מִשְׁפָּחָה
Mishpachah
Family, clan, kindred
Mishpachah (מִשְׁפָּחָה) is a Hebrew word meaning “family, clan, kindred,” pronounced “mish-pa-KHAH.” Derived from the root שׁ-פ-ח, mishpachah appears 304 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H4940).
| Hebrew | מִשְׁפָּחָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Mishpachah |
| Pronunciation | mish-pa-KHAH |
| Meaning | Family, clan, kindred |
| Root Letters | שׁ-פ-ח |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 304× |
| Key Verse | Genesis 12:3 |
| Strong's Number | H4940 |
| Category | Family & Relationships |
God's very first promise to Abraham was not about individuals but about mishpachot — families: 'In you all the mishpachot (families) of the earth shall be blessed' (Genesis 12:3). The Hebrew word mishpachah (מִשְׁפָּחָה) refers not to the nuclear family of modern Western culture but to the extended clan — grandparents, uncles, cousins, and even servants bound together as one household. This expansive understanding of family shapes the entire biblical narrative. God chose a mishpachah (Abraham's), formed it into a people (Israel), and through that people blessed every mishpachah on earth. The Passover lamb was selected according to mishpachah (Exodus 12:3). Land in Israel was distributed by mishpachah (Joshua 13-21). The book of Ruth is fundamentally about restoring a mishpachah through the kinsman-redeemer. In Hebrew thought, you are never just an individual standing alone before God — you are part of a mishpachah that stretches backward to your ancestors and forward to your children's children. Understanding this word reshapes how Christians think about church, community, and belonging. The church is not a loose collection of individuals but a mishpachah — God's family, bound together by covenant and blood.
Key Bible Verse: Genesis 12:3
“In you all the families (mishpachot) of the earth shall be blessed.”
What Is the Root of Mishpachah in Hebrew?
Mishpachah comes from a root related to ש-פ-ח, possibly meaning 'to join' or 'to spread out.' The word encompasses all levels of kinship beyond the immediate household, including extended relatives, servants, and those bound by covenant.
What Does Mishpachah Mean in the Bible?
Mishpachah appears approximately 304 times in the Hebrew Bible. It structures Israel's social organization: individual → household (bayit) → clan (mishpachah) → tribe (shevet) → nation (am). God's promise to Abraham blesses all mishpachot (Genesis 12:3).
How Is Mishpachah Used in Modern Hebrew?
Israeli culture retains a strong mishpachah orientation. Friday night Shabbat dinner is the primary family gathering. Israeli families are typically large and close-knit. The phrase 'mishpachah' is used colloquially to mean 'our people' — a sense of belonging that extends beyond blood.
How to Use Mishpachah in Prayer & Worship
Pray for your mishpachah — both biological and spiritual. Ask God to bless your extended family across generations. Remember that the church is God's mishpachah, and pray for the unity, loyalty, and love that this family identity demands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mishpachah
How do you say “Family” in Hebrew?
“Family” in Hebrew is Mishpachah (מִשְׁפָּחָה), pronounced “mish-pa-KHAH.” Mishpachah comes from a root related to ש-פ-ח, possibly meaning 'to join' or 'to spread out.' The word encompasses all levels of kinship beyond the immediate household, including extended relatives, servants, and those bound by covenant.
What does Mishpachah mean in the Bible?
Mishpachah (מִשְׁפָּחָה) means “Family, clan, kindred” in Biblical Hebrew. Mishpachah appears approximately 304 times in the Hebrew Bible. It structures Israel's social organization: individual → household (bayit) → clan (mishpachah) → tribe (shevet) → nation (am). God's promise to Abraham blesses all mishpachot (Genesis 12:3).
How do you pronounce Mishpachah?
Mishpachah is pronounced “mish-pa-KHAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root שׁ-פ-ח.
How is 'mishpachah' different from the English word 'family'?
English 'family' typically means parents and children (nuclear family). Hebrew mishpachah is much larger — it encompasses the extended clan: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even household servants. Biblical society was organized around mishpachot, not individuals. This communal identity shaped worship, land ownership, justice, and daily life.
Why does God's promise focus on families, not individuals?
Genesis 12:3 promises that all mishpachot of the earth will be blessed through Abraham. God works through families because faith is meant to be transmitted generationally (Deuteronomy 6:7). Salvation in Hebrew thought is communal — when the jailer in Acts 16:31 believed, his whole household was baptized. God's redemptive plan has always been family-shaped.
What role does the extended family play in the Bible?
The mishpachah was the primary social unit in ancient Israel. It determined land inheritance (Joshua 13-21), provided economic support, ensured justice (the go'el/kinsman-redeemer), and maintained worship traditions. When Boaz redeemed Ruth, he was fulfilling mishpachah obligations. The extended family was Israel's social safety net, welfare system, and faith community rolled into one.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H4940: Mishpachah
- Bible Gateway — Genesis 12:3 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for שׁ-פ-ח
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