מַעֲלָל
𐤌𐤏𐤋𐤋
maʻălâl
H4611 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A deed, act, or course of action, often implying deliberate behavior or conduct, which may be positive or negative; encompasses individual actions and more broadly patterns or ways of life. The term highlights the outcome of human intention or activity, ranging from virtuous deeds to acts of wrongdoing.
Semantic Range
deed, act, action, behavior, course of conduct, activity, practice, invention; positive or negative deeds depending on context
Root / Etymology
From the root עָלַל (ʿ-l-l), which carries a core meaning relating to acting, doing, or dealing with something. The noun form מַעֲלָל derives from a pattern that typically denotes the result of an action or ongoing activity. Thus, מַעֲלָל refers specifically to a deed, act, or behavior derived from a process or effort.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַעֲלָל is attested throughout the Hebrew Bible, appearing in diverse contexts from narratives to prophetic texts. It is frequently used in poetic and prophetic literature to describe the outcomes of a person's or a people's ways (cf. Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Micah). The term can refer to both laudable actions (as in Psalm 106:39 with contextually positive deeds) and evil or corrupt acts (as in Hosea 12:3; Jeremiah 4:18). מַעֲלָל is often contrasted with פֹּעַל (poʿal, 'work, action'), which can emphasize a factual act rather than its moral character; מַעֲלָל may focus more on the habitual or intentional aspects of conduct. The term's meaning remains stable throughout the First Temple and early Second Temple periods. English translations often render it as 'deed(s),' 'act(s),' or 'doing(s),' although the moral nuance or repetitive sense may not always be fully captured in translation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָלַל; an act (good or bad); doing, endeavour, invention, work.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עלל (ʿ-l-l) — to act, to do, to deal
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4606 | מֵעָל | from sunset-enterings-of |
| H5931 | עִלָּה | contrived pretext |
| H5943 | עִלַּי | the Exalted One |
| H5948 | עֲלִיל | refining crucible |
| H5949 | עֲלִילָה | deed |
Word Forms
17 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4611-08 |
מַעַלְלֵי/הֶ֖ם | maaleleyhem | HNcmpc/Sp3mp |
of their deeds | their deeds | 10 |
H4611-09 |
מַעַלְלֵי/כֶ֖ם | maaleleykhem | HNcmpc/Sp2mp |
of your deeds | your deeds | 9 |
H4611-16 |
וּ/מַֽעַלְלֵי/כֶ֑ם | umaaleleykhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2mp |
and your doings | and your deeds | 5 |
H4611-04 |
מַעֲלָלָֽי/ו | maalalayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his deeds | his deeds | 3 |
H4611-02 |
בְּ/מַֽעַלְלֵי/הֶ֑ם | bemaaleleyhem | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
in their doings | in their deeds | 2 |
H4611-10 |
מִ/מַּ֣עַלְלֵי/הֶ֔ם | mimaaleleyhem | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
from their practices | from their deeds | 2 |
H4611-07 |
מַֽעַלְלֵי | maaleley | HNcmpc |
deeds of | deeds of | 2 |
H4611-14 |
וּ/מַעֲלָלָ֖י/ו | umaalalayv | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and his deeds | and his deeds | 1 |
H4611-03 |
כְּ/מַעֲלָלָ֖י/ו | kemaalalayv | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
according-to-his-deeds | according to his deeds | 1 |
H4611-06 |
מַעֲלָלִ֖ים | maalalim | HNcmpa |
in his deeds | deeds | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
43 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4611-05 |
Deuteronomy 28:20 | מַֽעֲלָלֶ֖י/ךָ | maalaleykha | HNcmpc/Sp2ms |
of your deeds | your deeds |
H4611-10 |
Judges 2:19 | מִ/מַּ֣עַלְלֵי/הֶ֔ם | mimaaleleyhem | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
from their practices | from their deeds |
H4611-06 |
1 Samuel 25:3 | מַעֲלָלִ֖ים | maalalim | HNcmpa |
in his deeds | deeds |
H4611-09 |
Isaiah 1:16 | מַעַלְלֵי/כֶ֖ם | maaleleykhem | HNcmpc/Sp2mp |
of your doings | your deeds |
H4611-15 |
Isaiah 3:8 | וּ/מַֽעַלְלֵי/הֶם֙ | umaaleleyhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their doings | and their deeds |
H4611-08 |
Isaiah 3:10 | מַעַלְלֵי/הֶ֖ם | maaleleyhem | HNcmpc/Sp3mp |
of their deeds | their deeds |
H4611-09 |
Jeremiah 4:4 | מַעַלְלֵי/כֶֽם | maaleleykhem | HNcmpc/Sp2mp |
of your deeds | your deeds |
H4611-13 |
Jeremiah 4:18 | וּ/מַ֣עֲלָלַ֔יִ/ךְ | umaalalayikhe | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2fs |
and your doings | and your deeds |
H4611-16 |
Jeremiah 7:3 | וּ/מַֽעַלְלֵי/כֶ֑ם | umaaleleykhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2mp |
and your doings | and your deeds |
H4611-09 |
Jeremiah 7:5 | מַֽעַלְלֵי/כֶ֑ם | maaleleykhem | HNcmpc/Sp2mp |
your doings | your deeds |