Lexical Summary mashshaq: Cupbearer Original Word: מַשָּׁק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance running to and fro From shaqaq; a traversing, i.e. Rapid motion -- running to and fro. see HEBREW shaqaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shaqaq Definition a running, rushing NASB Translation rushing about (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מַשָׁק] noun [masculine] running, rushing; — construct מַשַּׁק Isaiah 33:4, of locusts. שׁקר (√ of following; deceive; Aramaic שְׁקַר deceive, also noun deceit, Topical Lexicon Overview מַשָּׁק appears once in Scripture, Isaiah 33:4, where it supplies a vivid noun for the rapacious “swarming” or “pouncing” of a victorious host upon abandoned spoil. Though rare, the term opens a window on the prophetic imagination, portraying the sudden, irresistible gathering of plunder after the Lord has overthrown His enemies. Biblical Occurrence Isaiah 33:4 – “Your plunder will be gathered as if by locusts; like a swarm of locusts men will pounce on it.” Here מַשָּׁק depicts the circling, sweeping motion of a cloud of locusts descending on a field. In context, the prophet announces Assyria’s collapse and Judah’s deliverance. The same Assyrian army that had once devoured the nations is itself stripped clean; Judah’s remnant collects the booty with locust-like thoroughness. Imagery and Word Picture 1. Relentless Efficiency: Locusts consume everything in their path, leaving nothing behind (Joel 1:4). מַשָּׁק conveys the same exhaustive completeness in the gathering of plunder. Historical Setting: Siege and Deliverance Isaiah 33 stands against the backdrop of Sennacherib’s 701 B.C. campaign. Judah, cornered by Assyria’s vast forces, appeared doomed. Yet the Lord promised that He Himself would arise (Isaiah 33:10). When the angel of the Lord struck the Assyrian camp, Jerusalem awoke to an enemy in full retreat (2 Kings 19:35-36). Mַשָּׁק captures the aftermath: relieved Judeans streaming out to collect abandoned weapons, provisions, and treasures—as eagerly and thoroughly as locusts sweeping a field. Theological Themes • Divine Retribution: God reverses oppression, turning the spoils of evildoers over to the faithful (Proverbs 13:22). Ministry and Devotional Application • Confidence in God’s Sovereignty: Believers facing overwhelming odds can remember Judah’s deliverance; the Lord can reduce the mightiest foe to spoil to be gathered. Related Biblical Motifs Exodus 12:35-36 – Israel plunders Egypt on the night of redemption. 2 Chronicles 20:25 – Jehoshaphat’s men find “more goods, clothing, and articles of value than they could carry.” Psalm 68:12 – “Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home divides the spoil.” These parallels reinforce the pattern: God defeats the oppressor, and His people gather the spoils. Key Takeaways 1. מַשָּׁק, though used once, underscores God’s power to reverse fortunes decisively. Forms and Transliterations כְּמַשַּׁ֥ק כמשק kə·maš·šaq kemashShak kəmaššaqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 33:4 HEB: אֹ֖סֶף הֶֽחָסִ֑יל כְּמַשַּׁ֥ק גֵּבִ֖ים שׁוֹקֵ֥ק NAS: As locusts rushing about men rush about KJV: of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts INT: gathers the caterpillar rushing of locusts rush 1 Occurrence |
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Pa`el deceive, and derivatives; Assyrian tašsirtu [Dl-gir-] a lie,so Late Hebrew שֶׁקֶר, Arabic 
and 
(loan-word ?)).