נְמָלָה
𐤍𐤌𐤋𐤄
nᵉmâlâh
H5244 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small insect, specifically an ant, known for its industriousness and gathering behavior. The term is used to denote the common ant species observed in the land of ancient Israel, notable in wisdom literature as a model of diligence and self-motivation.
Semantic Range
ant (insect), model of industry and foresight (in wisdom literature)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root נמל (n-m-l), with uncertain connection. The root is not widely attested with an obvious base meaning, but some suggest possible relation to ideas of cutting off, division, or harvesting (cf. נָמַל 'to cut off, shear'). The feminine form נְמָלָה denotes the insect itself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
נְמָלָה appears only in Proverbs 6:6, 30:25, where it is highlighted as an example in wisdom instruction, encouraging diligence and foresight. Its mention is limited to the book of Proverbs and does not appear elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, indicating its function as a literary example rather than a technical zoological or ritual term. The Septuagint translates it as μύρμηξ ('ant'), and later traditions follow suit. English translations consistently render it 'ant,' which matches the known behavioral observation in the text. There is no evidence for the term having broader or metaphorical meanings beyond its appearance as a teaching example. Comparative terms such as חגב ('locust') denote different insects; נְמָלָה is distinct both in taxonomy and symbolic use.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine from נָמַל; an ant (probably from its almost bisected form); ant.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נמל (n-m-l) — cut off, divide, shear; (derived noun) ant
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5243 | נָמַל | you will be cut |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5244-01 |
הַ֭/נְּמָלִים | hanemalim | HTd/Ncfpa |
the ants | the ants | the ants | 1 |
H5244-02 |
נְמָלָ֥ה | nemalah | HNcfsa |
the ant | ant | ant | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5244-02 |
Proverbs 6:6 | נְמָלָ֥ה | nemalah | HNcfsa |
the ant | ant | ant |
H5244-01 |
Proverbs 30:25 | הַ֭/נְּמָלִים | hanemalim | HTd/Ncfpa |
the ants | the ants | the ants |