Judges 1:36

וּגְבוּל֙ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֖ה עַקְרַבִּ֑ים מֵֽהַסֶּ֖לַע וָמָֽעְלָה
And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
Connections

Numbers 34:4

וְנָסַב לָכֶם הַגְּבוּל מִנֶּגֶב לְמַֽעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים וְעָבַר צִנָה ‫(והיה)‬ וְהָיוּ תּֽוֹצְאֹתָיו מִנֶּגֶב לְקָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ וְיָצָא חֲצַר-אַדָּר וְעָבַר עַצְמֹֽנָה׃
4
And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadesh-barnea, and shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass on to Azmon:

Joshua 15:2

וַיְהִי לָהֶם גְּבוּל נֶגֶב מִקְצֵה יָם הַמֶּלַח מִן-הַלָּשֹׁן הַפֹּנֶה נֶֽגְבָּה׃
2
And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:
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Judges 1:36
Masoretic Phrasing
The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וּגְבוּל֙ Pashta — a lesser break הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י Zaqef Qatan — a strong break מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֖ה Tipeha — a lesser break עַקְרַבִּ֑ים Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here מֵֽהַסֶּ֖לַע Tipeha — a lesser break וָמָֽעְלָה Silluq — end of the verse
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Word Parts
וּ גְבוּל֙
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
גְבוּל֙
Root word border, coast, coasts, borders, bound, …
Dictionary form: גְּבוּל · ɡeh-BOOL
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Ncmsc
Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word
וּ Speech Conjunction
גְבוּל Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
In English
In the KJV here: and the coast
the border ×45 and the border ×38 border ×13 and the coast ×12 the coasts ×11 the coast ×10 thy borders ×8 the borders ×7
More options
boundary — Most versatile modern term; fits legal and geographical contexts.
border — Good for political or national frontiers; modernizes KJV directly.
territory — Emphasizes the region enclosed, not just the line.
limit — Prefer when stressing a constraint or endpoint.
landmark — Use for a physical marker defining a boundary.
frontier — Suits contexts of contested or outer edges of a land.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB1431 H1366

BDB1430 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1432

(ה)גבול Josh 15:47 Kt; read הַגָּדוֺל Vrss. Manuscripts compare vJosh 15:12.

BDB1437 H1366

BDB1436 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1438

גְּבוּל240 noun masculineNum 34:3 border, boundary, territory (Late Hebrew id., Punic gubulim (plural, PlautPoen. i. 9) — גָּבוּל Gen 10:19 + 168 t. + Josh 15:47 Kt (but read Qr גָּדוֺל); גְּבֻל Num 21:13 + 9 t.; (both, in absolute & construct, e.g. absolute Num 22:36; Num 34:8, construct Gen 10:19; 2Sam 21:5); suffix גְּבוּלִי 1Chr 4:10, גְּבוּלְךָ Exod 7:27, גְבֻלְךָ Exod 23:31 + 3 t., etc.; plural (8 t.) only suffix גְּבוּלֶיךָ Jer 15:13; Jer 17:3, etc.; —

1. border, boundary,
  a. of a land or people: Canaanites Gen 10:19 (J), Edom Num 20:23; Josh 15:1; Josh 15:21 (all P) compare Obad 1:7, Amorites Num 21:13 (E) Josh 13:4 (D) compare Josh 12:5 (D) Judg 1:36, Moab Num 21:13; Num 21:15; Num 22:36 (E) Num 33:44 (P) Deut 2:18; Judg 11:18 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 3:21; Isa 15:8, Ammon Num 21:24 (E) Deut 3:16; Josh 12:2; Josh 13:10 (all D) Amos 1:3, Bashan Josh 12:4 (D), Egypt 1Kgs 5:1 = 2Chr 9:26; Isa 19:19 especially of promised land Exod 23:31; Exod 34:24 (JE) Num 34:3 + 13 t. Num 34 (all P) Deut 11:24; Deut 12:20; Deut 16:4; Josh 1:4 (D), compare Ezek 45:1 10 t. Ezek 45-48; also of Israel 2Kgs 14:25; Amos 6:2; Mal 1:5.
  b. boundary of smaller divisions, e.g. Geshurites Deut 3:14; Josh 12:5; Josh 13:11 (all D), compare Josh 16:2; Josh 16:3 (J) Josh 19:12 (P); especially of tribes of Israel Deut 3:16; Deut 3:17; Josh 13:30 (all D) Josh 13:16 + 60 t. Josh 13-19 (P); — Josh 15:47 read גדול see above; Josh 22:25 (P) & Josh 17:8; Josh 18:11; Josh 24:30 (JE), compare 1Chr 6:39; 1Chr 6:51; 2Chr 11:13; Ezek 48:1 + 15 t. Ezek 48 (including vEzek 48:22 vEzek 48:22 q. strike out Co); — in 1Sam 13:18 read for גְּבוּל, הַגֶּבַע ᵐ5 We Dr.
  c. boundary of territory belonging to an individual, — of field, piece of ground, etc. Gen 23:17 (P) Deut 19:14; Deut 27:17; Josh 24:30 (E) = Judg 2:9; 1Chr 4:10; Prov 15:25; Prov 22:28; Prov 23:10; Hos 5:10.
  d. border of stream Num 22:36.
  e. limit to waters of deep Ps 104:9 compare Jer 5:22. feminine a concrete object marking limit, (α) barrier in Ezekiel's temple Ezek 40:12 (strike out ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co) vEzek 40:12 (β) border of altar Ezek 43:13; Ezek 43:17; Ezek 43:20 (γ) surrounding wall of restored Zion Isa 54:12 (so ᵐ5 Ew Kn Che; De Brd territory, Di undecided).
2. territory (enclosed within boundary),
  a. of land or people Gen 47:21 (J) Exod 7:27 (P) Exod 10:4; Exod 10:14 (|| ארץ) vExod 10:19; Exod 13:7 (all J), Num 20:16; Num 20:17; Num 20:21; Num 21:22 (E; || ארץ) = Judg 11:20; Num 21:23 (E) Deut 2:4; Deut 19:3 (אַרְצְךָ ׳גּ) vDeut 19:8; Deut 28:40; Josh 18:5 (twice in verse) (E) Judg 11:22; Judg 19:29; 2Sam 21:5; 1Kgs 1:3; 2Kgs 10:32; 1Chr 21:12 (|| ארץ) Ps 105:31 (= ארץ in || Ezek 8:16; Ezek 8:17) vEzek 8:33; Ezek 147:14; Jer 31:17; Ezek 11:10; Ezek 11:11; Joel 4:6; Zeph 2:8.
  b. territory of a city (or limit of such territory) Num 35:26; Num 35:27; Josh 13:26; Judg 1:18 (3 t. in verse); Ezek 47:16 (twice in verse); Ezek 47:17 (twice in verse) (strike out ᵐ5 Co) Ezek 48:1; Amos 6:2.
  c. territory about Ezekiel's temple Ezek 43:12.
  d. plural in like sense (only use of plural), of land Mic 5:5; Isa 60:18 (|| ארץ) Jer 15:13; Jer 17:13, of city 1Sam 5:6; 2Kgs 15:16; 2Kgs 18:8 so Ezek 27:4 of Tyre.
  e. figurative territory (region) of darkness Job 38:20 territory of wickedness Mal 1:4 (of Edom); territory of his holiness Ps 78:54 (of Canaan).

Strong's Definition H1366
border, coast, coasts, borders, bound, …
gĕbûl
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
  • border, territory
    • border
      • "territory (enclosed within boundary)"region, territory (of darkness) (figuratively)
Variations 48 forms of this word
Translations 72 English renderings
Border
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Word Parts
הָ ֽאֱמֹרִ֔י
הָ
Prefix — article the
ֽאֱמֹרִ֔י
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Of the amorites")
Dictionary form: אֱמֹרִי · eh-moh-REE
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Td/Ngmsa
Noun — Gentilic, masculine singular, absolute state a people-group name (like "Hittite")
הָ Speech Particle Type Definite Article
אֱמֹרִי Speech Noun Type Gentilic Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: of the amorites
of the amorites ×38 the amorites ×17 and the amorites ×13 the amorite ×6 and the amorite ×2 of the amorite ×2 against you the amorites ×1 also and the amorite ×1
More options
Amorite — Standard singular form; use for individual or adjectival contexts.
Amorites — Standard plural; most common in narrative and lists.
Amorite people — Emphasizes collective ethnic identity of the group.
Amorite nation — Highlights political or territorial dimension of the group.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB564 H567

BDB563 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB565

אֱמֹרִי proper name, masculine collective (construed as plural Deut 3:9 + 5 t.) Amorites (perhaps = mountain-dwellers, compare Num 13:29; Deut 1:7; Deut 1:19f. etc. & Di Gen 10:16 and elsewhere)

**meaning mountain-dwellers very dubious; on ׳א = Egyptian 'A-ma-ra see WMMAs.u.Eur.229ff., = Tel Amarna and Assyrian Amurru, see WklTelAm. 36* JastrEB CANAAN, § 10 SayHast.DB AMORITES and others; compare also GFMJudg 4:5 DrDt l.7 GrayNum 13:29. — always with article, except Num 21:29; Ezek 16:45.
1. called son of Canaan Gen 10:16 (J) 1Chr 1:14 =
2. a chief people dispossessed by Hebrews; (a) living east of Jordan Num 21:13 (twice in verse); Num 21:25 + 9 t. Numbers + Josh 24:8 (all E), compare Josh 2:10; Josh 9:10 (JE) Deut 1:4; Deut 3:2; Deut 3:9 + 7 t. D; also Judg 10:8; Judg 10:11; Judg 11:19; Judg 11:21; Judg 11:23 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 4:19; Ps 135:11; Ps 136:19 (Sihon their king Num 21:1 +; Sihon & Og Deut 3:8 + ); (b) living west of Jordan Josh 10:5; Josh 10:6; Josh 24:12; Josh 24:15; Josh 24:18 (all E), compare Josh 7:7 (JE); Josh 5:1; Josh 10:12 (both D; compare also Josh 13:4, q. strike out Di) Judg 1:34; Judg 1:35; Judg 1:36; Judg 6:10; 1Kgs 21:26; 2Kgs 21:11 compare 1Sam 21:2 (c) living in south Deut 1:7; Deut 1:19; Deut 1:20; Deut 1:27; Deut 1:44 compare Gen 14:7 (west of Dead Sea); (d) in general = ancient inhabitants of Canaan Gen 15:16 (J or R) Gen 48:22 (E) Amos 2:9; Amos 2:10 (e) named in list of Canaanitish peoples, to be dispossessed by Israel Exod 3:8; Exod 3:17; Exod 13:5; Exod 33:2; Exod 34:11; Josh 3:10; Josh 9:1 (all J); Deut 7:1; Deut 20:17; Josh 11:3; Josh 12:8 (all D); Exod 23:23; Num 13:29; Josh 24:11 (all E); Judg 3:5; 1Kgs 9:20; 2Chr 8:7; Ezra 9:1; Neh 9:8 compare Ezek 16:3; Ezek 16:45 (on these lists compare BuUrgesch 344 ff. & WeJBTh xxi. 602.)
3. adjective, of a people singular Gen 14:13; Deut 2:24.

Strong's Definition H567
amorites, amorite
ʾĕmōrî
a sayer
an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes
  • one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt
Variations 10 forms of this word
Translations 15 English renderings
Amorites
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Word Parts
מִֽ מַּעֲלֵ֖ה
מִֽ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
מַּעֲלֵ֖ה
Root word akrabbim, maaleh-acrabbim
Dictionary form: מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים · ma-uh-LAY ak-rahb-BEEM
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar R/Ncmsc
Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word
מִֽ Speech Preposition
מַּעֲלֵה Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Construct
In English
In the KJV here: was from the going up
of akrabbim ×1 to akrabbim ×1 to maaleh-acrabbim ×1
More options
Scorpion Pass — Most natural modern English; vivid and geographically clear.
Akrabbim Ascent — Retains transliterated name for readers valuing textual fidelity.
Scorpion Ascent — Literal translation of both elements; formal register.
the Ascent of Akrabbim — Full phrase form; suits narrative or geographical listings.
Scorpion Slope — Slightly more vivid; good for descriptive or popular translations.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6079 H4608 H4610 H131 H1032 H1483 H2776 H3872 H6731

BDB6078 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6080

מַעֲלֶה19 noun masculineIsa 15:5 ascent; — ׳מ Neh 12:37 construct מַעֲלֵה Josh 10:10 + 14 t.; מַעֲלָו֯ Ezek 40:31; Ezek 40:34; Ezek 40:37

1. ascent of hill or mountain: to a city 1Sam 9:11, to the royal sepulchers (in Jerusalem) 2Chr 32:33 הַזֵּיתִית ׳מִ 2Sam 15:30 (see זַיִת 3); עַקְרַבִּים ׳מ = Srorpion-pass, on southern border of Palestine, Judg 1:36; Num 36:4; Josh 15:3 (both P), i.e. probably the Na‡b eƒ-ƒafâ southwest from Dead Sea BuhlGeogr. 16. 66 Di and GFM on the passage, and references; often defined by proper name, of a location: אֲדֻמִים ׳מ Josh 15:7; Josh 18:17, south of valley of Achor, between Jerusalem and Jericho, compare modern Tel`at ed-dâm BuhlGeogr. 98.; see also בֵּית חוֺרֹן I. גּוּר, II. חֶרֶס, לוּחִית, II. ציץ.
2. of stairs Ezek 40:31; Ezek 40:34; Ezek 40:37 to a wall Neh 12:27 מַעֵלֵה הַלִּוִיִּם Neh 9:4. p.111, 158, 357, 532, 851

BDB6335 H6137 H4610

BDB6334 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6336

עַקְרָב noun masculine scorpion (apparently quadriliteral; Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian a‡rabu; Ethiopic ; Arabic ; ᵑ7 עַקְרַבָּא);

**< [feminine] as in Late Hebrew, Syriac, Mandaean, Arabic (Levy gives Talmud [Aramaic] as masculine, but are readings correct?), Nöldeke (privately). — absolute עַקְרָב Deut 8:15 (collective; of wilderness), plural עַקְרַבִּים Ezek 2:6 (figurative of enemies); ׳יִסַּר בָּע 1Kgs 12:11; 1Kgs 12:14 = 2Chr 10:11; 2Chr 10:14, i.e. scourges with points, stings. — See also מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים.

Strong's Definition H4610
akrabbim, maaleh-acrabbim
maʿălē ʿaqrabbîm
ascent of scorpions
Steep of Scorpions, a place in the Desert
  • a pass on the southern border of Palestine
    • scorpion-pass; ascent of Akrabbim
Variations 1 forms of this word
Translations 3 English renderings
Akrabbim
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Word Parts
עַקְרַבִּ֑ים
עַקְרַבִּ֑ים
Root word a name — transliterate it ("To akrabbim")
Dictionary form: מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים · ma-uh-LAY ak-rahb-BEEM
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar Np
Noun — Proper Name
עַקְרַבִּים Speech Noun Type Proper Name
In English
In the KJV here: to akrabbim
of akrabbim ×1 to akrabbim ×1 to maaleh-acrabbim ×1
More options
Scorpion Pass — Most natural modern English; vivid and geographically clear.
Akrabbim Ascent — Retains transliterated name for readers valuing textual fidelity.
Scorpion Ascent — Literal translation of both elements; formal register.
the Ascent of Akrabbim — Full phrase form; suits narrative or geographical listings.
Scorpion Slope — Slightly more vivid; good for descriptive or popular translations.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6079 H4608 H4610 H131 H1032 H1483 H2776 H3872 H6731

BDB6078 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6080

מַעֲלֶה19 noun masculineIsa 15:5 ascent; — ׳מ Neh 12:37 construct מַעֲלֵה Josh 10:10 + 14 t.; מַעֲלָו֯ Ezek 40:31; Ezek 40:34; Ezek 40:37

1. ascent of hill or mountain: to a city 1Sam 9:11, to the royal sepulchers (in Jerusalem) 2Chr 32:33 הַזֵּיתִית ׳מִ 2Sam 15:30 (see זַיִת 3); עַקְרַבִּים ׳מ = Srorpion-pass, on southern border of Palestine, Judg 1:36; Num 36:4; Josh 15:3 (both P), i.e. probably the Na‡b eƒ-ƒafâ southwest from Dead Sea BuhlGeogr. 16. 66 Di and GFM on the passage, and references; often defined by proper name, of a location: אֲדֻמִים ׳מ Josh 15:7; Josh 18:17, south of valley of Achor, between Jerusalem and Jericho, compare modern Tel`at ed-dâm BuhlGeogr. 98.; see also בֵּית חוֺרֹן I. גּוּר, II. חֶרֶס, לוּחִית, II. ציץ.
2. of stairs Ezek 40:31; Ezek 40:34; Ezek 40:37 to a wall Neh 12:27 מַעֵלֵה הַלִּוִיִּם Neh 9:4. p.111, 158, 357, 532, 851

BDB6335 H6137 H4610

BDB6334 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6336

עַקְרָב noun masculine scorpion (apparently quadriliteral; Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian a‡rabu; Ethiopic ; Arabic ; ᵑ7 עַקְרַבָּא);

**< [feminine] as in Late Hebrew, Syriac, Mandaean, Arabic (Levy gives Talmud [Aramaic] as masculine, but are readings correct?), Nöldeke (privately). — absolute עַקְרָב Deut 8:15 (collective; of wilderness), plural עַקְרַבִּים Ezek 2:6 (figurative of enemies); ׳יִסַּר בָּע 1Kgs 12:11; 1Kgs 12:14 = 2Chr 10:11; 2Chr 10:14, i.e. scourges with points, stings. — See also מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים.

Strong's Definition H4610
akrabbim, maaleh-acrabbim
maʿălē ʿaqrabbîm
ascent of scorpions
Steep of Scorpions, a place in the Desert
  • a pass on the southern border of Palestine
    • scorpion-pass; ascent of Akrabbim
Variations 1 forms of this word
Translations 3 English renderings
Akrabbim
Search every verse
Word Parts
מֵ ֽהַ סֶּ֖לַע
מֵ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
ֽהַ
Prefix — article the
סֶּ֖לַע
Root word a name — transliterate it ("From the rock")
Dictionary form: סֶלַע · seh-LA
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar R/Td/Np
Noun — Proper Name
מֵ Speech Preposition
הַ Speech Particle Type Definite Article
סֶּלַע Speech Noun Type Proper Name
In English
In the KJV here: from the rock
of the rock ×11 the rock ×7 rock ×5 of a rock ×4 of the rocks ×3 art my rock ×2 in the rock ×2 is my rock ×2
More options
rock — Most versatile; suits literal and metaphorical uses.
cliff — Emphasizes sheer, dramatic rocky face or escarpment.
crag — Suggests jagged, rugged outcrop; vivid in poetic passages.
rocky stronghold — Best for fortress or refuge contexts (e.g. Psalms).
boulder — Highlights a single large, freestanding stone mass.
bedrock — Underscores solidity; suits metaphors of foundation or security.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5622 H5553

BDB5621 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5623

I. סֶ֫לַע61 noun masculineJudg 6:20 crag, cliff, synonym צוּר; — absolute ׳ס Judg 6:20 +, סָ֑לַע Num 20:10 +; construct סֶ֫לַע 1Sam 23:28 suffix סַלְעִי 2Sam 22:2 +, סַלְעוֺ Isa 31:9 plural סְלָעִים Isa 2:21 +; —

1. literally cliff, crag Judg 6:20; Isa 2:21; Isa 7:19; Amos 6:12; Num 20:8 (twice in verse); Num 20:10 (twice in verse); Num 20:11(compare Neh 9:15; Ps 78:16, and contrast the צוּר of Exod 17:6), Num 24:21; Deut 32:13 (not elsewhere Hexateuch), + 10 t.; ׳שֵׁן הַסּ 1Sam 14:4 (twice in verse) tooth of the crag, i.e. sharp crag, so Job 39:28 excavated in cliff as place of burial Isa 22:16 abode of wild animals, ׳יַעֲלֵיסֿ vIsa 22:1, compare Ps 104:18; Prov 30:26, of birds Job 39:28; Song 2:14 (in figurative), compare Jer 48:28, so of Edom Obad 1:3 = Jer 49:16 compare (Num 24:21 above and) Isa 42:11 particular cliffs are: עֵיטָם ׳ס Judg 15:8; Judg 15:11 compare vJudg 15:13, (הָ)רִמּוֺן ׳ס Judg 20:45; Judg 20:47 (twice in verse); Judg 21:13 הַמַּחְלְקוֺת ׳ס 1Sam 23:28 compare v1Sam 23:25 see also II. סֶלַע.
2. figurative, especially סַלְעִי of ׳י (only Psalms), Ps 18:3 = 2Sam 22:2; Ps 31:4; Ps 42:10; Ps 71:3 of Assyrian god Isa 31:9 (probably; compare צוּר Deut 32:31; Deut 32:37); כָּבֵד ׳צֵל ס Isa 32:2 (simile of protecting care); figurative of security Ps 40:3 (feet on cliff), מְצָדוֺת סְלָעִים מִשְׂגַּבּוֺ Isa 33:16 symbol of obstinacy ׳חִזְּקוּ פְנֵיהֶם מִסּ Jer 5:3 ׳צְחִיחַ ס (bare cliff, literally glare of [the] cliff), in figure of openness, flagrancy Ezek 24:7; Ezek 24:8, of razed city Ezek 26:4; Ezek 26:14 (only here Ezekiel); in figure of fall of Babylonian Jer 51:25.

Strong's Definition H5553
rock, rocks, stones, stony, hold
selaʿ
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
  • crag, cliff, rock
    • crag, cliff
      • "as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (figuratively)
Variations 20 forms of this word
Translations 31 English renderings
Rock
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Word Parts
וָ מָֽעְלָ ה
וָ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
מָֽעְלָ
Adverb upward, above, high, exceedingly, upon, …
ה
Suffix — direction direction — "to / toward ___"
Dictionary form: מַעַל · ma-AL
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/D/Sd
Adverb
וָ Speech Conjunction
מָֽעְלָ Speech Adverb
ה Speech Suffix Type Directional He
In English
In the KJV here: and upward
and upward ×48 above ×23 and above ×8 upward ×6 from above ×5 on high ×4 thereof above ×4 them above ×3
More options
above — Most versatile; suits spatial and figurative contexts.
upward — Best for direction or movement away from a point.
beyond — Prefer when indicating surpassing a limit or threshold.
overhead — Vivid spatial sense; use for physical positions above.
on high — Slightly elevated register; fits poetic or divine contexts.
exceeding — Use when מַעַל intensifies degree rather than location.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6080 H4605

BDB6079 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6081

מַ֫עַל140 substantive, higher part, only in adverb and preposition phrases, above, upwards (Phoenician מעל, see below מַ֫טּה p. 641: abbreviated from מַעֲלֶה; compare מַ֫עַן in לְמַ֫עַן from ׃עָנָה Köii. 116): —

1. מִמַּ֫עַל = above (see מִן 1 c)
  a. as adverb Amos 2:9 וָאַשְׁמִיד פִּרְיוֺ מִמֵּעַל his fruit above (opposed to שָׁרָשָׁיו מִתָּ֑חַת), Job 18:16; 1Kgs 7:3; 1Kgs 7:20; 1Kgs 7:29 often in the phrase הַשָּׁמַמַיִם מִמַּעַל Deut 4:39; Deut 5:8 ( = Exod 20:4), Josh 2:11; 1Kgs 8:23; Isa 45:8; Jer 4:28 compare ׳שְׁחָקִים מ Ps 78:23; Prov 8:28, ׳אֱלוֺהַּ מ Job 3:4; Job 31:2, ׳אֵל מ Job 31:28.
  b. מִמַּעַל לְ, as preposition (מן 1 c), on the top of, above, Gen 22:9 ממעל לָעֵצִים above the wood, Exod 28:27 = Exod 39:20, Lev 11:21 כְּרָעַיִם מִמַּעַל לְרַגְלָיו, Isa 6:2 שְׁרָפִים עֹמדים מִמַּעַל לוֺ, Isa 14:13; Jer 43:10; Ezek 1:26; Dan 12:6; Dan 12:7 = on higher ground than, Jer 35:4 figurative Jer 52:32 (|| 2Kgs 25:28 מֵעַל).

2. With ָ  ה locative מַ֫עְלָה, מָ֑עְלָה upwards (opposed to מַ֫טָּה p. 641) :
  a. figurative Deut 28:43 יַעֲלֶה עֶלֶיךָ מַ֫עְלָה מָ֫עְלָה upwards, upwards, i.e. higher and higher (opposed to מַ֫טָּה מָֽטָה).
  b. וָמַ֫עְלָה
   (a) of direction in space, Judg 1:36 מֵהַסֶּלַע וָמַ֫עְלָה from the rock and upwards (compare Bu), 1Kgs 7:31 (corrupt: see Sta VB Benz), 1Sam 9:2 = 1Sam 10:23 מִשִּׁכְמוֺ וָמַ֫עְלָה from his shoulder and upwards: so ׳וּלְמ, Ezek 1:27 מִמַּרְאֵה מָתְנָיו וּלְמָ֑עְלָה Ezek 8:2; Ezek 43:5.
   (b) of direction in time, or age: —
   (a) מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמָ֑עְלָה Exod 30:14; Num 1:3 + 19 t. P, ׳מִבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וָמ Num 3:15; Num 3:22 + 6 t. P, simil. Num 4:3; Num 8:24 + 7 t. P; elsewhere only 1Chr 23:3; 1Chr 23:24; Ezra 3:8, and with וּלְמַעְלָה 1Chr 23:17; 2Chr 31:16; 2Chr 31:17 ׳לְמִבֶּן ֗֗֗ וָמ 2Chr 25:5 and 2Kgs 3:21 מִכֹּל חֹגֵר חֲגֹרָה ׳וָמ. (β) ׳מהיום ההוא וָמ from that day and onwards, 1Sam 16:13; 1Sam 30:25. (γ) ׳מן היום הזִה וָמ from this day and upwards (i.e. and back), Hag 2:15; Hag 2:18
**and onwards (as β) is more probably: see Now WeKl. Proph. ed. 8 {1898} Marti Dr.
  c. לְמַ֫עְלָךְ upwards, more common than ׳מ alone (a):
   (a) Exod 25:20 (= Exod 37:9) ֹ˜פּרְשֵׂי ׳כְנָפַיִם למ Judg 7:13 ׳ויהפכחו למ overthrew it upwards, i.e. turned it downside up, Isa 7:11 ׳אוֺ הַגְבֵּהַּ למ or make it (the request) high upwards, Isa 8:21 ׳וּפָנָה למ, Isa 37:31 (2Kgs 19:30) ועשׂה פרי ׳למ (compare Amos 2:9, 1 a), Ezek 41:7 a β (v:a α bis ׳למ ׳למ = higher and higher), Ps 74:5 figurative ׳וְהָיִיתָ רַק למ Deut 28:13 (comparea), Prov 15:24 ׳אֹרַח חַיִּים למ (opposed to שְׁאוֺל מָֽטָּה ׃), compare Eccl 3:21 followed by a noun, Ezra 9:6 רּאשׁ ׳למ over the head, followed by מֵעַל (compare Aboth Ezra 2:1 לְמַעְלָה מִן) = above, 2Chr 34:4: see also b a, b a. (b) metaphor = exceedingly, only in Chronicles: 1Chr 14:2; 1Chr 22:5 the house must be built to J. ׳לְהַגְדִּיל למ so as to shew greatness exceedingly, 1Chr 23:17 ׳רָבוּ למ ׳וּבְנֵי ר, 1Chr 29:3 (followed by מִ ן; = over and above ...), v1Chr 29:25; 2Chr 1:1 ׳וַיְגַדְּלֵהוּ למ, 2Chr 20:19 עַד לְמַ֫עְלָה, 2Chr 16:12; 2Chr 17:12; 2Chr 26:8.
  d. מִלְמַ֫עְלָה (see מִן 9 a), adverb, above (the more usual prose synonym of מִמַּעַל): Gen 6:16 אֶלאַֿמָּה תְּכַלֶּנָּה ׳מ Gen 7:20 15 cubits ׳מ (i.e. above the mountain-tops), Exod 25:21 (Exod 40:20) ׳וְנָתַתָּ֫ה אֶתהַֿכַּפֹּרֶת על הארון מ upon the ark above, Exod 26:14 (Exod 36:19; Exod 40:19; Num 4:25) a covering of skins on the tent ׳מ above, Num 39:31; Num 4:6; 1Kgs 7:11; 1Kgs 7:25; 1Kgs 8:7 (2Chr 4:4; 2Chr 5:8), Jer 31:37 ׳אִם יִמַּדּוּ שָׁמַיִם מ (compare 1 a), Ezek 1:11 ׳פְּרֻדוֺת מ separate above, vEzek 1:22 vEzek 1:26; Ezek 10:19; Ezek 11:22; Ezek 37:8 from above, Josh 3:13; Josh 3:16 ׳הַמַּיִם הַיֹּרְדִים מ.

Strong's Definition H4605
upward, above, high, exceedingly, upon, …
maʿal
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
  • (subst) higher part, upper part
    • (adv) above
      • "(prep) on the top of, above, on higher ground than with locative"upwards, higher, above
Variations 19 forms of this word
Translations 35 English renderings
Judges 1:35
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