מִיכָל
𐤌𐤉𐤊𐤋
mîykâl
H4323 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small stream or watercourse, typically referring to a brook or rivulet; a minor channel for water flow distinct from larger rivers or main channels. In biblical contexts, denotes a natural streamlet rather than a constructed canal or aqueduct.
Semantic Range
brook, streamlet, small watercourse, minor natural channel
Root / Etymology
The word מִיכָל derives from the root יכל (to be able, to prevail, to endure), though the connection between root meaning and this noun's lexical meaning is not transparent. The word appears to be a nominal formation, possibly signifying a channel 'capable of containing' water, but this link is not firmly established and etymology may be uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מִיכָל occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Ezekiel 47:19 and 48:28, referring specifically to the streamlet or brook of Egypt near the southern boundary of the Israelite land as marked in the prophet's descriptions. The English term 'brook' often translates various Hebrew words, including נַחַל (naḥal) and אפיק (afik), but מִיכָל is distinct and likely refers to a smaller or more transient channel. In the context of Ezekiel, it may correspond to a particular wadi or intermittent seasonal stream. The term does not occur in relation to major perennial rivers; its use is limited to minor watercourses. In later translation traditions, 'brook of Egypt' sometimes becomes conflated with larger boundary rivers, but the original Hebrew distinction may be more precise. There are no clear references to this term outside the few prophetic boundary texts, and it does not carry the broader topographic or symbolic significance that נַחַל does elsewhere.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָכֹל; properly, a container, i.e. a streamlet; brook.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
יכל (Yehukhal) — to be able, to have capacity, to have capability
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1964 | הֵיכָל | in the grand sanctuary-hall |
| H1965 | הֵיכַל | in the grand palace-temple |
| H3081 | יְהוּכַל | YHWH is able |
| H3203 | יְכׇלְיָה | Yahweh is able |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4323-01 |
מִיכַ֣ל | mikhal | HNcmsc |
Michal | Mikhal | brook | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4323-01 |
2 Samuel 17:20 | מִיכַ֣ל | mikhal | HNcmsc |
Michal | Mikhal | brook |