Lexical Summary miklal: perfection Original Word: מִכְלָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance perfection From kalal; perfection (of beauty) -- perfection. see HEBREW kalal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kalal Definition completeness, perfection NASB Translation perfection (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִכְלָל noun masculine completeness, perfection, Psalm 50:2 מִצִּיּוֺן מִכְלַל יֹ֑פִי out of Zion, the perfection of beauty (compare כָּלִיל 1), hath God shined. II. כלל (assumed as √ of following, but dubious; cf Late Hebrew כַּלָּה; Aramaic כַּלְּתָא, Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence Psalm 50:2 records the sole canonical appearance of מִכְלָל. “From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth”. Here the psalmist depicts Zion as the flawless arena from which the glory of God radiates to the nations. Historical and Geographical Context Psalm 50 is attributed to Asaph and likely reflects worship in the early monarchy. Zion, a poetic name for Jerusalem’s temple mount, had become the visible center of Israel’s covenant life (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). By identifying Zion as “perfection of beauty,” the psalmist echoes the city’s reputation in the ancient Near East as a fortified, elevated sanctuary. This acclaim was not rooted in architectural splendor alone but in Yahweh’s covenantal presence (Deuteronomy 12:5; Psalm 48:1-3). Theological Significance 1. Holiness and Beauty Intertwined. Scripture frequently pairs divine holiness with aesthetic glory (Psalm 29:2; 96:9). מִכְלָל underscores that true beauty is moral as well as visual, issuing from God’s own perfections manifest in His dwelling place. Christological Foreshadowing The New Testament applies temple imagery to Christ Himself (John 2:19-21; Colossians 2:9). As Zion’s perfection radiated God’s light, Jesus embodies the fullness of divine beauty: “We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only” (John 1:14). Hebrews 12:22-24 locates believers not at Sinai’s terror but at “Mount Zion… and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,” showing that מִכְלָל ultimately finds completion in the incarnate Son and His redeemed community. Practical Ministry Application • Worship. Congregational worship should reflect God’s beauty through reverent order, doctrinal fidelity, and aesthetic excellence (1 Corinthians 14:40; Philippians 4:8). Liturgical and Devotional Use Psalm 50:2 is often employed in call-to-worship readings, reminding gathered saints of the divine beauty that summons and shapes them. Personal meditation on מִכְלָל fosters longing for God’s presence and hope in the consummate glory yet to be revealed (Romans 8:18). Related Concepts and Cross-References • “Perfection of beauty” applied to Jerusalem: Lamentations 2:15; Ezekiel 28:12 (metaphorically). Mִכְלָל thus serves as a compact yet profound testimony to the flawless splendor of God’s dwelling and the calling of His covenant people to mirror that beauty in worship, life, and witness. Forms and Transliterations מִכְלַל־ מכלל־ michlal miḵ·lal- miḵlal-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 50:2 HEB: מִצִּיּ֥וֹן מִכְלַל־ יֹ֗פִי אֱלֹהִ֥ים NAS: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, KJV: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, INT: of Zion the perfection of beauty God 1 Occurrence |
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; Arabic 
Assyrian kallâtu, explanation by DlProl. 130 f. (compare IdHWB 330) as proposing closed bridal chamber (ideogram = closed chamber), from √ כלא or כלה, thence bride (compare harem); according to RSK 136 f. 292 כַּלָּה = one closed in, or reserved (that is, for her husband); Ges and others one crowned (compare Aramaic etc. כלילא crown), but form much against this; NöZMG 1886, 737 'ventures no explanation').