Lexical Summary miqshah: hammered work Original Word: מִקְשָׁה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beaten out of one piece, work, upright, whole piece Feminine of miqsheh; rounded work, i.e. Moulded by hammering (repousse) -- beaten (out of one piece, work), upright, whole piece. see HEBREW miqsheh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as miqsheh Definition perhaps hammered work NASB Translation hammered work (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מִקְשָׁה noun feminine perhaps hammered work, only of metals (originally turner's work?); — absolute ׳מ, of cherubim in tabernacle Exodus 25:18; Exodus 37:7, lampstand Exodus 25:31,36; Exodus 37:17,22; Numbers 8:4 (twice in verse), clarions Numbers 10:2. — I.׳מֹ see קשׁא. Topical Lexicon Artisan Hammerwork in the Tabernacle Miqshah first appears within the instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, describing metal that is beaten or hammered into a single, seamless piece. The emphasis on one-piece craftsmanship underscores both permanence and purity: no joints, no welds, no admixture—only gold or silver submitted to the craftsman’s mallet until it embodies the pattern Moses saw on the mountain. This “hammered work” required not only skill but also patience, symbolizing the meticulous care with which God’s dwelling among His people was to be prepared (Exodus 25:9, 40). The Cherubim of the Mercy Seat Exodus 25:18 and Exodus 37:7 specify that the two cherubim which overshadowed the atonement cover were formed “of hammered gold”. Fashioned from one piece with the mercy seat itself, they visually declared the inseparability of divine mercy and divine presence. The unbroken gold hinted at the unbroken fellowship God intended to restore through atonement, a reality ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ who is Himself both propitiation and place of meeting (Romans 3:25). The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) Six occurrences of miqshah concern the lampstand (Exodus 25:31, 25:36; Exodus 37:17, 37:22; Numbers 8:4 [twice]). The reads, “The lampstand shall be made of hammered work” (Exodus 25:31). Beaten from a single talent of pure gold, the Menorah’s central shaft and six branches formed an organic unity—buds, calyxes, and blossoms all flowing from the same source. Its daily-trimmed flames represented the perpetual light of revelation (Leviticus 24:2-4), a motif resonating in the New Testament when Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Symbolic Unity and Indivisibility Because miqshah objects were wrought of one piece, they proclaimed unity: Guidance and Worship: The Silver Trumpets Numbers 10:2 records, “Make two trumpets of hammered silver for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out.” When blown by the priests, these miqshah trumpets signaled worship, warfare, and journeying. Their piercing tones reminded Israel that movement and battle were under divine directive; obedience to the sound was obedience to God’s voice (1 Corinthians 14:8). Contrast with Idolatry: Jeremiah’s Cucumber Patch Jeremiah 10:5 employs miqshah in a different sense—“Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak.” The prophet mocks idols as lifeless, immobile fixtures amid a garden. By using the same word that elsewhere describes living, functional objects of worship, Jeremiah exposes the impotence of man-made gods. The living LORD fashions instruments that serve; human craftsmen fashion statues that must be served. Theological Reflections 1. Divine initiative: Every miqshah article originated from a revealed pattern, illustrating the principle that true worship begins with God, not human creativity. Application for Ministry Today • Serve with excellence: Miqshah challenges modern servants to craftsmanship—sermons, music, and acts of mercy shaped by prayerful precision. Forms and Transliterations מִקְשָׁ֖ה מִקְשָׁ֞ה מִקְשָׁ֣ה מִקְשָׁ֥ה מִקְשָׁה֙ מקשה mikShah miq·šāh miqšāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 25:18 HEB: כְּרֻבִ֖ים זָהָ֑ב מִקְשָׁה֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֹתָ֔ם NAS: make them of hammered work at the two KJV: [of] gold, [of] beaten work shalt thou make INT: cherubim of gold of hammered make the two Exodus 25:31 Exodus 25:36 Exodus 37:7 Exodus 37:17 Exodus 37:22 Numbers 8:4 Numbers 8:4 Numbers 10:2 Jeremiah 10:5 10 Occurrences |
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