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מֶמְשָׁלָה

𐤌𐤌𐤔𐤋𐤄

memshâlâh

H4475 noun

SILEX Entry

Root משל to rule, govern, have dominion, exercise authority

Definition

Governmental authority or sovereignty; the act or condition of having dominion, governance, or administrative power. In specific contexts, refers to the territory, political structure, or domain governed under such authority. The term can denote both the abstract concept of 'rule' and the concrete realm in which this rule is exercised.

Semantic Range

rule; dominion; governmental power; authority; realm; sphere of governance; domain; administrative structure; sovereignty

Root / Etymology

From the root מָשַׁל, meaning 'to rule, govern, have dominion.' מֶמְשָׁלָה is a feminine noun formation indicating the abstract or concrete sphere or function of domination or authority.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מֶמְשָׁלָה primarily signifies a realm of authority or administrative governance, often used of both divine and human power. It can refer to the dominion of humans over creation (Genesis 1:16, Psalms 136:8-9), the rule of earthly kingdoms or rulers (1 Kings 9:19, 2 Kings 20:13), and, in later writings, the sphere or office of government. During the monarchic period, the term is associated with the centralized rule of a monarch or a state, whereas in poetic or cosmological texts, it encompasses dominions within nature or the cosmos (cf. 'the dominion of the sun and moon'). In post-exilic literature, מֶמְשָׁלָה may reflect imperial or administrative domains under foreign sovereignties, thus expanding its semantic field beyond earlier Israelite self-government. English translations such as 'dominion,' 'rule,' and 'government' capture much of its semantic value, though 'dominion' often best reflects its range from abstract authority to territorial jurisdiction.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of מִמְשָׁל; rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler; dominion, government, power, to rule.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

משל (m-š-l) — to rule, govern, exercise authority, have dominion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4474 מִמְשָׁל the dominions
H4910 מָשַׁל I will rule
H4911 מָשַׁל the parable-speaker
H4912 מָשָׁל the ruling saying
H4913 מָשָׁל governing proverb

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4475-05 מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽ/וֹ memeshaleto HNcbsc/Sp3ms his dominion his governing authority 6
H4475-02 לְ/מֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת lememeshelet HR/Ncbsc to rule to dominion-of 3
H4475-07 וּ/מֶֽמְשֶׁלְתְּ/ךָ֖ umemesheletekha HC/Ncbsc/Sp2ms and your authority and your dominion 2
H4475-03 לְ/מֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת lememeshelot HR/Ncbpa to rule to dominions 1
H4475-01 הַ/מֶּמְשָׁלָה֙ hamemeshalah HTd/Ncbsa the dominion the dominion 1
H4475-04 מַמְשְׁלוֹתָֽי/ו mameshelotayv HNcbpc/Sp3ms his dominion his dominions 1
H4475-06 מֶמְשֶׁ֨לֶת memeshelet HNcbsc dominion rule of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4475-02 Genesis 1:16 לְ/מֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת lememeshelet HR/Ncbsc to rule to dominion-of
H4475-02 Genesis 1:16 לְ/מֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת lememeshelet-2 HR/Ncbsc to rule to dominion-of
H4475-05 1 Kings 9:19 מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽ/וֹ memeshaleto HNcbsc/Sp3ms of his dominion his governing authority
H4475-07 Isaiah 22:21 וּ/מֶֽמְשֶׁלְתְּ/ךָ֖ umemesheletekha HC/Ncbsc/Sp2ms and your authority and your dominion
H4475-05 Isaiah 39:2 מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽ/וֹ memeshaleto HNcbsc/Sp3ms his dominion his governing authority
H4475-06 Jeremiah 34:1 מֶמְשֶׁ֨לֶת memeshelet HNcbsc dominion rule of
H4475-05 Jeremiah 51:28 מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽ/וֹ memeshaleto HNcbsc/Sp3ms his dominion his governing authority
H4475-01 Micah 4:8 הַ/מֶּמְשָׁלָה֙ hamemeshalah HTd/Ncbsa the dominion the dominion
H4475-05 Psalms 103:22 מֶמְשַׁלְתּ֑/וֹ memeshaleto HNcbsc/Sp3ms his dominion his governing authority
H4475-04 Psalms 114:2 מַמְשְׁלוֹתָֽי/ו mameshelotayv HNcbpc/Sp3ms his dominion his dominions
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