מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים
𐤌𐤏𐤋𐤄 𐤏𐤒𐤓𐤁𐤉𐤌
Maaleh Aqerabim
H4610 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A specific geographical term meaning 'Ascent of Aqrabbim' or 'Scorpion Ascent;' refers to a steep pass or slope whose name associates it with scorpions, likely due to their prevalence in the area. Used as a proper toponym to designate a boundary or notable landmark in the southern region of ancient Israel.
Semantic Range
steep pass, ascent, upward slope, literal geographical ascent; place name designating a border location or natural pass; the region known for scorpions
Root / Etymology
Compound phrase from the Hebrew noun מַעֲלֶה (ma'aleh, 'ascent, slope, pass') and the plural of עַקְרָב (aqrav, 'scorpion'), thus literally 'ascent of scorpions.' Both elements are common nouns in Hebrew; together they form a distinctive place name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The Ma'aleh Aqrabbim is referenced as a physical boundary marker (e.g., Numbers 34:4; Joshua 15:3; Judges 1:36), likely corresponding to a steep pass or escarpment at the southern edge of the land traditionally inhabited by the ancient Israelites—often identified with the region at the southwestern border of the Dead Sea connecting the Judean wilderness to the Negev. The name suggests the site was notable for the presence of scorpions, indicating a harsh, desert environment. In later translations, the term is sometimes rendered with the generic 'Ascent of Scorpions' or transliterated as 'Maaleh-acrabbim.' The site’s place-name function remained relatively stable across biblical periods, and its specific geographical identification shifted only as later readers attempted to correlate it with present-day landmarks. It should not be confused with similar terms; 'עֲקָבִים' (aqavim, 'tracks, heels') is a different root and semantic field. Modern English translations sometimes obscure the local/topographical reality by over-translating or not providing the place name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מַעֲלֶה and (the plural of) עַקְרָב; Steep of Scorpions, a place in the Desert; Maaleh-accrabim, the ascent (going up) of Akrabbim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
עלה , עקרב (Maaleh Aqerabim) — to ascend, to climb, to go up; scorpion
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4610-01 |
עַקְרַבִּים֙ | aqerabim | HNp |
Akrabbim | Ascent of Scorpions | Maaleh Aqerabim | 3 |
H4610-02 |
לְ/מַעֲלֵ֤ה | lemaaleh | HR/Ncmsc |
of the ascent | ascent of scorpions | ascent of | 2 |
H4610-03 |
מִֽ/מַּעֲלֵ֖ה | mimaaleh | HR/Ncmsc |
from-ascend-of | from ascent-of scorpions | from ascent of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4610-02 |
Numbers 34:4 | לְ/מַעֲלֵ֤ה | lemaaleh | HR/Ncmsc |
to the ascent | ascent of scorpions | to the ascent of |
H4610-01 |
Numbers 34:4 | עַקְרַבִּים֙ | aqerabim | HNp |
Akrabbim | Ascent of Scorpions | Maaleh Aqerabim |
H4610-02 |
Joshua 15:3 | לְ/מַעֲלֵ֤ה | lemaaleh | HR/Ncmsc |
of the ascent | ascent of scorpions | ascent of |
H4610-01 |
Joshua 15:3 | עַקְרַבִּים֙ | aqerabim | HNp |
of Akrabbim | Ascent of Scorpions | Maaleh Aqerabim |
H4610-03 |
Judges 1:36 | מִֽ/מַּעֲלֵ֖ה | mimaaleh | HR/Ncmsc |
from-ascend-of | from ascent-of scorpions | from ascent of |
H4610-01 |
Judges 1:36 | עַקְרַבִּ֑ים | aqerabim | HNp |
Akrabbim | Ascent of Scorpions | Maaleh Aqerabim |