Lexical Summary massa: Testing, trial, temptation Original Word: מַסַּע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance journeying From naca'; a departure (from striking the tents), i.e. March (not necessarily a single day's travel); by implication, a station (or point of departure) -- journey(-ing). see HEBREW naca' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nasa Definition a pulling up, breaking (camp), setting out, a journey NASB Translation journey (1), journeys (7), order of march (1), set (2), stages (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַסַּע noun [masculine] pulling up, breaking camp, setting out, journey; — absolute ׳מ Numbers 10:2; Deuteronomy 10:11; plural construct מַסְעֵי Numbers 10:28; Numbers 33:1; suffix מַסָּעָיו Genesis 13:3, מַסְעֵיהֶם Exodus 17:1 6t.; — 1. a. pulling up, breaking camp (with accusative מַחֲנֶה; Ges§ 45e, 115d) Numbers 10:2. b. setting out Numbers 10:6, compare Numbers 10:23. 2 station, stage, journey (by stages), ׳וַיֵּלֶךְ לְמ Genesis 13:3 and he went by (according to) his journeyings (compare הלך, p. 231 a above); לְמַסְעֵיהֶם Exodus 17:1; compare Exodus 40:36,38; Numbers 10:12 (all P; all with נָסַע), Numbers 33:1,2("" מוֺצָאֵיהֶם), Numbers 33:2 ("" id.); קוּם לֵךְ לְמַסַּע Deuteronomy 10:11 for journeying (see Dr). Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term מַסַּע denotes the act or stage of “setting out,” a movement from one place to another, usually within a larger pilgrimage. In Scripture it rarely stands alone; it is typically linked to the people of God, the presence of God, and the promises of God. The word therefore embodies more than travel; it is a lived testimony of covenant faithfulness in motion. Distribution in Scripture The term appears twelve times, clustered in key historical moments: once in Genesis, twice in Exodus, eight times in Numbers, and once in Deuteronomy. Each setting contributes a distinct layer to the theology of pilgrimage. 1. Genesis 13:3 Journey Motif in Genesis Genesis 13:3 introduces מַסַּע in the life of Abram: “And he went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had formerly been”. The patriarch’s “journeys” are bound up with the altar he builds and the promise he believes. From the outset, מַסַּע is intertwined with worship and trust rather than mere relocation. Centrality in the Exodus Narrative Exodus frames Israel’s redemption as a succession of מַסַּע: Role in Wilderness Organization Numbers 10 underscores order: silver trumpets signal each מַסַּע (10:2, 10:6). The Levites break camp, tribes marshal in fixed sequence, and the text repeats, “As they set out…” (10:28). Here, מַסַּע reveals God as the strategist of His people, assigning each clan a position and responsibility. Summative Rehearsal in Numbers 33 Numbers 33:1–2 revisits every stage: “At the LORD’s command Moses recorded the stages of their journey” (33:2). Recording each מַסַּע serves liturgical memory; Israel recounts faithfulness before entering Canaan. The list is not mere geography but a litany of grace, discipline, and provision. Instruction for Covenant Renewal in Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 10:11 projects the journey forward: “Go,” said the LORD, “and set out at the head of the people…”. Even after Sinai’s golden-calf breach, God renews mission. מַסַּע becomes a symbol of restored fellowship and renewed mandate. Theological Reflections 1. Guidance: Every occurrence ties movement to divine initiative—cloud, command, or word. Practical Ministry Implications • Spiritual Formation: Congregations can rehearse their own “stages” to recognize divine providence. Related Old and New Testament Themes • Ark Procession (Joshua 3), echoing orderly מַסַּע. מַסַּע therefore threads through Scripture as a tangible reminder that God’s people are a travelling people—guided, protected, and defined by the God who moves among them and leads them home. Forms and Transliterations וּלְמַסַּ֖ע ולמסע לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם לְמַסְעֵיהֶֽם׃ לְמַסַּ֖ע לְמַסָּעָ֔יו למסע למסעיהם למסעיהם׃ למסעיו מַסְעֵ֣י מַסְעֵ֥י מַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם מַסְעֵיהֶֽם׃ מסעי מסעיהם מסעיהם׃ lə·mas·‘ê·hem lə·mas·sa‘ lə·mas·sā·‘āw ləmas‘êhem lemaseiHem lemasSa ləmassa‘ ləmassā‘āw lemassaAv mas‘ê mas‘êhem mas·‘ê mas·‘ê·hem masEi maseiHem ū·lə·mas·sa‘ ulemasSa ūləmassa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 13:3 HEB: וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְמַסָּעָ֔יו מִנֶּ֖גֶב וְעַד־ NAS: He went on his journeys from the Negev KJV: And he went on his journeys from the south INT: went his journeys the Negev far Exodus 17:1 Exodus 40:36 Exodus 40:38 Numbers 10:2 Numbers 10:6 Numbers 10:12 Numbers 10:28 Numbers 33:1 Numbers 33:2 Numbers 33:2 Deuteronomy 10:11 12 Occurrences |