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מִשְׁעוֹל

𐤌𐤔𐤏𐤅𐤋

mishʻôwl

H4934 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁעל to hollow, to depress, make a cavity

Definition

A narrow passage or footpath, often formed naturally or worn by traffic, especially one that is sunken or slightly lower than the surrounding land; used in reference to small or secondary routes compared to roads or main thoroughfares.

Semantic Range

hollowed footpath, narrow passage, sunken track, small trail

Root / Etymology

The term is derived from the root שׁעל (shaʻal), which in its noun form (שֹׁעַל) means 'hollow' or 'depression.' מִשְׁעוֹל appears to be a derivative denoting something characterized by being hollowed or indented, i.e., a sunken footpath. The root meaning 'hollow' informs the specific type of path referred to: one that is recessed or trodden down.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מִשְׁעוֹל occurs rarely (cf. Judges 5:6), indicating a pathway of a distinct character—narrow and probably sunken relative to the landscape. Such paths were used by people and possibly livestock, distinct from main roads (דֶּרֶךְ) or broader tracks. In later periods, the term does not persist in common Hebrew usage, and its translation as simply 'path' in English contexts lacks the nuance of its original sense—a hollowed or sunken track. It serves as a contrast to other Hebrew terms for roads or ways, which may imply more formality or use by vehicles. The meaning did not significantly develop after the early biblical period, and it is largely absent from post-exilic texts. Modern translations such as 'footpath' or 'trail' better capture its nuanced sense than the general 'path.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as שֹׁעַל; a hollow, i.e. a narrow passage; path.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׁעל (sh-ʿ-l) — to hollow, to depress, make a cavity

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8169 שַׁעַלְבִים and in Fox-Dens

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4934-01 בְּ/מִשְׁע֖וֹל bemisheol HR/Ncmsc in the path in a hollowed footpath of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4934-01 Numbers 22:24 בְּ/מִשְׁע֖וֹל bemisheol HR/Ncmsc in the path in a hollowed footpath of
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