מִמְשָׁל
𐤌𐤌𐤔𐤋
mimshâl
H4474 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A domain or area of rule; abstractly, authority or dominion exercised by a ruler. In the Hebrew Bible, מִמְשָׁל refers primarily to the concept or sphere of sovereignty—either in the literal sense of a territory under a ruler, or more abstractly as the act or state of ruling, governance, or control. Occasionally the term is used to describe the realm over which a particular authority extends, whether human kings, officials, or even celestial bodies.
Semantic Range
domain, dominion, sovereignty, ruling authority, area of control, act of governing, the governed realm
Root / Etymology
From the root מָשַׁל (m-sh-l), meaning 'to rule, have dominion, govern.' מִמְשָׁל is a noun of action or result formation, denoting the area, act, or capacity of ruling, derived from the verbal root. The semantic transition is from 'to rule' to 'that which is ruled' or 'domain of rule.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical context, מִמְשָׁל occurs rarely and typically denotes rule or dominion, as seen in Genesis 1:16, where it refers to the 'rule' of the greater and lesser lights (sun and moon) over day and night. Its concrete use of a specific political region or office is less prominent than its more abstract meaning of ruling authority. In later usage, especially in Second Temple and post-biblical contexts, the term could be used for imperial or bureaucratic dominion. It should not be confused with מַלְכוּת (malkhut, 'kingdom'), which more often refers to the specific realm or institution of kingship, nor with שָׂרָה (sarah, 'rule, chieftainship'), which can carry different connotations of leadership. English translations often render מִמְשָׁל as 'dominion,' 'rule,' or 'authority,' which broadly correspond, but may not reflect nuances about scope (abstract vs. concrete) or the type of authority (cosmic vs. human). Post-biblical usage extends the meaning to more concrete regimes and governmental dominion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָשַׁל; a ruler or (abstractly) rule; dominion, that ruled.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
משל (m-š-l) — to rule, to govern, to have dominion
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4475 | מֶמְשָׁלָה | the dominion |
| H4910 | מָשַׁל | I will rule |
| H4911 | מָשַׁל | the parable-speaker |
| H4912 | מָשָׁל | the ruling saying |
| H4913 | מָשָׁל | governing proverb |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4474-02 |
מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽ/וֹ | memeshaleto | HNcbsc/Sp3ms |
his dominion | his dominion | 2 |
H4474-03 |
מִמְשָׁ֣ל | mimeshal | HNcbsa |
dominion | domain of rule | 2 |
H4474-01 |
הַ/מִּמְשָׁלִ֖ים | hamimeshalim | HTd/Ncbpa |
the rulers | the dominions | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4474-02 |
2 Kings 20:13 | מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽ/וֹ | memeshaleto | HNcbsc/Sp3ms |
his dominion | his dominion |
H4474-03 |
Daniel 11:3 | מִמְשָׁ֣ל | mimeshal | HNcbsa |
dominion | domain of rule |
H4474-03 |
Daniel 11:5 | מִמְשָׁ֥ל | mimeshal | HNcbsa |
dominion | domain of rule |
H4474-01 |
1 Chronicles 26:6 | הַ/מִּמְשָׁלִ֖ים | hamimeshalim | HTd/Ncbpa |
the rulers | the dominions |
H4474-02 |
2 Chronicles 8:6 | מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽ/וֹ | memeshaleto | HNcbsc/Sp3ms |
his-dominion | his dominion |