The Enigmatic mmšt in the lmlk Stamps

Abstract

The late 8th century BCE lmlk stamp seal impressions on jar handles are among the most distinctive epigraphic findings in Judah. Currently, they comprise more than two thousand provenanced items from throughout the Judahite territory. While three of the four words engraved below the word lmlk, “(belonging) to the king,” refer to well-known Judahite cities—Hebron, Ziph, and Socoh—the fourth—mmšt— remains incomprehensible since it was first sighted in 1868. In this study, I argue that mmšt is not the name of a city but the expression “from (the?) maś’ēt”—masoretized מִמַּשְׂאֵת—spelled without the aleph. The maś’ēt was a huge and unique ad hoc collection of agricultural products initiated by King Hezekiah as part of his preparations for the anticipated invasion of the Assyrian army following his rebellion. These products were subsequently distributed in jars, whose handles were stamped with the inscription “(belonging) to the king – from (the?) maś’ēt.”