4551. macca'
Lexical Summary
macca': Journey, march, departure

Original Word: מַסָּע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: macca`
Pronunciation: mas-sah'
Phonetic Spelling: (mas-saw')
KJV: before it was brought, dart
Word Origin: [from H5265 (נָסַע - journeyed) in the sense of projecting]

1. a missile (spear or arrow)
2. also a quarry (whence stones are, as it were, ejected)

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 throw (puncture, wound, etc.), Kam Frey, so Buhl13).

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

1 Kings 6:7; Job 41:26

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:
• Sanctity—The house built for the Name of the LORD was to rise in an atmosphere free from the clangor associated with secular labor, highlighting the holiness of the site (Exodus 19:12-13; Psalm 93:5).
• Preparation—Stones perfected off-site point to the preparatory work God performs in believers before ushering them into His presence (1 Peter 2:5).
• Divine Provision—Skill, ingenuity, and tools are gifts from God (Exodus 31:2-5), yet Solomon’s builders submitted their craftsmanship to divine directives, demonstrating that true worship subordinates human achievement to revealed instruction.

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:
• Human Limitation—Job must concede that if no weapon can subdue Leviathan, neither can finite man contend with the Creator who fashioned such a beast (Job 41:10-11).
• Sovereign Power—God alone controls chaos (Psalm 74:14; Isaiah 27:1). The futility of the מַסָּע against Leviathan magnifies divine omnipotence and reinforces the call to trust rather than challenge the Almighty.

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.
2. Divine Sovereignty—Job reminds readers that no matter how sophisticated our “tools,” ultimate mastery belongs to God. Ministry strategies must rely on the Spirit’s power rather than mere technique (Zechariah 4:6).
3. Preparation of Living Stones—Just as quarry work preceded temple assembly, discipleship prepares believers for corporate worship and future glory (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Practical Application

• Guard the atmosphere of corporate worship by removing distractions that elevate human activity above reverence.
• Recognize the limitations of ministry “tools”; prayer and obedience remain indispensable.
• Embrace God’s formative processes, understanding that hidden preparation precedes public usefulness.

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 GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: תָק֑וּם חֲנִ֖ית מַסָּ֣ע וְשִׁרְיָֽה׃
NAS: the spear, the dart or the javelin.
KJV: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
INT: avail the spear the dart the habergeon

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4551
2 Occurrences


mas·sā‘ — 2 Occ.

4550
Top of Page
Top of Page