מְטִיל
𐤌𐤈𐤉𐤋
mᵉṭîyl
H4300 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bar or rod, typically of iron, crafted by hammering or forging; specifically refers to a solid, straight piece of metal used for structural, protective, or restrictive purposes. The word may indicate a bar used as a bolt for doors, gates, or as a reinforcing component in larger constructions.
Semantic Range
bar (of iron or metal), forged bar, ingot, rod, cast metal piece
Root / Etymology
From the root טוּל (t-w-l), meaning 'to hurl, cast, throw.' The noun מְטִיל derives from the participial form, denoting 'that which is cast or hurled,' but in practice came to mean 'that which is forged or cast,' hence 'bar' (of metal). The root sense relates to the action of casting or shaping a metal object rather than simply throwing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The noun מְטִיל is rare in the Hebrew Bible, occurring in poetic or late biblical contexts. Its form and use reflect the evolution of industrial terminology as metallurgy advanced in ancient Israelite society. The semantic shift from 'casting/throwing' to 'a cast/forged object' parallels developments in other Semitic languages, where nouns from similar roots also describe metalwork. While most English versions render מְטִיל as 'bar,' this may obscure its association with forging or casting processes characteristic of Iron Age craftsmanship. In later Hebrew, the word came to refer more broadly to ingots or cast pieces of metal. The differentiation from other terms for 'bar' or 'bolt' (such as בְּרִיחַ) lies in מְטִיל's focus on the object's manufacture rather than its function. The term is not attested in early monarchic texts but appears in post-exilic or later biblical language, reflecting broader shifts in material culture and technology.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from טוּל in the sense of hammering out; an iron bar (as forged); bar.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טול (t-w-l) — to throw, to cast, to hurl
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4300-01 |
כִּ/מְטִ֥יל | kimetil | HR/Ncmsc |
like bars of | like a forged bar of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4300-01 |
Job 40:18 | כִּ/מְטִ֥יל | kimetil | HR/Ncmsc |
like bars of | like a forged bar of |