What does מָשָׁל (māšāl) mean in the Bible?
מָשָׁל (māšāl): A pointed comparison or saying that embeds wisdom through figurative language, not literal instruction
Hebrew · H4912
מָשָׁל
Properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
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מָשָׁלH4912
Pronunciationmāšāl
What does מָשָׁל (māšāl) mean in the Bible?
מָשָׁל (māšāl): A pointed comparison or saying that embeds wisdom through figurative language, not literal instruction
Full entry for מָשָׁל (H4912) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4912?
The BSB source-word alignment has 39 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include an oracle (7), proverb (4), proverbs (3), . . . (2), a proverb (2).
Where does מָשָׁל (māšāl) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Numbers 23:7. Its strongest book concentrations include Ezekiel (8), Numbers (7), Proverbs (6), Psalms (4).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itan oracle7×Numbers 23:7, Numbers 23:18, Numbers 24:3, Numbers 24:15
proverb4×1 Samuel 24:13, Ezekiel 12:22, Ezekiel 12:23, Ezekiel 18:3
proverbs3×1 Kings 4:32, Proverbs 25:1, Ecclesiastes 12:9
. . .2×Ezekiel 17:2, Ezekiel 24:3
a proverb2×1 Samuel 10:12, Micah 2:4
an object of scorn2×1 Kings 9:7, 2 Chronicles 7:20
his discourse2×Job 27:1, Job 29:1
is a proverb2×Proverbs 26:7, Proverbs 26:9
the proverbs2×Proverbs 1:6, Proverbs 10:1
-1×Ezekiel 18:2
[These are] the proverbs1×Proverbs 1:1
a byword1×Psalms 44:14
a taunt1×Habakkuk 2:6
and a proverb1×Ezekiel 14:8
and an object of scorn1×Jeremiah 24:9
are proverbs1×Job 13:12
in parables1×Psalms 78:2
parables1×Ezekiel 20:49
scorn1×Deuteronomy 28:37
song of contempt1×Isaiah 14:4
sport1×Psalms 69:11
to a proverb1×Psalms 49:4
Show sample aligned rows
Numbers 23:7מְשָׁל֖וֹtoan oracleNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularNumbers 23:18מְשָׁל֖וֹtoan oracleNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularNumbers 24:3מְשָׁל֖וֹtoan oracleNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularNumbers 24:15מְשָׁל֖וֹtoan oracleNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularNumbers 24:20מְשָׁל֖וֹtoan oracleNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularNumbers 24:21מְשָׁל֖וֹtoan oracleNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularNumbers 24:23מְשָׁל֖וֹtoan oracleNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 28:37לְמָשָׁ֖לtoscornPreposition-l | Noun - masculine singular1 Samuel 10:12לְמָשָׁ֔לtoa proverbPreposition-l | Noun - masculine singular1 Samuel 24:13מְשַׁל֙toproverbNoun - masculine singular construct
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowNumbers 23:7
Aligned rows39
Books represented14
Numbers7Deuteronomy11 Samuel21 Kings22 Chronicles1Job3Psalms4Proverbs6Ecclesiastes1Isaiah1Jeremiah1Ezekiel8Micah1Habakkuk1
Source forms
מְשָׁל֖וֹ7xmə·šā·lōwNumbers 23:7, Numbers 23:18, Numbers 24:3, Numbers 24:15
הַמָּשָׁ֥ל2xham·mā·šālIsaiah 14:4, Ezekiel 18:3
הַמָּשָׁ֣ל2xham·mā·šālEzekiel 12:23, Ezekiel 18:2
וּ֝מָשָׁ֗ל2xū·mā·šālProverbs 26:7, Proverbs 26:9
לְמָשָׁ֥ל2xlə·mā·šāl1 Kings 9:7, 2 Chronicles 7:20
מָשָׁ֑ל2xmā·šāl1 Kings 4:32, Ezekiel 17:2
מָ֭שָׁל2xmā·šālPsalms 44:14, Proverbs 1:6
מְשָׁל֗וֹ2xmə·šā·lōwJob 27:1, Job 29:1
Parsing patterns
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular9xNumbers 23:7, Numbers 23:18, Numbers 24:3, Numbers 24:15
Noun - masculine singular7x1 Kings 4:32, Psalms 44:14, Proverbs 1:6, Ezekiel 17:2
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular6xDeuteronomy 28:37, 1 Samuel 10:12, 1 Kings 9:7, 2 Chronicles 7:20
Article | Noun - masculine singular5xIsaiah 14:4, Ezekiel 12:22, Ezekiel 12:23, Ezekiel 18:2
Noun - masculine plural construct4xJob 13:12, Proverbs 1:1, Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 25:1
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular2xProverbs 26:7, Proverbs 26:9
Noun - masculine plural2xEcclesiastes 12:9, Ezekiel 20:49
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural1xEzekiel 14:8
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. A pointed comparison or saying that embeds wisdom through figurative language, not literal instruction
Source Gloss
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
A pointed comparison or saying that embeds wisdom through figurative language, not literal instruction
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse) BDB: proverb Usage: byword, like, parable, proverb.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
Collection of wise sayings, pithy maxims compiled by scribes
A saying that is ineffective or misapplied, like a lame leg
A saying in mouth of a fool, dangerous like a thorn in drunkard's hand
Showing 3 selected witnesses from 39 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
מָשָׁל is built from this root:
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.