(מִשָּׂא, massa', a lifting up, i.e. of the voice; Sept. usually λῆμμα ). This term, besides its common meaning of a load (for which several other terms were also used), frequently occurs in the prophetical writings in the special signification of an oracle from God. It was sometimes understood in the sense of a denunciation of evil (Isaiah 13:1; Nahum 1:1); yet it did not exclusively imply a grievous and heavy burden, but a message, whether its import were joyous or afflictive (Zechariah 9:1; Zechariah 12:1; Malachi 1:1).