The meaning of “מַסֵּכָה”
Understanding maççêkâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
covering, molten (image), vail. - properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image) - by implicat...
מַסֵּכָה
covering, molten (image), vail. - properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image) - by implication, a libation, i.e. league - concretely a coverlet (as if poured out) 1) a pouring, libation, molten metal, cast image, drink offering 1a) libation (with covenant sacrifice) 1b) molten metal, molten image, molten gods 2) web, covering, veil, woven stuff
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 32:8 | “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” Word: מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh) | |
| Numbers 33:52 | “Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:” Word: מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh) | |
| Judges 18:14 | “Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.” Word: מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh) | |
| 2 Kings 17:16 | “And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.” Word: מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh) | |
| Nehemiah 9:18 | “Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;” Word: מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh) |