מַפֶּלֶת
𐤌𐤐𐤋𐤕
mappeleth
H4658 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A falling or downfall, often referring to collapse, destruction, or ruin, especially in the context of structures, peoples, or events. In some contexts, may denote a figurative or literal collapse (e.g., the fall of a wall or city), or the destructive consequence following an action. Rarely, it can refer to something that has fallen, such as a corpse.
Semantic Range
downfall, collapse, calamity, ruin, ruinous event, destruction; rarely, a thing (such as a corpse) that has fallen
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root נפל (n-p-l), meaning 'to fall, collapse, be cast down'. מַפֶּלֶת (mappeleth) is a feminine noun form denoting the act or result of falling, i.e., a downfall or ruin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, מַפֶּלֶת is most frequently found in narrative or prophetic contexts describing literal destruction or societal collapse, such as the falling of a wall (Isaiah 30:13) or the defeat of peoples. The word is derived directly from the root נפל, which encompasses both voluntary and involuntary falls, but מַפֶּלֶת is more narrowly used for significant, often disastrous, collapses or downfalls. Standard English translations render it with terms such as 'ruin', 'collapse', or 'downfall', sometimes 'carcase', but the latter sense is rare and depends on the contextual connotation of something having fallen and therefore being lifeless. It does not have the technical meaning of 'corpse' as does the more standard term נְבֵלָה (nevelah). The semantic range did not shift significantly between early and later biblical periods, remaining focused on calamity or substantial physical or societal loss. The usage is distinct from general terms for death and instead connotes an event or process of ruin.
Translation Consistency
Mappeleth normally denotes collapse, destruction, or a ruinous event. "Ruin" is a natural, concise English noun that covers both literal and figurative fallings, collapse of structures or peoples, and the consequence of destruction. It also allows idiomatic uses (the ruin of the city; his ruin) while avoiding the narrower senses of "collapse" or the awkwardness of "downfall." The rare sense meaning a fallen thing/corpse is exceptional and should be handled contextually rather than as the core term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָפַל; fall, i.e. decadence; concretely, a ruin; specifically a carcase; carcase, fall, ruin.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נפל (n-p-l) — to fall, collapse, be cast down
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4651 | מַפָּל | fallen-off fragments of |
| H4654 | מַפָּלָה | to a collapse |
| H5303 | נְפִיל | the fallen-giants |
| H5307 | נָפַל | I will cause to fall |
| H5308 | נְפַל | falling ones |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4658-03 |
מַפַּלְתֵּ֗/ךְ | mapaletekhe | HNcfsc/Sp2fs |
of your fall | your downfall | your ruin | 3 |
H4658-04 |
מַפַּלְתּ֥/וֹ | mapaleto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its fall | his downfall | his ruin | 2 |
H4658-05 |
מַפֶּ֣לֶת | mapelet | HNcfsc |
the carcass | downfall of | the carcass | 1 |
H4658-01 |
בְּֽ/מַפַּלְתָּ֥/ם | bemapaletam | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp |
their downfall | in their downfall | in their downfall | 1 |
H4658-02 |
מַפַּלְתֶּֽ/ךָ | mapaletekha | HNcfsc/Sp2ms |
of your fall | your downfall | of your fall | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4658-05 |
Judges 14:8 | מַפֶּ֣לֶת | mapelet | HNcfsc |
the carcass | downfall of | the carcass |
H4658-03 |
Ezekiel 26:15 | מַפַּלְתֵּ֗/ךְ | mapaletekhe | HNcfsc/Sp2fs |
of your fall | your downfall | your ruin |
H4658-03 |
Ezekiel 26:18 | מַפַּלְתֵּ֑/ךְ | mapaletekhe | HNcfsc/Sp2fs |
of your fall | your downfall | your ruin |
H4658-03 |
Ezekiel 27:27 | מַפַּלְתֵּֽ/ךְ | mapaletekhe | HNcfsc/Sp2fs |
your downfall | your downfall | your ruin |
H4658-04 |
Ezekiel 31:13 | מַפַּלְתּ֥/וֹ | mapaleto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its fallen trunk | his downfall | his ruin |
H4658-04 |
Ezekiel 31:16 | מַפַּלְתּ/וֹ֙ | mapaleto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its fall | his downfall | his ruin |
H4658-02 |
Ezekiel 32:10 | מַפַּלְתֶּֽ/ךָ | mapaletekha | HNcfsc/Sp2ms |
of your fall | your downfall | of your fall |
H4658-01 |
Proverbs 29:16 | בְּֽ/מַפַּלְתָּ֥/ם | bemapaletam | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp |
their downfall | in their downfall | in their downfall |