מִפְלֶצֶת
𐤌𐤐𐤋𐤑𐤕
miphletseth
H4656 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A physical object that inspires horror or repulsion, especially one constructed as a cult image or idol. In biblical usage, the term denotes something appalling or dreadful, often associated with abhorrent religious practices or figures that evoke fear, revulsion, or awe.
Semantic Range
object of horror, thing causing terror, appalling idol, abhorrent image, cultic image that inspires dread
Root / Etymology
From the root פָּלַץ (palatz), which conveys 'to tremble, startle, be horrified.' The noun מִפְלֶצֶת (miphletseth) denotes something that causes fright or terror, particularly through its appearance or the context of its use, such as an image, statue, or idol regarded as terrifying or detestable. The derivational pattern indicates an 'object of terror' or 'thing that causes horror.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מִפְלֶצֶת appears in contexts describing foreign cultic images, particularly those considered abominable or horrifying by biblical authors. The nuance is not merely 'idol' but specifically something that evokes dread, loathing, or strong emotional revulsion. For example, Ezekiel uses the term to refer to shocking cultic icons associated with child sacrifice—distinct from more neutral terms for 'image' (צֵלֶם), 'statue' (פֶסֶל), or generic 'idol' (עֱצֶב, אֱלִיל). Later translations, particularly in the Septuagint and early English Bibles, sometimes rendered this word as 'idol' or 'abomination,' but this often fails to capture the emotional and psychological dimension inherent in the Hebrew. The term is rare and always connotes both the physicality of the object and its capacity to inspire terror or disgust, marking it as distinct from standard terms for 'idol.' Its use is notably pejorative and polemical, heightening the sense of otherness and dread associated with certain ritual images in Israelite polemic against non-Israelite worship practices.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פָּלַץ; a terror, i.e. an idol; idol.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פלץ (p-l-ts) — to tremble, shudder, be horrified
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8606 | תִּפְלֶצֶת | your terror |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4656-02 |
מִפְלַצְתָּ֔/הּ | mifelatsetah | HNcfsc/Sp3fs |
her horrible thing | her horror-idol | 2 |
H4656-01 |
מִפְלָ֑צֶת | mifelatset | HNcfsa |
a horrible thing | horror-image | 1 |
H4656-03 |
מִפְלֶ֖צֶת | mifeletset | HNcfsa |
a horrid thing | appalling idol | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4656-03 |
1 Kings 15:13 | מִפְלֶ֖צֶת | mifeletset | HNcfsa |
a horrid thing | appalling idol |
H4656-02 |
1 Kings 15:13 | מִפְלַצְתָּ֔/הּ | mifelatsetah | HNcfsc/Sp3fs |
her horrid thing | her horror-idol |
H4656-01 |
2 Chronicles 15:16 | מִפְלָ֑צֶת | mifelatset | HNcfsa |
a horrible thing | horror-image |
H4656-02 |
2 Chronicles 15:16 | מִפְלַצְתָּ֔/הּ | mifelatsetah | HNcfsc/Sp3fs |
her horrible thing | her horror-idol |