The meaning of “מִשְׁפָּט”
Understanding mishpâṭ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
[phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion,...
מִשְׁפָּט
[phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty - abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 18:25 | “That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Word: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ) | |
| Judges 13:12 | “And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?” Word: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ) | |
| 2 Chronicles 9:8 | “Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.” Word: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ) | |
| Ecclesiastes 8:6 | “Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.” Word: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ) | |
| Hosea 6:5 | “Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.” Word: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Judgment
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Judgment, justice
The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Judgment, decision
The Greek krisis (κρίσις) denotes judgment—evaluation and sentence. All will stand before God's judgment seat (Romans 14:10), and Christ has been appointed Judge of the living and dead (Acts 10:42).