מְשָׁל֖/וֹ

𐤌𐤔𐤋/𐤅

meshalo

his oracle

apparently from מָשַׁל in some original sense of superiority in mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse); byword, like, parable, proverb.

H4912

Numbers 24:21 · Word #5

Lexicon H4912

Lemmaמָשָׁל
Lemma (Paleo)𐤌𐤔𐤋
Transliterationmâshâl
Strong'sH4912
In-contexthis oracle

Morphology HNcmsc/Sp3ms All morphology codes

Part of Speech N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea
Subtype c — Common — Common noun
Gender m — Masculine — Masculine
Number s — Singular — Singular
State c — Construct — The noun is bound to the following word

SIBI-P1 H4912-04

his likeness-proverb

Rootמשל (m-š-l)
Core Meaningslikeness, comparison, rulership, authoritative saying
Semantic Rangeproverb, parable, simile, taunt-song, byword, oracle-like discourse, wisdom saying
Conceptual Significanceמָשָׁל is a key term in Israelite wisdom tradition, especially in Proverbs, denoting concise sayings that express moral or theological insight through comparison. It can also introduce prophetic taunts or symbolic discourses, showing how authoritative speech shapes communal understanding and covenant faithfulness.
Morphological NotesNoun, masculine singular construct (מְשָׁל) with 3rd masculine singular pronominal suffix (־וֹ), literally "proverb of him" or "his proverb."
Rendering Rationaleמָשָׁל (māšāl) denotes a comparison-based, authoritative saying derived from the root משל, which carries ideas of likeness and rulership or dominance in expression. The form is masculine singular construct with a 3ms pronominal suffix ("his"), so "his likeness-proverb" preserves both the comparative nuance of the root and the singular possessive form.

AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)

Words from Root משל (likeness, comparison, rulership, authoritative saying)

SILEX Code Transliteration SIBI-P1
H4912-01 hamashal the ruling-saying
H4910-01 hamoshel the ruling-one
H4912-02 lemashal for a ruling-parable
H4475-01 lememeshelet to the dominion of
H4912-03 mashal a ruling proverb
H4910-02 mashelu they exercised dominion
H4475-02 memeshaleto his ruling dominion
H4910-03 meshal you have ruled (2ms, Qal); rule of (masculine singular construct)
H4910-04 meshol to rule
H4474-01 mimeshal ruling-dominion
H4912-05 misheley comparison-proverbs of
H4910-05 moshel ruling one
H4910-06 moshelim ruling men
timeshol you (masculine singular) shall rule / she shall rule
H4910-07 umashal and he exercised dominion
H4911-01 umeshol and you, utter a proverb!
H4910-08 umoshel and a ruling-one
H4911-02 venimeshaleti and I was likened
yimeshal he will rule
H4910-09 yimeshelu they shall rule
H4910-10 yimeshol he will exercise dominion

Word Usage (39 occurrences of H4912)

Location Form Transliteration Meaning
Numbers 23:7 מְשָׁל֖/וֹ meshalo his parable
Numbers 23:18 מְשָׁל֖/וֹ meshalo his oracle
Numbers 24:3 מְשָׁל֖/וֹ meshalo his oracle