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מַעֲלָה

𐤌𐤏𐤋𐤄

maʻălâh

H4609 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עלה to go up, ascend, rise

Definition

A going up, ascent, or step upwards, used both in literal and figurative senses. Primarily denotes a physical step, stair, or upward movement (e.g., an architectural step or stage in a journey), but also describes a social or spiritual elevation, such as increase in status, rank, or spiritual condition. In particular contexts, denotes a stage in a process, a degree or measure of quality, or a thought or intention that arises. In the superscriptions of certain Psalms (Psalms of Ascents), refers specifically to songs associated with pilgrimage or gradual progression toward a holy place.

Semantic Range

step, stair, ascent, upward journey, stage, rank, degree of status, elevation in status, measure, song associated with ascent (especially in Psalms), proposal or intention arising, spiritual progress

Root / Etymology

From the root עלה ('alah), meaning 'to go up, ascend, rise.' The noun form is derived with the feminine ending and denotes the object or result of the action—i.e., 'that which is an ascent, something that rises or is ascended.' The core meaning of the root relates to upward movement, both literal and metaphorical.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Across the Hebrew Bible, מַעֲלָה is used for physical movements upward, such as climbing steps to a temple or moving to a higher ground. Metaphorically, it may refer to increased status (e.g., in Ezekiel's temple vision) or spiritual development. It occurs as a technical term in the titles of Psalms 120–134, commonly called 'Songs of Ascents,' which likely reference pilgrimages to Jerusalem for festivals or ritual approaches to the temple. Modern translations sometimes use terms like 'degree,' 'step,' or 'song of ascent,' but nuances around social, spiritual, and physical elevation should be considered. The noun is distinct from similar words related to journeying or progress (e.g., מסע, 'journey'), emphasizing the aspect of elevation or going up. Later Jewish tradition interpreted these 'songs of ascents' in both liturgical and mystical senses; however, in biblical context, the word is firmly rooted in the idea of ascending or being higher, both literally (steps, stories of a building) and figuratively.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of מַעֲלֶה; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms); things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עלה (ʿ-l-h) — go up, ascend, rise

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H421 אָלָה Lofty One
H422 אָלָה he ascended
H4605 מַעַל upward
H4607 מֹעַל in hand-raising
H4608 מַעֲלֶה at the ascent

Word Forms

16 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4609-05 הַֽ/מַּעֲל֖וֹת hamaalot HTd/Ncfpa of ascents the ascents 19
H4609-08 מַעֲל֣וֹת maalot HNcfpa steps ascents 12
H4609-11 וּ/מַעֲל֥וֹת umaalot HC/Ncfpc and-steps and ascents of 3
H4609-01 בַּֽ֠/מַּעֲלוֹת bamaalot HRd/Ncfpa on the steps in the ascents 2
H4609-04 הַֽ/מַּעֲלָ֖ה hamaalah HTd/Ncfsa of-high-degree the ascent 2
H4609-15 בְ/מַעֲלֹ֖ת vemaalot HR/Ncfpa by steps in ascents 2
H4609-10 מעלות/ו mlvtv HNcfpc/Sp3ms his-ascents his ascents 1
H4609-14 וּ/בְ/מַעֲל֥וֹת uvemaalot HC/R/Ncfpa and-in-ascents and in ascents 1
H4609-12 וּ/מַעֲלֹתֵ֖/הוּ umaalotehu HC/Ncfpc/Sp3ms and-its-steps and his ascents 1
H4609-13 וּ/בַֽ/מַּעֲל֔וֹת uvamaalot HC/Rd/Ncfpa and at the steps and in ascents 1

Occurrences in Scripture

50 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4609-15 Exodus 20:26 בְ/מַעֲלֹ֖ת vemaalot HR/Ncfpa by steps in ascents
H4609-07 Joshua 10:10 מַעֲלֵ֣ה maaleh HNcfsc of the ascent raiser of
H4609-08 1 Kings 10:19 מַעֲל֣וֹת maalot HNcfpa steps ascents
H4609-05 1 Kings 10:20 הַֽ/מַּעֲל֖וֹת hamaalot HTd/Ncfpa steps the ascents
H4609-05 2 Kings 9:13 הַֽ/מַּעֲל֑וֹת hamaalot HTd/Ncfpa steps the ascents
H4609-08 2 Kings 20:9 מַֽעֲל֔וֹת maalot HNcfpa steps ascents
H4609-08 2 Kings 20:9 מַעֲלֽוֹת maalot-2 HNcfpa steps ascents
H4609-08 2 Kings 20:10 מַעֲל֑וֹת maalot HNcfpa steps ascents
H4609-08 2 Kings 20:10 מַעֲלֽוֹת maalot-2 HNcfpa steps ascents
H4609-01 2 Kings 20:11 בַּֽ֠/מַּעֲלוֹת bamaalot HRd/Ncfpa on the steps in the ascents
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