מָשָׁל
𐤌𐤔𐤋
Mashal
H4913 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Mashal, a place name referring to a location allotted to the tribe of Asher in the territorial lists of the Hebrew Bible. The primary lexical meaning in this context is as a proper noun indicating a specific locality. Although the form is identical to the noun 'proverb, parable,' the place name itself is distinct from the common noun, and its use is limited to toponymic contexts.
Semantic Range
proper noun (place name); distinct from the common noun 'mashal' meaning 'proverb, parable,' with no evidence of associated metaphorical meaning in the toponymic use
Root / Etymology
From the root משל (m-sh-l), typically 'to rule, govern,' and by extension 'to compare, liken.' The name as a toponym is likely derived from the root's nuance of prominence or perhaps analogy, but its specific application to the place is unclear. Etymology for the place name Mashal remains uncertain beyond its clear morphological derivation from the root משל.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Mashal is listed among the towns in the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:26; 21:30, referenced as a Levitical city of the Gershonites). The identical spelling to the noun meaning 'proverb, parable' is noteworthy but there is no indication that the city's name derives from or is related contextually to 'proverb' in any concrete sense. The name reflects a broader ancient Near Eastern toponymic tradition of using verbs or noun forms as place names. English translations commonly render מָשָׁל simply as 'Mashal,' with no added semantic content, which is appropriate given its role as a proper name. No known extrabiblical evidence further illuminates its historical location or significance. In later Jewish tradition, the phonetic similarity with the common noun may have invited midrashic interpretations, but these are not relevant to its biblical usage as a place name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
for מִשְׁאָל; Mashal, a place in Palestine; Mashal.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot 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 |
| H4912 | מָשָׁל | the ruling saying |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4913-01 |
מָשָׁ֖ל | mashal | HNp |
Mashal | governing proverb | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4913-01 |
1 Chronicles 6:59 | מָשָׁ֖ל | mashal | HNp |
Mashal | governing proverb |