A wonder or sign draws attention to something the passage identifies, whether an extraordinary event, a stated prediction or a person appointed as a visible message. In First Kings an announced splitting of the altar happens as the man of God said.
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Reader summary
Full entry for מוֹפֵת (H4159) · Open the biblical lexicon
A wonder or sign draws attention to something the passage identifies, whether an extraordinary event, a stated prediction or a person appointed as a visible message. In First Kings an announced splitting of the altar happens as the man of God said.
The BSB source-word alignment has 36 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and wonders (11), a sign (6), wonders (3), His marvels (2), a miracle (1).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 4:21. Its strongest book concentrations include Deuteronomy (9), Exodus (5), Psalms (5), Ezekiel (4).
A wonder or sign draws attention to something the passage identifies, whether an extraordinary event, a stated prediction or a person appointed as a visible message. In First Kings an announced splitting of the altar happens as the man of God said. Ezekiel carries baggage and acts out departure as a sign of coming exile. Deuteronomy considers even a sign that comes about while its speaker urges worship of other gods, and commands the people not to listen to that invitation.
An impressive occurrence cannot therefore replace examination of the message. Ask who gives the sign, what it signifies and how the text evaluates it. The word is not a credential for every unusual experience or a general code for interpreting accidents. Its use in Psalm 71 also leaves the speaker seeking God as refuge, rather than claiming that being remarkable to others removes weakness or need.
The altar sign, enacted exile, wonders in Egypt and a warning about misleading signs give distinct settings. Each must retain its declared meaning and the passage's evaluation of the accompanying message.
That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The Lord has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’”
The man of God announces a specific sign concerning the altar; verse 5 reports the split and poured-out ashes according to the word given.
You are to say, ‘I am a sign to you.’ Just as it happened here, so will it be done to them; they will go into exile as captives.
Ezekiel is identified as a sign to the people, and the explanation names exile as captives, supplying a meaning rather than leaving the action open to invented symbolism.
If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you,
The following verses consider a fulfilled sign accompanied by an invitation to other gods and command refusal of that message; fulfillment alone does not settle allegiance.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Hebrew word. A visible, extraordinary sign demonstrating divine power; often paired with signs establishing covenant identity and God's authority
A visible, extraordinary sign demonstrating divine power; often paired with signs establishing covenant identity and God's authority
a miracle; by implication, a token or omen BDB: wonder Usage: miracle, sign, wonder(-ed at).
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 1 selected witness from 36 lexical occurrence verses.
מוֹפֵת is built from this root:
The enacted prophecy serves as a caution against false reliance.Isaiah 20:1-6
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
A sign calls for attention, but the account still tells the reader how to understand what is noticed. First Kings supplies both an announced altar sign and the narrated fulfillment. Ezekiel's baggage and departure are explained as a portrayal of exile, not a symbolic puzzle for unlimited speculation. Deuteronomy goes further by refusing a message that leads to other gods even when the proposed sign comes about.
These passages place message and allegiance beside the event's impressiveness. A teacher should therefore state the text's own explanation before drawing any application. The word alone cannot grant a speaker prophetic authority, diagnose a household's misfortune or make coincidence a command. Psalm 71's speaker, remarkable to many, continues to name God as refuge and ask for help in old age; attention from others does not eliminate dependence.
Deut.13.1
The licensed Hebrew range includes wonder, sign or portent. A human being can be named as a sign, so the noun should not be restricted to a spectacle; the immediate explanation identifies what the event or person signifies.
Acts 2:17-21 explicitly quotes Joel's promise, including wonders, the Day of the Lord and calling on His name. This quoted connection does not make the Hebrew and Greek terms one identity or authenticate every unusual report. The quotation and Peter's following witness about Jesus supply the canonical setting rather than a modern omen-reading method.