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מִגְבָּלָה

𐤌𐤂𐤁𐤋𐤄

migbâlâh

H4020 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גבל to border, bind, set bounds

Definition

A boundary, border, or limit marking a territorial edge or endpoint, especially the defined separation between lands, regions, or properties. In context, refers to the physical or legal demarcation distinguishing one area from another, often as set by custom, agreement, or administrative decree.

Semantic Range

boundary, border, limit, endpoint, demarcation, border-marker

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root גבל (g-b-l), meaning 'to border, bind, set bounds.' מִגְבָּלָה is a noun formation with the mem-prefix denoting an instrument or place related to the action of the root—thus, 'place of boundary' or 'boundary marker.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term appears in post-exilic texts (e.g., Ezekiel, Ezra, Nehemiah) where it is used primarily in the sense of a formal or established border—whether of land divisions allotted to the Israelite tribes, the delineation of city limits, or the setting of bounds with neighboring peoples or estates. The word reflects a more administrative or technical sense of boundary than the related גְּבוּל (gevul), which broadly means a territory, border, or region. מִגְבָּלָה often emphasizes the concept of an endpoint, demarcation, or the act of setting a physical or legal limit. English translations as 'border' or 'boundary' generally capture the core sense, though may not always reflect nuances such as legal versus physical boundaries. There are no strong indications in biblical Hebrew usage that the term carries theological extensions; it remains in the realm of land division and administration. In later periods, especially the Second Temple era and beyond, distinctions between מִגְבָּלָה and גְּבוּל may have become less pronounced, but in biblical texts, מִגְבָּלָה typically signals an official, often newly established, demarcation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from גָּבַל; a border; end.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גבל (g-b-l) — to border, bind, set bounds

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1366 גְּבוּל in boundary of
H1367 גְּבוּלָה in boundary-lines of
H1379 גָּבַל they bounded
H1380 גְּבַל Gebal
H1381 גְּבָל Gebal Borderland

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4020-01 מִגְבָּלֹ֛ת migebalot HNcfpa at the ends boundary-markers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4020-01 Exodus 28:14 מִגְבָּלֹ֛ת migebalot HNcfpa at the ends boundary-markers
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