Hebrew Word Study – A Tender Bond – Mizpah – מִּצְפָּה֙ Mem Sade Pei Hei
Genesis 31:49: It was also called Mizpah, because he said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.
I remember watching an old movie made during World War II called “Stage Door Canteen.” It was about celebrities who gathered together at an old theater set up as a nightclub to give soldiers about to embark on the war overseas an evening of relaxation and food. At one point a soldier commented that as he and his wife parted they said “Mizpah” to each other. Another soldier overhearing the conversation ask what “Mizpah” meant. Francis Langford then went into this lengthy explanation that it meant a tender, emotional bond between two people when they are separated either physically or by death. She went on with a few more paragraphs in her definition. My first thought was: “All that from one word?”
When you look at this word in the Bible and your lexicons you will find it only means a place or a watchtower. Yet, this word, like so many Hebrew words, has a broad range of meaning. This is a prime example of how lexicographers use the context a word from a dead language to determine the meaning. The problem is that in looking at this verse to apply the meaning of Mizpah they only went as far as “the Lord watch between you and me” and concluded that it meant a watchtower. They overlooked the last phrase “when we are away from each other.” The Jewish sages included that in their definition as well and we find the word mizpah now used as a form of prayer, a word used by two lovers who are separated from each other, a word used on jewelry, often printed on a necklace in the shape of a heart and the heart split in two where each lover wears a half of the heart around their necks as a memorial to their bond with each other while separated.
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Yet, we in our Christian Western thought have to be so cold and scientific that we see only the meaning that the Lord will keep a watch over us and totally neglect the rest of the meaning that He will keep watch over those of us He has bonded with like two lovers keep a watch over their hearts while they are separated. When that soldier went off to war his wife would pray for him, think of him, keep a special place in their home ready for him, and send him letters, packages of cookies and anything else to be a watchtower over his heart. In turn that husband would remain faithful to his wife while separated, send letters, money, words of encouragement, anything that will keep him as a watchtower over her heart.
When I leave a worship service where God and I have shared an intimate time together, we say: “Mizpah” to each other. In that emotional word God is committed to protecting me, watching over me, providing for me, keeping a special place ready for me for the next time we come together in worship. He is promising to be a watchtower over my heart. In return when I say: “Mizpah to Him I am promising to be faithful to Him as my only God, to support his desires and do what He desires and never to be unfaithful to Him. I am promising to be a watchtower over His heart.
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Thanks & Blessings, it means a lot to me!
I thought this was two people who didn’t trust each other asking God to keep a watch over them when they couldn’t see each other.
Chaim, i’m way behind in my reading these word studies. I figure I’ll start going back and doing them from here back. My wife seems to think that 400 emails are making my phone’s battery go down faster. I just don’t read them, most are just wanting to sell me something.
I am always amazed, doing translations from Hebrew how complex the words are. The idea of picking a single word as a translation is pure folly in many cases. Maybe going back over some word study will make the translating even more exciting.
As always such a blessing! The newest email was very touching and helpful. Please be encouraged that you are making a difference and blessing your brothers and sisters in Christ!🤗❤️🩹🙏
I really enjoy these word studies. Thank you so much. Shalom
Thank you again for a very informative lesson!
However I can’t help but be reminded of what the Jehovah’s witnesses teach. They claim that Jesus is a created being and not taken from the very Essence of God. They claim that Jesus is a demigod. I firmly believe that the God I love would never create gods of any sort!! I believe that Satan is a created being and was meant to be a servant of God,but because God gave all created beings free will and so Satan came to want more power! He is envious of Jesus and wants to destroy Him! He knows that he can’t destroy Jesus because Jesus is too powerful, but he can and does lead people away from knowing our Savior.
I’m so afraid that when I stand before Jesus on judgement day He will ask me what I did to help others believe in Him!
I like it.
It is so amazing that in today’s “Christianity ” everybody is a Christian. I can live with my girlfriend and turn around and say that God answers my prayers. I had a married friend who claimed to be a Christian tell me, she had met a married Christian man at a dance and felt that God had brought them together. It is amazing how deceived one can be. But also how sad of believing such a dangerous teaching.
I was touched of the part mentioned concerning God promising to be a watchtower over my heart. And in return I am promising to be a watchtower over His heart. I am so thankful there is a price of Holiness which has to be present in my heart for “Mizpah” to be accepted.
Thanks I don’t always get to read all the wonderful… but this time I did. I love Mizpah thank you.
After reading this in one of you books, I shared it with my daughter & her then fiance, who adopted the sentiment & purchased the necklace for both of them! Soft hearts who will one day embrace the full meaning as you explain it. My prayer for them!
Beautiful.
I have become disappointed with all of the Bible commentaries found in an App when looking for a deeper meaning of a passage. It would probably take years to give your level of understanding on every scripture. But that is relationship, isn’t it?
It seems essential and almost crucial that we are found Mizpah with God and godly relationships than to covet a position or possessions.
Beautiful!!! Thank you so much!!! I will never forget this. I know He will help me remember it…. While He and I may not be in each others presence.
Mizpah beloveds
Shalom Chaim BenTorah. As I prepare to enter Sukkot, and sit under my sukkah with the wedding chuppah, I would love to read the full explanation from the movie regarding mizpah. I tried searching on the internet and did not find it. Would you be willing to send it to me. Thank you.
I just want to add another aspect of this passage in Genesis 31…
In context when we consider what happened between the two men in this episode, it was not good…One man deceived/ tricked the other. Back and forth it went. Neither could trust the other. As a result came this particular prayer departure. As a pastor l stopped using it to dismiss services. In this text it was a departure of men who did not trust each other. I wanted to build a congregation who loved and trusted one another.
Thank you for these beautiful word studies! Mizpah reminds me of Fiddler on the Roof when Father took his daughter to the train headed for Siberia to be with the man she loved who was exiled for speaking against the government. I’m sure they spoke mizpah to each other when they said good-bye. Also separation during the holocaust. Thank God our hearts too when we depart this life and say mizpah to our loved ones.