Original Word: מֶסֹרֶת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: macoreth
Pronunciation: mah-so-reth
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-so'-reth)
KJV: bond
NASB: bond
Word Origin: [from H631 (אָסַר - bound)]

1. a band

bond

From 'acar; a band -- bond.

see HEBREW 'acar

Word Origin
from asar
Definition
bond (of the covenant)
NASB Translation
bond (1).

מָסֹ֫רֶת noun feminine construct הַבְּרִית ׳מ bond of the covenant Ezekiel 20:37 (= מַאֲסֹרֶת; text dubious compare Lag^{GN 1882, 168 f.} M 61; Co reads מוסר, i.e. מוּסָר see below יסר; so ᵑ6).

[מוֺסֵר]

noun masculine^{Isaiah 28:22} band, bond, in poetry & late (= מֹאסֵר; Ethiopic Syriac , compare Assyrian mêsiru, sheathing, plating, e.g. Lyon^{Sargontexte, p. 16, l. 65 & p. 80}) — construct מוֺסַר Job 12:18 (so Di Hoffm and others for מוּסַר); plural מוֺסֵרוֺת Jeremiah 5:5; Jeremiah 27:2; construct מֹסְרוֺת Job 39:5; מוֺסְרֵי Isaiah 52:2; suffix מוֺסֵרָי֑ Psalm 116:16; מוֺסְרוֺתֶיךָ Jeremiah 30:8; מוֺסְרֵיכֶם Isaiah 28:22; מוֺסְרוֺתֵי֑מוֺ Psalm 2:3 etc.; — bands accusative after פִתֵּהַ Job 39:5 restraining-bands of wild ass; Psalm 116:16 bonds of distress; Isaiah 52:2 צַוָּארֵח ׳מ bonds of captivity of Zion, verb Hithpa`el; compare also Job 12:18 מוֺסַר מְלָכִים מִּתֵּחַ (so read, see above & AV RV); Di understands bonds imposed by kings; Hoffm girdles of kings, & reads וַיָּסַר in "", for וַיֶּאְסַר; more often accusative after נִתֵּק Psalm 2:3 bonds imposed by ׳י & his anointed, compare Jeremiah 5:5 & Jeremiah 2:20 (ᵐ5 ᵑ9, see Commentaries); of Yahweh's breaking bonds of Israel Jeremiah 30:8; Nahum 1:13 (last four "" שָׁבַר עֹל), bonds of oppressed Psalm 107:14; ׳יֶחְזְקוּ מ Isaiah 28:22, i.e. bonds imposed by Assyria; compare Jeremiah 27:2 ("" מֹט) literal, symbolic of rule of Nebuchadrezzar.

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 4562, mesoret, denotes “bond” or “binding.” In Scripture it appears once, in Ezekiel 20:37, where the Lord promises to bring Israel into “the bond of the covenant.” Though singular in occurrence, the term gathers a rich cluster of covenant, shepherding, and disciplinary themes that echo throughout both Testaments.

Textual Setting in Ezekiel 20:37

Ezekiel addresses elders who inquire of the Lord during the Babylonian exile. After rehearsing Israel’s rebellious history, the prophet records God’s resolve:

“I will make you pass under the rod and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant” (Ezekiel 20:37).

The verse sits between threats of judgment (verses 33–36) and a promise of purification and restoration (verses 38–44). Mesoret functions as a pivot term, signaling the transition from discipline to renewed relationship.

Image of Passing Under the Rod

• Shepherding Practice: Leviticus 27:32 speaks of passing animals under the rod to count and tithe them. The imagery in Ezekiel pictures the Lord as Shepherd individually inspecting every Israelite.
• Ownership and Selection: The rod marks those who belong to Him. Mesoret thus communicates both covenant claim and the serious accountability that accompanies it (compare Ezekiel 34:11–16).

Covenant Bond and Divine Ownership

Mesoret stresses that covenant is not merely voluntary partnership but a binding union initiated and enforced by God. The exile proved that covenant infidelity brings discipline; the promised bond guarantees future obedience empowered by the Lord Himself (Ezekiel 36:26–27).

Discipline Leading to Restoration

Passing under the rod includes separation of the rebellious (Ezekiel 20:38). The bond therefore embraces:

1. Purging of unfaithfulness.
2. Preservation of a remnant.
3. Preparation for renewed worship “on My holy mountain” (Ezekiel 20:40).

Prophetic Vision of the New Covenant

While rooted in Mosaic terms, Ezekiel’s vision anticipates the “new covenant” of Jeremiah 31:33, where God writes His law on the heart. The bond that once condemned now empowers obedience through inward transformation (compare Hebrews 8:8–12).

Connections to New Testament Teaching

• Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25 – Jesus declares the cup “the new covenant in My blood,” sealing the ultimate mesoret.
• Hebrews 13:20 – The “blood of the eternal covenant” speaks of a bond consummated by the Good Shepherd who “brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus.”
• Ephesians 4:3 – Believers are urged to keep “the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace,” an ethical outworking of the covenant tie forged by Christ.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Discipleship: Covenant membership requires personal examination under the Shepherd’s rod, encouraging accountability within the local church.
• Church Discipline: As in Ezekiel, loving correction protects the purity of the covenant community (Matthew 18:15–17).
• Assurance: God Himself guarantees the bond; true believers rest in His faithfulness even amid refining trials (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
• Missions: The promised gathering of Israel prefigures the ingathering of all nations (Isaiah 49:6; Revelation 7:9), fueling evangelistic zeal.

Key Cross References

Leviticus 27:32; Deuteronomy 7:9; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 34:11–16; Ezekiel 36:26–28; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 8:6–13; Hebrews 13:20; Ephesians 4:3.

בְּמָסֹ֥רֶת במסרת bə·mā·sō·reṯ bemaSoret bəmāsōreṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts