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מָשַׁל

𐤌𐤔𐤋

mâshal

H4911 verb

SILEX Entry

Root משל to make like, compare, resemble, use figurative language

Definition

To speak or communicate using analogy, comparison, parable, or proverbial expression; to cast into a form that elucidates a concept by likeness or metaphor. The verb may also mean 'to become like' or 'to resemble' in certain contexts. Primary uses involve introducing a teaching, warning, or observation by means of an illustrative or comparative saying, often within wisdom literature or prophetic discourse.

Semantic Range

to use a proverb, to speak in proverbs, to liken, to compare, to employ allegory or metaphor, to resemble, to be like, to give an illustrative saying

Root / Etymology

The verb מָשַׁל derives from the root משל (m-sh-l), which, in its noun form, primarily means 'proverb, parable, comparison.' As a verb, it is likely a denominative derived from the noun, reflecting the act of forming or giving a parable/comparison, rather than a Semitic root for 'likeness.' The core, ancient sense is to make similar (explicitly or implicitly) through spoken comparison.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מָשַׁל is characteristically used within wisdom contexts, such as in Proverbs and the teachings of sages, as well as in prophetic discourse when rhetorical force is gained by analogy or illustrative saying (e.g., in the book of Ezekiel). The sense of 'using a proverb' typically points to verbal instruction structured as a comparison or illustrative saying. In narrative genres, it can also refer to recognizably proverbial actions or utterances. Standard English translations sometimes restrict the meaning to specific genres, such as 'parable' for mashal in later periods, but the root sense is broader and may include metaphoric, allegorical, or aphoristic elements. The verb is often followed by the preposition בְּ ('in, with') to indicate the means or basis of the comparison. In later Hebrew (including post-biblical and rabbinic usage), the term mashal expands to cover more elaborate allegorical teachings, though in the biblical context it remains tied to succinct, illustrative modes of speech.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

denominative from מָשָׁל; to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble; be(-come) like, compare, use (as a) proverb, speak (in proverbs), utter.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

משל (m-š-l) — to make like, compare, resemble, use figurative language

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4474 מִמְשָׁל the dominions
H4475 מֶמְשָׁלָה the dominion
H4910 מָשַׁל I will rule
H4912 מָשָׁל the ruling saying
H4913 מָשָׁל governing proverb

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4911-10 וְ֝/נִמְשַׁ֗לְתִּי venimeshaleti HC/VNq1cs I be likened I was likened 2
H4911-06 נִמְשַׁ֖ל nimeshal HVNp3ms is like was likened 2
H4911-08 וּ/מְשֹׁ֣ל umeshol HC/Vqv2ms and speak and speak a parable 2
H4911-04 מְשֹׁ֛ל meshol HVqc to use to speak a parable 1
H4911-01 הַ/מֹּשֵׁ֔ל hamoshel HTd/Vqrmsa that uses proverbs the parable-speaker 1
H4911-11 וְ/תַמְשִׁל֖וּ/נִי vetameshiluni HC/Vhi2mp/Sp1cs and compare me you will liken me 1
H4911-02 הַ/מֹּשְׁלִ֖ים hamoshelim HTd/Vqrmpa the ballad singers the parable-speakers 1
H4911-09 וָ֝/אֶתְמַשֵּׁ֗ל vaetemashel HC/Vtw1cs and I am turned and I likened myself 1
H4911-05 מֹֽשְׁלִים֙ moshelim HVqrmpa using ruling ones 1
H4911-03 מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל memashel HVprmsa ruling parable-speaker 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4911-02 Numbers 21:27 הַ/מֹּשְׁלִ֖ים hamoshelim HTd/Vqrmpa the ballad singers the parable-speakers
H4911-07 Isaiah 14:10 נִמְשָֽׁלְתָּ nimeshaleta HVNp2ms have become you became like
H4911-11 Isaiah 46:5 וְ/תַמְשִׁל֖וּ/נִי vetameshiluni HC/Vhi2mp/Sp1cs and compare me you will liken me
H4911-12 Ezekiel 12:23 יִמְשְׁל֥וּ yimeshelu HVqi3mp they-will-use-it they will speak in parables
H4911-01 Ezekiel 16:44 הַ/מֹּשֵׁ֔ל hamoshel HTd/Vqrmsa that uses proverbs the parable-speaker
H4911-13 Ezekiel 16:44 יִמְשֹׁ֖ל yimeshol HVqi3ms shall use he will speak in parable
H4911-08 Ezekiel 17:2 וּ/מְשֹׁ֣ל umeshol HC/Vqv2ms and speak and speak a parable
H4911-05 Ezekiel 18:2 מֹֽשְׁלִים֙ moshelim HVqrmpa using ruling ones
H4911-04 Ezekiel 18:3 מְשֹׁ֛ל meshol HVqc to use to speak a parable
H4911-03 Ezekiel 21:5 מְמַשֵּׁ֥ל memashel HVprmsa ruling parable-speaker
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