Lexical Summary macca': Journey, march, departure Original Word: מַסָּע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance before it was brought, dart From naca' in the sense of projecting; a missile (spear or arrow); also a quarry (whence stones are, as it were, ejected) -- before it was brought, dart. see HEBREW naca' Brown-Driver-Briggs I. מַסֶּע noun [masculine] quarry or quarrying; — only absolute as adverb accusative, אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה מַסָּע 1 Kings 6:7 stone perfect (at the) quarry (or at quarrying, i.e. when it was quarried; compare Benz; text dubious). II. נסע (√ of following; possibly Arabic II. מַסָּע missile, dart; — only absolute Job 41:18 (+ חֲנִית, שִׁרְיָה). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Range of Usage מַסָּע denotes a crafted implement fashioned from metal for either construction or combat. The term can describe a shaping tool such as a chisel, or a missile-type weapon such as a dart or javelin. Although its lexical root is associated with “moving” or “driving,” Scripture applies the word only twice, each time emphasizing the work of human hands in contrast to the sovereign power of God. Occurrences Context in Temple Construction (1 Kings 6:7) “The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.” Here מַסָּע functions as a generic term for any iron implement employed in stone-work. The silence mandated on the temple mount underscores several truths: Context in the Poetry of Job (Job 41:26) “The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does spear or dart or arrow.” Here מַסָּע appears in the catalog of ineffective weapons hurled against Leviathan. The creature’s impenetrable hide renders even the finest human armaments useless, illustrating: Historical Background Iron technology reached an advanced stage in Israel by the tenth century B.C. (1 Samuel 13:19-20). Artisans possessed a spectrum of iron tools for quarrying and shaping limestone blocks, while armies refined iron-tipped projectiles for warfare. The two biblical settings capture this dual usage, situating מַסָּע within both peaceful craftsmanship and military armament. Theological and Ministry Reflections 1. Worship and Work—The absence of מַסָּע at the temple site invites believers to examine whether their ministries promote an environment that honors God’s presence above human noise and display. Practical Application • Guard the atmosphere of corporate worship by removing distractions that elevate human activity above reverence. Summary מַסָּע serves as a reminder that every human implement—whether chisel or dart—finds its significance only in submission to God’s purposes. In the quiet temple construction and the futile assault on Leviathan, Scripture testifies that true strength and holiness flow from the LORD alone. Forms and Transliterations מַסָּ֖ע מַסָּ֣ע מסע mas·sā‘ masSa massā‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 6:7 HEB: אֶֽבֶן־ שְׁלֵמָ֥ה מַסָּ֖ע נִבְנָ֑ה וּמַקָּב֤וֹת NAS: prepared at the quarry, and there was neither KJV: made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer INT: of stone prepared the quarry was built hammer Job 41:26 2 Occurrences |