What does מָעַל (māʿal) mean in the Bible?
מָעַל (māʿal): Treachery through hidden action; covenant-breaking unfaithfulness that conceals its true nature from the injured party
Hebrew · H4603
מָעַל
Properly, to cover up ; used only figuratively, to act covertly , i.e. treacherously
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מָעַלH4603
Pronunciationmāʿal
What does מָעַל (māʿal) mean in the Bible?
מָעַל (māʿal): Treachery through hidden action; covenant-breaking unfaithfulness that conceals its true nature from the injured party
Full entry for מָעַל (H4603) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4603?
The BSB source-word alignment has 35 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include acts (2), have been unfaithful (2), unfaithful (2), were unfaithful (2), . . . (1).
Where does מָעַל (māʿal) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Leviticus 5:15. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Chronicles (8), Ezekiel (7), Joshua (4), 1 Chronicles (3).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itacts2×Leviticus 5:15, Numbers 5:6
have been unfaithful2×Ezra 10:2, Ezra 10:10
unfaithful2×Joshua 22:20, 2 Chronicles 28:22
were unfaithful2×2 Chronicles 29:6, 2 Chronicles 30:7
. . .1×1 Chronicles 10:13
acted1×Joshua 7:1
against1×Ezekiel 20:27
and acting unfaithfully1×Nehemiah 13:27
and acts1×Leviticus 6:2
and been unfaithful1×Numbers 5:27
and had been most unfaithful1×2 Chronicles 28:19
and is unfaithful1×Numbers 5:12
are unfaithful1×Nehemiah 1:8
Because of the unfaithfulness1×Ezekiel 18:24
betray1×Proverbs 16:10
both of you broke faith1×Deuteronomy 32:51
breach of faith1×Joshua 22:16
But they were unfaithful1×1 Chronicles 5:25
by acting unfaithfully1×Ezekiel 14:13
by violating1×1 Chronicles 2:7
committed1×Joshua 22:31
for the treason1×Ezekiel 17:20
He was unfaithful1×2 Chronicles 26:16
the treachery1×Ezekiel 39:26
their unfaithful deeds1×2 Chronicles 36:14
they had been unfaithful1×2 Chronicles 12:2
they have acted unfaithfully1×Ezekiel 15:8
they practiced1×Leviticus 26:40
they were unfaithful1×Ezekiel 39:23
you have acted unfaithfully1×2 Chronicles 26:18
Show sample aligned rows
Leviticus 5:15תִמְעֹ֣לtoactsVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularLeviticus 6:2וּמָעֲלָ֥הtoand actsConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singularLeviticus 26:40מָֽעֲלוּ־tothey practicedVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralNumbers 5:6לִמְעֹ֥לtoactsPreposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructNumbers 5:12וּמָעֲלָ֥הtoand is unfaithfulConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singularNumbers 5:27וַתִּמְעֹ֣לtoand been unfaithfulConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularDeuteronomy 32:51מְעַלְתֶּ֜םtoboth of you broke faithVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine pluralJoshua 7:1וַיִּמְעֲל֧וּtoactedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralJoshua 22:16מְעַלְתֶּם֙tobreach of faithVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine pluralJoshua 22:20מָ֤עַלtounfaithfulVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowLeviticus 5:15
Aligned rows35
Books represented11
Leviticus3Numbers3Deuteronomy1Joshua41 Chronicles32 Chronicles8Ezra2Nehemiah2Proverbs1Ezekiel7Daniel1
Source forms
מָֽעֲלוּ־3xmā·‘ă·lū-Leviticus 26:40, Ezekiel 39:23, Daniel 9:7
וּמָעֲלָ֥ה2xū·mā·‘ă·lāhLeviticus 6:2, Numbers 5:12
בְּמַעֲלָ֥ם1xbə·ma·‘ă·lāmEzekiel 20:27
וַיִּמְעַ֖ל1xway·yim·‘al2 Chronicles 26:16
וַיִּמְעֲל֧וּ1xway·yim·‘ă·lūJoshua 7:1
וַיִּֽמְעֲל֔וּ1xway·yim·‘ă·lū1 Chronicles 5:25
וּמָע֥וֹל1xū·mā·‘ō·wl2 Chronicles 28:19
וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל1xwat·tim·‘ōlNumbers 5:27
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural8xLeviticus 26:40, 2 Chronicles 12:2, 2 Chronicles 29:6, 2 Chronicles 30:7
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct5xNumbers 5:6, 2 Chronicles 28:22, 2 Chronicles 36:14, Nehemiah 13:27
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular5xJoshua 22:20, 1 Chronicles 2:7, 1 Chronicles 10:13, Ezekiel 17:20
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural4xDeuteronomy 32:51, Joshua 22:16, Joshua 22:31, Ezra 10:10
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular2xLeviticus 6:2, Numbers 5:12
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural2xJoshua 7:1, 1 Chronicles 5:25
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular1xNumbers 5:27
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1x2 Chronicles 26:16
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Treachery through hidden action; covenant-breaking unfaithfulness that conceals its true nature from the injured party
Strong'sH4603
Lexical occurrences36 versesWord forms1 form23 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkLeviticus 5:14-19Source Gloss
properly, to cover up ; used only figuratively, to act covertly , i.e. treacherously
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Treachery through hidden action; covenant-breaking unfaithfulness that conceals its true nature from the injured party
properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously BDB: act unfaithfully Usage: transgress, (commit, do a) trespass(-ing).
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms23
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense22×
Perfect2Chr 12:2 · 2Chr 29:6 · 2Chr 30:7 · Dan 9:7 · Ezek 15:8 · Ezek 39:23 · Ezek 39:26 · Lev 26:40 · 1Chr 2:7 · 1Chr 10:13 · Ezek 17:20 · Ezek 18:24 · Josh 22:20 · Deut 32:51 · Ezra 10:10 · Josh 22:1619×
ImperfectLev 5:15 · Neh 1:8 · Prov 16:103×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
Unintentional transgression against holy things requiring guilt offering
Treacherous unfaithfulness in covenant relationships, deliberate deception
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 36 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
מָעַל is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.