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מַעַל

𐤌𐤏𐤋

maʻal

H4605 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root עלה to ascend, go up, rise

Definition

An adverb or preposition of direction or position, meaning 'upwards,' 'above,' or 'on high,' indicating a higher spatial location, direction, or relative status. Used with prefixed prepositions (מִמַּעַל 'from above', עַל מַעַל 'upon, above') to specify locative or figurative height, superiority, or prior position.

Semantic Range

upper part, upward, above, overhead, on high, over, very high, exceedingly, from above, upon, from the top, higher position, figurative superiority

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root עָלָה (עלה), which means 'to go up, ascend, rise.' מַעַל functions as a noun used in adverbial or prepositional phrases, indicating the 'upper part' or 'above.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Primarily found in combination with prepositions, especially in phrases indicating spatial or figurative superiority (מִמַּעַל—'from above' [Exod 25:20]; עַל מַעַל—'over' or 'upon'). Its usage is prominent in ritual and architectural descriptions (e.g., the cherubim over the ark, Genesis 6:16; Exodus 25:20), as well as metaphoric use for being in a position of authority or elevated status. The term is distinct from עַל ('on, upon'), which marks surface contact or support, while מַעַל emphasizes raised position or movement from a superior point. Later, the preposition מֵעָל may be formed by contraction. English translations often render מַעַל as 'above,' 'up,' or 'over,' but the Hebrew term may imply more substantial separation or distinction in status or location than English 'above.' Its occurrences are spread throughout narrative, legal, and poetic texts, with little change in sense over time, retaining the primary spatial or metaphorical sense of higher position or superiority.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עלה (ʿ-l-h) — ascend, go up, rise

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H421 אָלָה Lofty One
H422 אָלָה he ascended
H4607 מֹעַל in hand-raising
H4608 מַעֲלֶה at the ascent
H4609 מַעֲלָה in the ascents

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4605-08 וָ/מָ֑עְלָ/ה vamaelah HC/D/Sd and upward and upward 51
H4605-01 לְ/מַ֗עְלָ/ה lemaelah HR/D/Sd upward upward 28
H4605-04 מִ/מַּ֖עַל mimaal HR/D above from above 27
H4605-03 מִ/לְ/מַ֔עְלָ/ה milemaelah HR/R/D/Sd from above from above 23
H4605-05 וּ/לְ/מָ֑עְלָ/ה ulemaelah HC/R/D/Sd and upward and upward 6
H4605-02 מַ֣עְלָ/ה maelah HD/Sd higher upward 2
H4605-07 וּ/מִ/מַּ֗עַל umimaal HC/R/D and from above and from above 2
H4605-06 וּ/מִ/לְ/מַ֗עְלָ/ה umilemaelah HC/R/R/D/Sd and above and from above 1

Occurrences in Scripture

140 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4605-03 Genesis 6:16 מִ/לְ/מַ֔עְלָ/ה milemaelah HR/R/D/Sd from the top from above
H4605-03 Genesis 7:20 מִ/לְ/מַ֔עְלָ/ה milemaelah HR/R/D/Sd upward from above
H4605-04 Genesis 22:9 מִ/מַּ֖עַל mimaal HR/D upon from above
H4605-04 Exodus 20:4 מִ/מַּ֔עַל mimaal HR/D above from above
H4605-01 Exodus 25:20 לְ/מַ֗עְלָ/ה lemaelah HR/D/Sd upward upward
H4605-03 Exodus 25:21 מִ/לְ/מָ֑עְלָ/ה milemaelah HR/R/D/Sd from above from above
H4605-03 Exodus 26:14 מִ/לְ/מָֽעְלָ/ה milemaelah HR/R/D/Sd above from above
H4605-04 Exodus 28:27 מִ/מַּ֕עַל mimaal HR/D above from above
H4605-08 Exodus 30:14 וָ/מָ֑עְלָ/ה vamaelah HC/D/Sd and upward and upward
H4605-03 Exodus 36:19 מִ/לְ/מָֽעְלָ/ה milemaelah HR/R/D/Sd above from above
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