מֶלֶט
𐤌𐤋𐤈
meleṭ
H4423 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A binding or adhesive substance, particularly a form of clay or mortar used as a plaster or cement in construction. Refers to a smooth, plastic material applied as a sealant or coating, typically in the context of building or repairing walls.
Semantic Range
cement, mortar, plaster, clay as a binding or sealing material, smooth coating agent
Root / Etymology
From the root מלט, which at the root level means 'to escape, slip away, deliver oneself.' The nominal form מֶלֶט is derived from the root, likely describing a material that is smoothed or spread so as to adhere and potentially provide a protective or sealing function. The semantic development from the verb to the noun suggests the concept of something being spread to secure or protect, thus forming a barrier.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מֶלֶט appears in Isaiah 41:7 as a construction material, where artisans use it as a plaster or cement to join or coat objects. While English translations often render it as 'cement,' 'plaster,' or 'clay,' its precise identification remains uncertain; it may refer generally to an adhesive mineral compound such as a soft clay or lime-based mortar. In the ancient Near Eastern context, different materials were used to secure, coat, or seal wooden or metallic work, and מֶלֶט designates one such generic substance rather than a specifically modern construction material. Later rabbinic usage does not preserve the term as a technical label for cement but expands on the concept of coating or sealing with other terms. 'Cement' captures the sense of a binding or smoothing agent, but does not reflect the possible range from sticky clay to plaster.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָלַט,; cement (from its plastic smoothness); clay.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מלט (m-l-ṭ) — escape, slip away, deliver
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4423-01 |
בַּ/מֶּ֨לֶט֙ | bamelet | HRd/Ncmsa |
in the mortar | in the sealing-mortar | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4423-01 |
Jeremiah 43:9 | בַּ/מֶּ֨לֶט֙ | bamelet | HRd/Ncmsa |
in the mortar | in the sealing-mortar |