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Bible Encyclopedias
Mishor
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or THE (הִמַּישׁוֹר; Sept. Μισώρ, also πεδινη;' Vulg. planities and campestria; A.V. "the plain"). This word is applied in Scripture to any plain or level tract of land, as in 1 Kings 20:23, and 2 Chronicles 26:10; but in a number of passages it is used with the article as the proper name of the plateau of Moab; and when thus employed it is generally Graecized in the Sept. (Deuteronomy 3:10; Joshua 13:9; Joshua 13:16-17; Joshua 13:21; Jeremiah 48:8; Jeremiah 48:21). Stanley brings out the meaning of this word: "The smooth downs (of Moab) received a special name (Mishor), expressive of their contrast with the rough and rocky soil of the west" (Sin. and Pal. page 317); and probably, it might be added, in contrast with the' wooded heights and picturesque vales of Gilead. The word comes from the root יָשִׁר, to be level or just, and is sometimes employed in a moral sense (Psalms 45:6; Psalms 143:10). Stanley supposes that the whole of the upland downs east of the Jordan are called Mishor, and that this fact fixes the true site of the battle of Aphek (1 Kings 20:23 sq.). It seems doubtful, however, whether the word Mishor, in the description of that battle, will bear the meaning thus assigned to it. It appears to be simply put in opposition to harim, hills." "Their gods are gods of the hills, therefore they were stronger than we,but let us fight against them in the rain,". (mishear). In 2 Chronicles 26:10, mishor also means "a plain" west of the Jordan. As a proper name, or a special appellative, it was given only to the great plateau of Moab, even as distinguished from that of Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:10). This plateau commences at the summit of that range of hills, or rather lofty banks, which bounds the Jordan valley, and extends in a smooth, gently undulating surface far out into the desert of Arabia. Medeba was. one of its chief cities, and hence it is twice called "the Mishor of Medeba" (Joshua 13:9; Joshua 13:16). It formed the special subject of the awful curse pronounced by Jeremiah-"Judgment is come upon the land of the Mishor" (Jeremiah 48:21). It was chiefly celebrated for its pastures; but it also contained a number of large and strong cities, the ruins of which still dot its surface (Porter, Damascus, 2:183). (See MOAB); (See TOPOGRAPHICAL TERMS).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Mishor'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/m/mishor.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
