ֖ ואמשך יְמִישׁ֗וּן ימישון vaamushCha wa’ămušḵā wa·’ă·muš·ḵā yə·mî·šūn yemiShun yəmîšūnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 27:21 HEB: גְּשָׁה־ נָּ֥א וַאֲמֻֽשְׁךָ֖ בְּנִ֑י הַֽאַתָּ֥ה NAS: come close, that I may feel you, my son, KJV: Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, INT: come Please may feel my son you Psalm 115:7 2 Occurrences |
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