mishna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialized/Technical)Formal, Academic, Religious
Quick answer
What does “mishna” mean?
The first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions, forming the first part of the Talmud.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions, forming the first part of the Talmud.
Any single paragraph, teaching, or law within this compilation; by extension, a body of traditional law or teaching.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Usage is consistent in academic/religious circles.
Connotations
Associated with Jewish religious scholarship; no regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to specific domains.
Grammar
How to Use “mishna” in a Sentence
The Mishna [verbs: codifies, records, presents] the Oral Law.Scholars [verbs: study, analyse, cite] the Mishna.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mishna” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Mishnaic principles
- a Mishnaic source
American English
- Mishnaic text
- Mishnaic era
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and history departments when discussing Jewish texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of Jewish educational or religious contexts.
Technical
Core term in Jewish law (Halakha) and Talmudic studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mishna”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mishna”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mishna”
- Misspelling as 'Mishnah' (also correct) or 'Mishnea'.
- Using it as a general term for any religious rule.
- Pronouncing the final syllable as /nɑː/ instead of /nə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Mishna is the first, core layer of the Talmud. The Talmud consists of the Mishna plus a later, extensive commentary called the Gemara.
It is pronounced MISH-nuh (/ˈmɪʃnə/), with the stress on the first syllable.
It was redacted and compiled around the year 200 CE (Common Era) in Palestine, under the editorship of Rabbi Judah the Prince.
It is written in Mishnaic Hebrew, a distinct form of Hebrew different from that of the biblical period.
The first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions, forming the first part of the Talmud.
Mishna is usually formal, academic, religious in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As clear as a debated Mishna (rare, implying complexity)”
- “To split a Mishna hair (variant of 'split hairs', emphasizing legalistic detail).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MISHNA = 'MISH' (like 'mish-mash' of laws) + 'NA' (for 'narrated'). It's the narrated collection of laws.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAW IS A TEXT (foundational document as a source of authority and structure).
Practice
Quiz
What is the Mishna?