מָשָׁל (H4912) — Hebrew Lexicon

מָשָׁל

𐤌𐤔𐤋

mâshâl

H4912 noun

SILEX Entry

Root משׁל to rule, govern, have dominion, compare

Definition

A concise statement or saying, often figurative or metaphorical in nature, used for teaching, comparison, or illustration. The term refers broadly to various forms of wisdom literature including proverbs, aphorisms, poetic instructive compositions, riddles, parables, and occasionally to taunts or proverbial bywords. In some contexts, it denotes a standard of comparison or an example—positive or negative—used to communicate a wider truth or moral lesson.

Semantic Range

proverb, saying, maxim, aphorism, simile, metaphor, parable, fable, allegory, riddle, illustrative discourse, byword, taunt, example

Root / Etymology

From the root מ-ש-ל (משׁל), which has the core meaning 'to rule, govern, have dominion.' The noun form מָשָׁל likely arose metaphorically from the concept of something that 'governs' or 'provides a standard' in the realm of speech, thus denoting a saying that exercises influence through wisdom or comparison. Over time, the term evolved to signify various forms of wisdom statements, not limited to governance but expanding to comparison and instruction.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the patriarchal and monarchic periods, מָשָׁל commonly denoted proverbial wisdom or moral instruction delivered in concise, memorable phrases—often metaphorical or comparative. In the book of Proverbs (Mishlei), the term encompasses a broad array of wisdom compositions (proverb, riddle, moral maxim), conveying ethical and practical guidance. In prophetic and poetic texts, מָשָׁל can also signify a fable, parable, or an extended metaphor. Occasionally, as in Deuteronomy 28:37 and 1 Kings 9:7, it marks a saying of derision or a byword—a negative example to be cited by others. In post-exilic and later literature, the semantic scope broadened to include allegory and parable. Standard English translations as 'proverb' or 'parable' tend to narrow the meaning, sometimes missing the full range from wise sayings to taunt songs or illustrative stories. מָשָׁל is distinguished from חִידָה (ḥidah, riddle) by its emphasis on simile or metaphor more than enigma, and from אָמַר (amar, to say) by its stylistic and didactic nature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently from מָשַׁל in some original sense of superiority in mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse); byword, like, parable, proverb.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

משל (m-š-l) — rule, govern, exercise dominion, compare

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H4474	מִמְשָׁל	the dominions
H4475	מֶמְשָׁלָה	the dominion
H4910	מָשַׁל	I will rule
H4911	מָשַׁל	the parable-speaker
H4913	מָשָׁל	governing proverb
H4914	מְשֹׁל	to rule
H4915	מֹשֶׁל	like his ruler

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H4912-06`	מְשָׁל֖/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his oracle	his proverb	9
`H4912-03`	מָשָׁ֑ל	mashal	`HNcmsa`	parable	governing saying	7
`H4912-02`	לְ/מָשָׁ֖ל	lemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	a proverb	for a ruling saying	6
`H4912-01`	הַ/מָּשָׁ֥ל	hamashal	`HTd/Ncmsa`	is the proverb	the ruling saying	5
`H4912-07`	מִ֭שְׁלֵי	misheley	`HNcmpc`	proverbs-of	proverb-sayings of	4
`H4912-05`	מְשָׁלִ֖ים	meshalim	`HNcmpa`	parables	governing sayings	2
`H4912-09`	וּ֝/מָשָׁ֗ל	umashal	`HC/Ncmsa`	and a proverb	and he ruled	2
`H4912-08`	וּ/לְ/מָשָׁל֙	ulemashal	`HC/R/Ncmsa`	and-for-proverb	and for a proverb	1
`H4912-11`	בְ/מָשָׁ֣ל	vemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	in a parable	in a proverb	1
`H4912-04`	מְשַׁל֙	meshal	`HNcmsc`	proverb	Rule	1
`H4912-10`	וְ/לִ/מְשָׁלִ֔ים	velimeshalim	`HC/R/Ncmpa`	and-for-proverbs	and for governing-sayings	1

Occurrences in Scripture

39 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H4912-06`	Numbers 23:7	מְשָׁל֖/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his parable	his proverb
`H4912-06`	Numbers 23:18	מְשָׁל֖/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his oracle	his proverb
`H4912-06`	Numbers 24:3	מְשָׁל֖/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his oracle	his proverb
`H4912-06`	Numbers 24:15	מְשָׁל֖/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his oracle	his proverb
`H4912-06`	Numbers 24:20	מְשָׁל֖/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his discourse	his proverb
`H4912-06`	Numbers 24:21	מְשָׁל֖/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his oracle	his proverb
`H4912-06`	Numbers 24:23	מְשָׁל֖/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his oracle	his proverb
`H4912-02`	Deuteronomy 28:37	לְ/מָשָׁ֖ל	lemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	a proverb	for a ruling saying
`H4912-02`	1 Samuel 10:12	לְ/מָשָׁ֔ל	lemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	a proverb	for a ruling saying
`H4912-04`	1 Samuel 24:14	מְשַׁל֙	meshal	`HNcmsc`	proverb	Rule
`H4912-03`	1 Kings 5:12	מָשָׁ֑ל	mashal	`HNcmsa`	proverbs	governing saying
`H4912-02`	1 Kings 9:7	לְ/מָשָׁ֥ל	lemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	a proverb	for a ruling saying
`H4912-01`	Isaiah 14:4	הַ/מָּשָׁ֥ל	hamashal	`HTd/Ncmsa`	this proverb	the ruling saying
`H4912-08`	Jeremiah 24:9	וּ/לְ/מָשָׁל֙	ulemashal	`HC/R/Ncmsa`	and-for-proverb	and for a proverb
`H4912-01`	Ezekiel 12:22	הַ/מָּשָׁ֤ל	hamashal	`HTd/Ncmsa`	is the proverb	the ruling saying
`H4912-01`	Ezekiel 12:23	הַ/מָּשָׁ֣ל	hamashal	`HTd/Ncmsa`	the-proverb	the ruling saying
`H4912-10`	Ezekiel 14:8	וְ/לִ/מְשָׁלִ֔ים	velimeshalim	`HC/R/Ncmpa`	and-for-proverbs	and for governing-sayings
`H4912-03`	Ezekiel 17:2	מָשָׁ֑ל	mashal	`HNcmsa`	a parable	governing saying
`H4912-01`	Ezekiel 18:2	הַ/מָּשָׁ֣ל	hamashal	`HTd/Ncmsa`	proverb	the ruling saying
`H4912-01`	Ezekiel 18:3	הַ/מָּשָׁ֥ל	hamashal	`HTd/Ncmsa`	the proverb	the ruling saying
`H4912-05`	Ezekiel 21:5	מְשָׁלִ֖ים	meshalim	`HNcmpa`	parables	governing sayings
`H4912-03`	Ezekiel 24:3	מָשָׁ֔ל	mashal	`HNcmsa`	parable	governing saying
`H4912-03`	Micah 2:4	מָשָׁ֗ל	mashal	`HNcmsa`	a taunt	governing saying
`H4912-03`	Habakkuk 2:6	מָשָׁ֣ל	mashal	`HNcmsa`	parable	governing saying
`H4912-03`	Psalms 44:15	מָ֭שָׁל	mashal	`HNcmsa`	a byword	governing saying
`H4912-02`	Psalms 49:5	לְ/מָשָׁ֣ל	lemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	to a proverb	for a ruling saying
`H4912-02`	Psalms 69:12	לְ/מָשָֽׁל	lemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	a byword	for a ruling saying
`H4912-11`	Psalms 78:2	בְ/מָשָׁ֣ל	vemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	in a parable	in a proverb
`H4912-07`	Proverbs 1:1	מִ֭שְׁלֵי	misheley	`HNcmpc`	Proverbs of	proverb-sayings of
`H4912-03`	Proverbs 1:6	מָ֭שָׁל	mashal	`HNcmsa`	a proverb	governing saying
`H4912-07`	Proverbs 10:1	מִשְׁלֵ֗י	misheley	`HNcmpc`	Proverbs of	proverb-sayings of
`H4912-07`	Proverbs 25:1	מִשְׁלֵ֣י	misheley	`HNcmpc`	proverbs-of	proverb-sayings of
`H4912-09`	Proverbs 26:7	וּ֝/מָשָׁ֗ל	umashal	`HC/Ncmsa`	and a proverb	and he ruled
`H4912-09`	Proverbs 26:9	וּ֝/מָשָׁ֗ל	umashal	`HC/Ncmsa`	and-proverb	and he ruled
`H4912-07`	Job 13:12	מִשְׁלֵי	misheley	`HNcmpc`	proverbs-of	proverb-sayings of
`H4912-06`	Job 27:1	מְשָׁל֗/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his	his proverb
`H4912-06`	Job 29:1	מְשָׁל֗/וֹ	meshalo	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his proverb	his proverb
`H4912-05`	Ecclesiastes 12:9	מְשָׁלִ֥ים	meshalim	`HNcmpa`	proverbs	governing sayings
`H4912-02`	2 Chronicles 7:20	לְ/מָשָׁ֥ל	lemashal	`HR/Ncmsa`	a proverb	for a ruling saying

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