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מְלָא

𐤌𐤋𐤀

mᵉlâʼ

H4391 verb

SILEX Entry

Root מלא to fill, become full, be completed

Definition

Aramaic verb meaning to fill, to become full, or to be filled. It denotes the action of a vessel, space, or specification being completed to capacity, the state of being filled or full, or the act of causing something to be fully supplied or occupied. The verb can describe both literal and figurative filling, including physical quantity (as vessels, houses, or days) and abstract fulfillment (as in a role or obligation).

Semantic Range

to fill, to cause to be filled, to become full, to be completed, to fulfill (a period or obligation); literal filling of vessels, houses, days, or positions; abstract fulfillment or satisfaction

Root / Etymology

Root: מלא. The root מלא in Hebrew and Aramaic carries the core sense of 'to fill, to complete, to make full.' The form מְלָא is the Aramaic verbal cognate to Hebrew מָלֵא. While מָלֵא is the usual Hebrew verbal root, מְלָא appears primarily in Aramaic sections of the Tanakh, particularly in post-exilic compositions.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מְלָא occurs in the biblical corpus almost exclusively in the aramaic portions, most notably in Ezra and Daniel, reflecting the language shift during and after exile. While the Hebrew verbal form is מָלֵא (malē), the Aramaic מְלָא (mᵉlāʼ) is functionally identical but follows Aramaic morphological patterns. These contexts often involve Babylonian and Persian settings, sometimes signaling the administrative or royal filling of positions, vessels, or times. English translations tend to use 'fill' or 'be full,' which generally reflects the sense but can miss ancillary nuances such as abstract fulfillment or ceremonial completion. It is distinct from other verbs of measurement that imply pouring, sprinkling, or partial filling, and focuses on fullness or completion. No significant difference is observed between pre- and post-exilic usage, as the form itself is a marker of the later, Aramaic-influenced period.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to מָלֵא; to fill; fill, be full.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מלא (m-l-ʾ) — to fill, to become full, to complete

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3229 יִמְלָא He-will-be-full
H4390 מָלֵא I will fill up
H4392 מָלֵא the fullness
H4393 מְלֹא fullness of
H4394 מִלֻּא the installation-fillings

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4391-01 הִתְמְלִ֣י hitemeli AVup3ms was filled he filled himself 1
H4391-02 וּ/מְלָ֥ת umelat AC/Vqp3fs and filled and she filled 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4391-02 Daniel 2:35 וּ/מְלָ֥ת umelat AC/Vqp3fs and filled and she filled
H4391-01 Daniel 3:19 הִתְמְלִ֣י hitemeli AVup3ms was filled he filled himself
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