Hebrew · H4888

מִשְׁחָה

Mišḥâ occurs with anointing oil in the selected instructions for Israel's sanctuary and priesthood. Exodus 30 describes a particular fragrant blend dedicated to the Lord's service, used for furnishings and for Aaron and his sons.

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מִשְׁחָהH4888
Pronunciationmišĕḥāh

What does מִשְׁחָה (mišĕḥāh) mean in the Bible?

Reader summary

Full entry for מִשְׁחָה (H4888) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does מִשְׁחָה (mišĕḥāh) mean in the Bible?

Mišḥâ occurs with anointing oil in the selected instructions for Israel's sanctuary and priesthood. Exodus 30 describes a particular fragrant blend dedicated to the LORD's service, used for furnishings and for Aaron and his sons.

How does the BSB render H4888?

The BSB source-word alignment has 26 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include the anointing (8), anointing (5), for the anointing (3), - (1), and some of the anointing (1).

Where does מִשְׁחָה (mišĕḥāh) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 25:6. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (15), Leviticus (9), Numbers (2).

What This Word Actually Means

Mišḥâ occurs with anointing oil in the selected instructions for Israel's sanctuary and priesthood. Exodus 30 describes a particular fragrant blend dedicated to the Lord's service, used for furnishings and for Aaron and his sons. The instructions regulate its use and forbid treating it as ordinary perfume. The oil's consecrating role comes from God's appointment, not from a general claim that fragrant substances possess spiritual power.

Leviticus 8 narrates Moses carrying out those instructions for the tabernacle and Aaron. Exodus 40 connects anointing with the priests' appointed service. Elsewhere, Leviticus 7:35-36 speaks of the priestly portion in connection with the day of their presentation and anointing; that context should not be forced into the same oil description. Teaching can explain consecration and assigned service without assuming that a modern ceremony grants Aaron's office or places its recipient beyond accountability.

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