Lexical Summary memshalah: Dominion, rule, authority, government Original Word: מֶמְשָׁלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dominion, government, power, to rule Feminine of mimshal; rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler -- dominion, government, power, to rule. see HEBREW mimshal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of mimshal Definition rule, dominion, realm NASB Translation authority (1), domain (1), dominion (9), forces (1), govern (2), rule (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶמְשָׁלָה noun feminine rule, dominion, realm (compare DrJphil. xi. 1882, 215); — absolute ׳מ Micah 4:8; construct מֶמְשֶׁ֫לֶת Psalm 136:8 (before בְּ Ges§ 130, 1 Köii. 182), Jeremiah 34:1 2t.; suffix מֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ Isaiah 22:21; Psalm 145:13; מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ 1 Kings 9:19 6t.; plural construct מֶמְשְׁלוֺת Psalm 136:9; suffix מַמְשְׁלוֺתָיו Psalm 114:2; — 1 rule, dominion (human) Isaiah 22:21; Micah 4:8; וְכָלֿ מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ עִמּוֺ2Chronicles 32:9 and all his imperial might with him (i.e. display of might — soldiers, court, luxury, etc.; of Sennach.); כֹּל אֶרֶץ מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ 1 Kings 9:19 2Chronicles 8:6; Jeremiah 51:28, מַמְלְכוֺת אֶרֶץ מֶמְשֶׁלֶת יָדוֺ Jeremiah 34:1; hence ׳מ alone = relam, domian 2 Kings 20:13 = Isaiah 39:2; Daniel 11:5. 2 rule of heavenly bodies הַיּוֺם ׳לִמְשׁ Genesis 1:16 the sun for the rule ofthe day, compare Genesis 1:16; also followed by בְּ Psalm 136:8; Psalm 136:9. 3 God's rule dominion: Psalm 145:13 ("" מַלְכוּת), כָּלמְֿקֹמוֺת מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ Psalm 103:22; plural = realm הָֽיְתה יְהוּדָה לְקָדְשׁ֑וֺ יִשְׂרָאֵל מַמְשְׁלוֺתָֽיו ׃ Psalm 114:2. [מִשְׁלָח], מִשְׁלֹחַ, מִשְׁלַ֫חַת see שׁלח. מְשֻׁלָּם, מְשִׁלֵּ(י)מוֺת, מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה(וּׅ see שׁלם. מְשִׁלֵּמִית, מְשֻׁלֶּ֫מֶת see שׁלם. מִשֶּׁלָּ֫נוּ see שֶׁ֑. מִשְׁלשׁ Genesis 38:24 see שׁלשׁ. מְשַׁמָּה see שׁמם. מִשְׁמָן, מִשְׁמַנָּה, ׳מַשׁ, מַשְׁמַנִּים see שׁמן. I, II. מִשְׁמָע, [מִשְׁמַ֫עַת] see שׁמע. מִשְׁמָר, [מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת] see שׁמר. מִשְׁנֶה see שׁנה. מְשִׁסָּה see שׁסס. משׁע (compare Assyrian misû, cleanse, wash, compare DlHWB; whence might come following — though שׁ = s is surprising — compare DlBaer, Ezech. xiv). Topical Lexicon Key Conceptמֶמְשָׁלָה (memshalah) expresses the idea of rule, dominion, government, or realm. It designates both the sphere in which authority is exercised and the authority itself. In Scripture it alternates between describing God’s own sovereign reign and the delegated rule of human or angelic authorities. Creation and Cosmic Order The word appears first in the creation narrative, where the greater and lesser lights are set “to rule the day and the night” (Genesis 1:16). Dominion here is woven into the very fabric of the universe: sun, moon, and stars act as visible reminders that order, boundaries, and seasons flow from the Lord’s governing will (cf. Psalm 136:8-9). The heavens therefore preach both God’s power and His faithfulness—an apologetic for stewardship, not exploitation, of creation. God’s Universal Reign Psalm 103:22 widens the term to embrace “all places of His dominion,” stressing that no corner of the cosmos lies outside His jurisdiction. Psalm 145:13 anchors that dominion in eternity: “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations.” The recurring pairing of “kingdom” and “dominion” links authority with benevolent care; God’s rule is not tyranny but covenantal blessing. Israel’s National Dominion Psalm 114:2 announces, “Judah became His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion,” portraying the nation as both worship center and sphere of God’s rule. Micah 4:8 promises restoration: “to you it shall come—the former dominion.” The prophetic hope of a renewed Davidic kingship ties memshalah to messianic expectation and fuels the longing for righteous governance centered in Zion. Human Political Dominions Scripture also employs memshalah for the territorial power of earthly kings: • Solomon’s extensive realm (1 Kings 9:19). These occurrences underline that human dominions are sizable and formidable, yet finite and answerable to God. Prophetic literature frequently juxtaposes such regimes with the certainty of divine judgment, reminding Israel not to place ultimate trust in worldly powers. Delegated Authority and Stewardship Isaiah 22:21 illustrates the transfer of authority: “I will commit your authority into his hand.” Authority is a trust, not a possession. Leaders hold memshalah as stewards, accountable for justice, compassion, and covenant faithfulness. When abused, it is removed; when exercised righteously, it images God’s own governance. Messianic and Eschatological Hope Micah’s promise of restored dominion and Daniel’s forecast of competing kings find their ultimate resolution in the Messiah, whose “dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away” (Daniel 7:14). New Testament writers echo the theme (Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15), pointing to Jesus Christ as the rightful heir of all rule. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Worship: Recognizing God’s memshalah promotes reverent praise and holistic obedience. Connections with New Testament Terminology Greek counterparts such as exousia (authority) and kuriotes (dominion) carry forward the Old Testament concept. Paul and Peter repeatedly ascribe glory to God’s “dominion forever” (1 Peter 5:11), reinforcing continuity between the covenants. Summary מֶמְשָׁלָה traces a line from the cosmic order of Genesis through Israel’s national story, into prophetic visions of Messiah, and onward to the consummation of God’s kingdom. It invites believers to live under divine authority, steward delegated responsibilities faithfully, and await the day when every earthly dominion bows to the everlasting reign of Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַמֶּמְשָׁלָה֙ הממשלה וּ֝מֶֽמְשֶׁלְתְּךָ֗ וּמֶֽמְשֶׁלְתְּךָ֖ וממשלתך לְמֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת לממשלות לממשלת מֶמְשֶׁ֨לֶת מֶמְשַׁלְתּ֑וֹ מֶמְשַׁלְתּ֖וֹ מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽוֹ׃ מַמְשְׁלוֹתָֽיו׃ ממשלותיו׃ ממשלת ממשלתו ממשלתו׃ ham·mem·šā·lāh hammemšālāh hammemshaLah lə·mem·še·leṯ lə·mem·šə·lō·wṯ ləmemšeleṯ ləmemšəlōwṯ lememShelet lememsheLot mam·šə·lō·w·ṯāw mamšəlōwṯāw mamsheloTav mem·šal·tōw mem·še·leṯ memšaltōw memšeleṯ memshalTo memShelet ū·mem·šel·tə·ḵā ūmemšeltəḵā umemsheltechaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 1:16 HEB: הַמָּא֤וֹר הַגָּדֹל֙ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת הַיּ֔וֹם וְאֶת־ NAS: light to govern the day, KJV: light to rule the day, INT: light the greater to govern the day light Genesis 1:16 1 Kings 9:19 2 Chronicles 32:9 Psalm 103:22 Psalm 114:2 Psalm 136:8 Psalm 136:9 Psalm 145:13 Isaiah 22:21 Jeremiah 34:1 Jeremiah 51:28 Daniel 11:5 Micah 4:8 14 Occurrences |
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