מָשָׁ֑ל
𐤌𐤔𐤋
mâshâl
proverbs
A concise statement or saying, often figurative or metaphorical in nature, used for teaching, comparison, or illustration. The term refers broadly to various forms of wisdom literature including proverbs, aphorisms, poetic instructive compositions, riddles, parables, and occasionally to taunts or proverbial bywords. In some contexts, it denotes a standard of comparison or an example—positive or negative—used to communicate a wider truth or moral lesson.
1 Kings 5:12 · Word #4
Lexicon H4912
| Lemma | מָשָׁל |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤌𐤔𐤋 |
| Transliteration | mâshâl |
| Strong's | H4912 |
| Definition | A concise statement or saying, often figurative or metaphorical in nature, used for teaching, comparison, or illustration. The term refers broadly to various forms of wisdom literature including proverbs, aphorisms, poetic instructive compositions, riddles, parables, and occasionally to taunts or proverbial bywords. In some contexts, it denotes a standard of comparison or an example—positive or negative—used to communicate a wider truth or moral lesson. |
Morphology HNcmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | proverbs |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4912-03
governing saying
| Morphological Notes | Masculine singular common noun, absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun מָשָׁל derives from the root meaning "to rule" or "to govern," and came to denote a saying that exercises governing influence in thought through comparison or instruction. "Governing saying" preserves both the dominion nuance of the root and its function as an instructive, metaphorical statement. |
View full lexicon entry for H4912 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
proverb
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | 'governing saying' is too interpretive; based on the root and common usage, 'proverb' is the correct and direct rendering for מָשָׁל. |