Hebrew · H4959, G5584 · unreviewed

Mashash

To feel of ; by implication, to grope · to touch

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

מָשַׁשׁ H4959 to feel of ; by implication, to grope
Pronunciation māšaš
Tactile exploration implying uncertainty or blindness; to search by touch when vision fails
Open lexicon entry →
ψηλαφάω G5584 to touch
Pronunciation psēlapháō
Open lexicon entry →

What does mashash (mashash) mean in the Bible?

מָשַׁשׁ · ψηλαφάω is a Hebrew word meaning "to feel about, grope".

Full entry for mashash (H4959, G5584) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to feel about, grope
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action
Imperfect Job 5:14 · Job 12:25 · Deut 28:29
Participle active Deut 28:29
Perfect Gen 31:37
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 5 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Imperfect 3 Participle 1 Perfect 1
Stem
Piel 5
Mood
Indicative/jussive 3 Indicative 1

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Sources