מִסְפּוֹא
mis.po (H4554)
fodder
AI Word Study
# Mispoa (H4554): Cattle Feed in Ancient Israel The Hebrew word *mispoa* refers to fodder—the dried grasses and plant material used to feed livestock. This practical agricultural term appears five times in the biblical text, indicating it held concrete importance in the pastoral economy of ancient Israel. The word designates a specific category of animal feed distinct from fresh grazing, suggesting communities that stored provisions for their herds during seasons when fresh pasture was unavailable. The limited frequency of *mispoa* in biblical literature (five occurrences) suggests the term was used matter-of-factly to describe an ordinary aspect of animal husbandry rather than serving symbolic or theological purposes. It appears in contexts dealing with practical agricultural concerns, reflecting the everyday realities of maintaining livestock in the ancient Levantine environment. The word's specificity—naming a particular type of feed rather than using a general term for food—indicates the biblical authors' familiarity with the technical distinctions required in managing herds and flocks. Understanding *mispoa* reveals how biblical texts occasionally incorporate straightforward vocabulary for rural economic activities. Rather than metaphorical or theologically laden terms, this word simply names a necessity of agricultural life, much as modern texts might reference hay or grain for livestock. Its modest presence in Scripture reflects the seamless integration of agricultural detail into biblical narrative and legal material.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”
The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey food in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the mouth of his sack.
The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder.
Yet there is both straw and feed for our donkeys; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for your servant, and for the young man who is with your servants. There is no lack of anything.”