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מִשְׁקֶלֶת

𐤌𐤔𐤒𐤋𐤕

mishqeleth

H4949 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שקל to weigh, measure out, balance

Definition

A weight, specifically a stone or object of fixed mass used as a reference for measurement, particularly in the context of construction or surveying. Most frequently, mishqeleth designates a plumb stone or plumb bob suspended on a line for ensuring vertical or level alignment in building activities; by extension, a tool that embodies precision, measure, or judgment.

Semantic Range

weight (for measuring), standard weight, plumb bob, plummet, object for ensuring verticality or straightness in construction, metaphorical instrument of judgment or evaluation

Root / Etymology

From the root שקל (שָׁקַל), meaning 'to weigh.' מִשְׁקֶלֶת is a feminine noun form, directly related to מִשְׁקָל (weight, mass) and constructed with the standard noun pattern suggesting an instrument or means relating to weighing or measuring.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מִשְׁקֶלֶת is attested primarily in prophetic literature (e.g., Amos 7:7–8; Isaiah 28:17), where it commonly refers to the plumb line or plummet used by builders to ensure straightness and true vertical (an essential aspect of ancient construction techniques). In these texts, the term is used metaphorically by prophets to indicate Yahweh’s act of measuring or judging the community, paralleling the function of the plumb line as a standard of correctness. Its use is distinct from מִשְׁקָל, which refers generically to 'weight' (quantity or value), and from מַשְׁקוֹף, which denotes a 'door lintel' or threshold. Translation as 'plummet' or 'plumb line' is contextually accurate for prophetic literature but may obscure the underlying sense of fixed weight as a standard. The concept of measurement for judgment extends into later Judean interpretation, where such tools symbolize moral or religious standards. Later translations rendered the term as 'plumb line' or 'plumb bob,' and English translations sometimes use 'plummet,' terms not readily familiar to all modern readers. The notion should be understood as anchored in practical Israelite engineering and building practice, as well as metaphorical evaluation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or מִשְׁקֹלֶת; feminine of מִשְׁקָל or מַשְׁקוֹף; a weight, i.e. a plummet (with line attached); plummet.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שקל (sh-q-l) — to weigh, measure out, balance

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4946 מִשְׁקוֹל by weight-measure
H4948 מִשְׁקָל by the weight
H8254 שָׁקַל I will weigh out
H8255 שֶׁקֶל by a sheqel-weight
H831 אַשְׁקְלוֹן Ashkelon the Weighing-Place

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4949-01 לְ/מִשְׁקָ֑לֶת lemisheqalet HR/Ncfsa the plummet plumb-weight 1
H4949-02 מִשְׁקֹ֖לֶת misheqolet HNcfsc the plummet measuring-weight of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4949-02 2 Kings 21:13 מִשְׁקֹ֖לֶת misheqolet HNcfsc the plummet measuring-weight of
H4949-01 Isaiah 28:17 לְ/מִשְׁקָ֑לֶת lemisheqalet HR/Ncfsa the plummet plumb-weight
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