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מַעֲלֶה

𐤌𐤏𐤋𐤄

maʻăleh

H4608 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עלה to go up, ascend, rise

Definition

A place or act of ascending; an ascent, approach, or upward slope—referring either to a physical geographic feature (such as a hill, slope, or staircase) or the act of going up. Used concretely for an incline, upward pathway, or a set of steps leading upwards; abstractly for the condition of rising, going up, or being elevated, and at times figuratively for advancement or prominence.

Semantic Range

physical ascent, slope, pass, hill, path going up, staircase or steps, process of going up, act of ascending, condition of elevation, advancement, prominence

Root / Etymology

From the root עָלָה (עלה), which conveys 'to go up, ascend, rise.' The noun מַעֲלֶה is a formed derivative denoting 'the act or place of ascent.' Thus, while the root means 'to ascend,' the noun specifically refers to the path, slope, stair, or process itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מַעֲלֶה appears in geographical contexts to describe ascending routes, mountain passes, or slopes (e.g., Maaleh Akrabbim, 'the ascent of Akrabbim'). It is also used for constructed stairways or steps within buildings (such as in Solomon's Temple), as well as for abstract or figurative elevation (as in advancement or high status, though such uses are rare). In the patriarchal and monarchic periods, the term most often marks important travel routes, key for identifying journeys or boundary markers (e.g., Numbers 34:4, Joshua 15:3). Later, in post-exilic literature, its use for actual steps or constructed risers increases, reflecting urban or ritual settings. English translations as 'ascent,' 'pass,' 'steps,' or 'rise' usually fit, but sometimes obscure the blend of physical and metaphorical associations, especially where 'priority' or 'prominence' is implied. Contrast with מַעֲלָה (maalāh 'step, degree,' Strong's H4609), which can denote individual steps of progress or stages in a process.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָלָה; an elevation, i.e. (concretely) acclivity or platform; abstractly (the relation or state) a rise or (figuratively) priority; ascent, before, chiefest, cliff, that goeth up, going up, hill, mounting up, stairs.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עלה (ʿ-l-h) — to go up, ascend, rise

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H421 אָלָה Lofty One
H422 אָלָה he ascended
H4605 מַעַל upward
H4607 מֹעַל in hand-raising
H4609 מַעֲלָה in the ascents

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4608-05 מַעֲלֵ֣ה maaleh HNcmsc ascent ascent 4
H4608-02 בְּ/מַעֲלֵ֣ה bemaaleh HR/Ncmsc at the ascent in an ascent-of 4
H4608-07 מעל/ו mlv HNcmsc/Sp3ms ascent-of-it his ascent 3
H4608-04 מַעֲלָֽי/ו maalayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms ascents-of.it his ascents 3
H4608-08 בְ/מַעֲלֵ֨ה vemaaleh HR/Ncmsc by the ascent of in ascent-of 1
H4608-03 לְ/מַעֲלֵ֣ה lemaaleh HR/Ncmsc ascent-of to ascent-of 1
H4608-01 בַּֽ/מַּעֲלֶ֖ה bamaaleh HRd/Ncmsa at the ascent at the ascent 1
H4608-06 מִֽ/לְ/מַעֲלֵ֖ה milemaaleh HR/R/Ncmsc by the ascent of from the ascent of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4608-03 Joshua 15:7 לְ/מַעֲלֵ֣ה lemaaleh HR/Ncmsc ascent-of to ascent-of
H4608-05 Joshua 18:17 מַעֲלֵ֣ה maaleh HNcmsc ascent ascent
H4608-06 Judges 8:13 מִֽ/לְ/מַעֲלֵ֖ה milemaaleh HR/R/Ncmsc by the ascent of from the ascent of
H4608-02 1 Samuel 9:11 בְּ/מַעֲלֵ֣ה bemaaleh HR/Ncmsc on the ascent in an ascent-of
H4608-08 2 Samuel 15:30 בְ/מַעֲלֵ֨ה vemaaleh HR/Ncmsc by the ascent of in ascent-of
H4608-02 2 Kings 9:27 בְּ/מַֽעֲלֵה bemaaleh HR/Ncmsc at the ascent in an ascent-of
H4608-05 Isaiah 15:5 מַעֲלֵ֣ה maaleh HNcmsc ascent ascent
H4608-05 Jeremiah 48:5 מַעֲלֵ֣ה maaleh HNcmsc ascent ascent
H4608-07 Ezekiel 40:31 מעל/ו mlv HNcmsc/Sp3ms up-to-it his ascent
H4608-04 Ezekiel 40:31 מַעֲלָֽי/ו maalayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its-steps his ascents
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