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מִקְלַעַת

𐤌𐤒𐤋𐤏𐤕

miqlaʻath

H4734 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קלע to sling, hurl, twist, work artfully

Definition

Sculpted or engraved object, most notably a bas-relief or carved figure; refers to the product of artistic carving—typically of wood, stone, or metal—intended as a decorative or symbolic element. The term may refer specifically to decorative reliefs on cultic objects or sanctuary furnishings, as well as architectural carvings.

Semantic Range

sculpted relief, carved figure, ornamented surface, decorative carving, engraved object, bas-relief

Root / Etymology

From the root קלע (q-l-ʿ), which means 'to sling, hurl, twist.' The derived form miqlaʻath is a noun formation, indicating an object resulting from the action of 'twisting' or 'engraving.' While the connection between 'sling, twist' and 'carving' is likely through the sense of working or manipulating material, the exact semantic pathway is unclear; the word comes to denote a carved or sculpted object.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מִקְלַעַת appears in contexts describing ornamentation of sanctuary objects (e.g., the tabernacle in Exodus). The term implies relief sculpture or detailed carving rather than fully three-dimensional statuary, differentiating it from other Hebrew words for idols or graven images (e.g., פסל pesel). Its usage is limited and contextually tied to sacred craftsmanship, distinguished from terms that refer more generically to sculpture or idol-making. Later Jewish exegesis sometimes broadened the meaning, but in the Tanakh it retains a precise artisan or temple setting. English translations often narrow the term to 'carving' or 'graving,' but the Hebrew nuance includes both the technique and the resulting decorative object. The meaning is distinct from objects of worship (idols); more broadly, it designates ornamental art with an emphasis on relief and surface work. In post-exilic and Second Temple contexts, the term occurs chiefly in descriptions of symbolic or liturgical art.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קָלַע; a sculpture (probably in bas-relief); carved (figure), carving, graving.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

קלע (q-l-ʿ) — to sling, hurl, twist, work artfully

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7049 קָלַע he slung
H7050 קֶלַע in the sling
H7051 קַלָּע the slingers
H7084 קְעִילָה in Keilah

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4734-03 מִקְלְעוֹת֙ miqeleot HNcfpc carvings carved reliefs of 2
H4734-01 מִקְלַ֣עַת miqelaat HNcfsc carved carved relief 1
H4734-02 מִקְלָע֔וֹת miqelaot HNcfpa engravings sculpted reliefs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4734-01 1 Kings 6:18 מִקְלַ֣עַת miqelaat HNcfsc carved carved relief
H4734-03 1 Kings 6:29 מִקְלְעוֹת֙ miqeleot HNcfpc carvings carved reliefs of
H4734-03 1 Kings 6:32 מִקְלְע֨וֹת miqeleot HNcfpc carvings carved reliefs of
H4734-02 1 Kings 7:31 מִקְלָע֔וֹת miqelaot HNcfpa engravings sculpted reliefs
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