מְשָׁלִ֥ים
𐤌𐤔𐤋𐤉𐤌
mâshâl
proverbs
A concise statement or saying, often figurative or metaphorical in nature, used for teaching, comparison, or illustration. The term refers broadly to various forms of wisdom literature including proverbs, aphorisms, poetic instructive compositions, riddles, parables, and occasionally to taunts or proverbial bywords. In some contexts, it denotes a standard of comparison or an example—positive or negative—used to communicate a wider truth or moral lesson.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 · Word #13
Lexicon H4912
| Lemma | מָשָׁל |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤌𐤔𐤋 |
| Transliteration | mâshâl |
| Strong's | H4912 |
| Definition | A concise statement or saying, often figurative or metaphorical in nature, used for teaching, comparison, or illustration. The term refers broadly to various forms of wisdom literature including proverbs, aphorisms, poetic instructive compositions, riddles, parables, and occasionally to taunts or proverbial bywords. In some contexts, it denotes a standard of comparison or an example—positive or negative—used to communicate a wider truth or moral lesson. |
Morphology HNcmpa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | p — Plural — Plural |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | proverbs |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4912-05
governing sayings
| Morphological Notes | Noun, common, masculine plural, absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The plural masculine noun מְשָׁלִים derives from the root משׁל, "to rule/govern," and denotes sayings that exercise governing or standard-setting force in speech through comparison and wisdom. "Governing sayings" preserves the root’s dominion concept while reflecting the plural absolute form. |
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