Proto-Semitic root
*mass-
‘forced labor, corvée levy, labor gang’
di Mino’s gloss: forced labour, corvée; a gang of workers
Record S31 ↗ · Basis: kaphtor
In Linear A3 entries
Notes
Direct vassal-labor register term. Solomon’s mas is the Bible’s primary corvée institution.
Reflexes4 languages
East Semitic1
- AkkadianAmarna: {lu₂-meš}ma-as-sa₃.MEŠ, massu a collective, EA 365 (Moran 1992, 363 and n. 1)massu, Alalakh, EA (CAD M/1 327)gloss withheld
Northwest Semitic3
- Hebrewmas (HALOT 603; 1 Kgs 5:27—Solomon’s corvée; Josh 16:10; Judg 1:28–35)gloss withheld
- Judaic Aramaicmissā (HALOT 603)gloss withheld
- Canaanitemazza (HALOT 603)
† Gloss withheld: the cited dictionary’s licence is closed, so its form and page stand without its gloss.