4603. maal

Lexicon

maal: To act unfaithfully, to trespass, to commit a violation

Original Word: מָעַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ma`al
Pronunciation: mah-ahl
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-al')
Definition: To act unfaithfully, to trespass, to commit a violation
Meaning: to cover up, to act covertly, treacherously

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

transgress, commit, do a trespassing

A primitive root; properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. Treacherously -- transgress, (commit, do a) trespass(-ing).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to act unfaithfully or treacherously
NASB Translation
act (1), acted (2), acted treacherously (2), acting (1), acting treacherously (1), acting unfaithfully (1), acts (2), became...unfaithful (1), been (1), been unfaithful (5), broke faith (1), committed (6), committing unfaithfulness (1), err (1), perpetrated (1), unfaithful (3), unfaithfulness they committed (1), violated (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מָעַל verb act unfaithfully, treacherously, a priestly word (P Ezra, Chronicles), chiefly late (Late Hebrew id., act unfaithfully; Arabic whisper, backbite, perfidy, fraud); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular מָעַל Joshua 22:20 4t.; 3 feminine singular מָֽעֲלָה Leviticus 5:21; Numbers 5:12 13t. Perfect; Imperfect יִמְעַל Proverbs 16:10; 2Chronicles 26:16; 3 feminine singular תִּמְעֹל Leviticus 5:15; Numbers 5:27; 3masculine plural יִמְעֲלוּ Joshua 7:1, וַיִּמְעֲלוּ 1 Chronicles 5:25; 2masculine plural תִּמְעָ֑לוּ Nehemiah 1:8; Infinitive construct לִמְעֹל, so read for HCT למסר Numbers 31:16 Thes Di; — act unfaithfully, treacherously, usually

1 מָעַל מַ֫עַל:

a. absolute בַּחֵרֶם in the matter of the devoted thing (the sin of Achan) Joshua 7:1 (JE), Joshua 22:20 (P), compare Leviticus 5:15 (P), 2 Chronicles 36:14; Ezekiel 14:13; Ezekiel 15:8; Ezekiel 18:24.

b. wife against (בְּ) husband Numbers 5:12,27 (P; marital infidelity).

c. elsewhere against (בְּ) God, Leviticus 26:40 (H), Leviticus 5:21; Numbers 5:6; Numbers 31:16 (?) Joshua 22:16,31 (all P), 1 Chronicles 10:13; 1 Chronicles 28:19; Ezekiel 17:20; Ezekiel 20:27; Ezekiel 39:26; Daniel 9:7.

2 usage without מַעַל (only late):

a. במשׁפט לא ימעל פיו Proverbs 16:10 let not his (the king's) mouth act treacherously against justice (RV in judgment).

b. elsewhere against God, with בְּ, Deuteronomy 32:51 (P), 1 Chronicles 5:25; 1 Chronicles 12:2; 1 Chronicles 26:22; 1Chron 30:7; Ezra 10:2; Nehemiah 13:27; Ezekiel 39:23; without בְּ, 2 Chronicles 26:18; 29:6; Ezra 10:10; Nehemiah 1:8; בַּחֵרֶם 1 Chronicles 2:7.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G91 (ἀδικέω, adikeō): to do wrong, to act unjustly
• G114 (ἀθετέω, atheteō): to set aside, to reject
• G264 (ἁμαρτάνω, hamartanō): to sin, to miss the mark
• G544 (ἀπειθέω, apeitheō): to disobey, to be unfaithful
• G868 (ἀφίημι, aphiēmi): to send away, to forgive, to forsake
• G2990 (λανθάνω, lanthanō): to escape notice, to be hidden
• G3845 (παραβαίνω, parabainō): to transgress, to go beyond
• G3895 (παρακούω, parakouō): to overhear, to disregard
• G4105 (πλανάω, planaō): to lead astray, to deceive

These Greek terms reflect various aspects of unfaithfulness, deceit, and transgression, paralleling the Hebrew concept of מָעַל (ma'al) in the context of moral and spiritual failure.

Usage: The verb מָעַל (ma'al) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe acts of unfaithfulness, treachery, or deceit, often in the context of breaking faith with God or others. It conveys the idea of acting covertly or deceitfully, often with a sense of betrayal or infidelity.

Context: The Hebrew verb מָעַל (ma'al) is a term that appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, primarily to describe acts of treachery or unfaithfulness. It is often used in relation to covenantal breaches, whether between individuals or between the people of Israel and God. The term suggests a deliberate act of deceit or betrayal, often with serious spiritual or communal consequences.

In the context of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, מָעַל (ma'al) is frequently used to describe the people's unfaithfulness to God's commandments and their turning to idolatry. For example, in Joshua 7:1, the sin of Achan is described using this term: "But the Israelites acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel."

The term is also used in interpersonal relationships, where it denotes betrayal or treachery against another person. In Leviticus 6:2, it is used to describe a situation where someone deceives a neighbor: "If anyone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor about something entrusted to him or left in his care or stolen, or if he cheats him."

The concept of מָעַל (ma'al) underscores the seriousness of faithfulness and integrity in both human and divine relationships. It highlights the moral and spiritual implications of deceit and betrayal, emphasizing the need for repentance and restoration.

Forms and Transliterations

בְּמַֽעֲלוֹ֙ בְּמַעֲל֧וֹ במעלו הַמַּ֤עַל המעל וַיִּֽמְעֲל֔וּ וַיִּמְעֲל֧וּ וַיִּמְעַ֖ל וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל וּמָע֥וֹל וּמָעֲלָ֥ה וימעל וימעלו ומעול ומעלה ותמעל יִמְעַל־ ימעל־ לִמְע֣וֹל לִמְעָל־ לִמְעֹ֖ל לִמְעֹ֥ל למעול למעל למעל־ מְעַלְתֶּ֔ם מְעַלְתֶּ֜ם מְעַלְתֶּ֥ם מְעַלְתֶּם֙ מַ֔עַל מַעֲל֖וֹ מַעֲלָ֖ם מָ֣עֲלוּ מָ֤עַל מָֽעֲלוּ־ מָֽעַל׃ מָעֲל֔וּ מָעֲל֖וּ מָעֲל֣וּ מָעַ֔לְתָּ מָעַ֖ל מָעַ֣לְנוּ מעל מעל׃ מעלו מעלו־ מעלם מעלנו מעלת מעלתם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ תִמְעֹ֣ל תמעל תמעלו bə·ma·‘ă·lōw bəma‘ălōw bemaaLo ham·ma·‘al hamma‘al hamMaal lim‘āl- lim‘ōl lim‘ōwl lim·‘āl- lim·‘ō·wl lim·‘ōl limOl ma‘al mā‘al ma‘ălām mā‘alnū ma‘ălōw mā‘altā mā‘ălū mā‘ălū- ma·‘ă·lām ma·‘ă·lōw mā·‘ă·lū mā·‘ă·lū- ma·‘al mā·‘al mā·‘al·nū mā·‘al·tā Maal maaLam maAlnu maaLo maAlta maaLu mə‘altem mə·‘al·tem mealTem tim‘ālū ṯim‘ōl tim·‘ā·lū ṯim·‘ōl timAlu timOl ū·mā·‘ă·lāh ū·mā·‘ō·wl ūmā‘ălāh ūmā‘ōwl umaaLah umaol vaiyimAl vaiyimaLu vattimOl wat·tim·‘ōl wattim‘ōl way·yim·‘ă·lū way·yim·‘al wayyim‘al wayyim‘ălū yim‘al- yim·‘al- yimal

Englishman's Concordance

Leviticus 5:15
HEB: נֶ֚פֶשׁ כִּֽי־ תִמְעֹ֣ל מַ֔עַל וְחָֽטְאָה֙
NAS: a person acts unfaithfully
KJV: If a soul commit a trespass, and sin
INT: A person If acts unfaithfully and sins

Leviticus 6:2
HEB: כִּ֣י תֶחֱטָ֔א וּמָעֲלָ֥ה מַ֖עַל בַּיהוָ֑ה
NAS: sins and acts unfaithfully
KJV: sin, and commit a trespass
INT: When sins and acts unfaithfully the LORD

Numbers 5:6
HEB: חַטֹּ֣את הָֽאָדָ֔ם לִמְעֹ֥ל מַ֖עַל בַּיהוָ֑ה
NAS: of mankind, acting unfaithfully
KJV: that men commit, to do a trespass
INT: of the sins of mankind acting unfaithfully the LORD

Numbers 5:12
HEB: תִשְׂטֶ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וּמָעֲלָ֥ה ב֖וֹ מָֽעַל׃
KJV: go aside, and commit a trespass
INT: goes wife and commit unfaithful

Numbers 5:27
HEB: אִֽם־ נִטְמְאָה֮ וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל מַ֣עַל בְּאִישָׁהּ֒
NAS: she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful
KJV: then it shall come to pass, [that], if she be defiled, and have done trespass
INT: if has defiled been unfaithful to her husband

Deuteronomy 32:51
HEB: עַל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר מְעַלְתֶּ֜ם בִּ֗י בְּתוֹךְ֙
NAS: because you broke faith with Me in the midst
KJV: Because ye trespassed against me among
INT: and you broke the midst of the sons

Joshua 7:1
HEB: וַיִּמְעֲל֧וּ בְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
NAS: of Israel acted unfaithfully
KJV: of Israel committed a trespass
INT: acted the sons of Israel

Joshua 22:16
HEB: יְהוָ֗ה מָֽה־ הַמַּ֤עַל הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר
NAS: which you have committed against the God
KJV: What trespass [is] this that ye have committed against the God
INT: of the LORD What have committed is this which

Joshua 22:16
HEB: הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר מְעַלְתֶּם֙ בֵּאלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
INT: is this which have committed the God of Israel

Joshua 22:20
HEB: בֶּן־ זֶ֗רַח מָ֤עַל מַ֙עַל֙ בַּחֵ֔רֶם
NAS: of Zerah act unfaithfully
KJV: of Zerah commit a trespass
INT: the son of Zerah act unfaithfully the things

Joshua 22:31
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹֽא־ מְעַלְתֶּ֥ם בַּֽיהוָ֖ה הַמַּ֣עַל
NAS: because you have not committed this
KJV: [is] among us, because ye have not committed this trespass
INT: because have not committed the LORD unfaithful

1 Chronicles 2:7
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר מָעַ֖ל בַּחֵֽרֶם׃ ס
NAS: of Israel, who violated the ban.
KJV: of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.
INT: of Israel who violated the ban

1 Chronicles 5:25
HEB: וַיִּֽמְעֲל֔וּ בֵּאלֹהֵ֖י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם
NAS: But they acted treacherously against the God
KJV: And they transgressed against the God
INT: acted the God of their fathers

1 Chronicles 10:13
HEB: וַיָּ֣מָת שָׁא֗וּל בְּמַֽעֲלוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָעַ֣ל
NAS: which he committed against the LORD,
KJV: for his transgression which he committed against the LORD,
INT: died Saul committed which his trespass

2 Chronicles 12:2
HEB: יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם כִּ֥י מָעֲל֖וּ בַּיהוָֽה׃
NAS: because they had been unfaithful to the LORD,
KJV: against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,
INT: Jerusalem because had been to the LORD

2 Chronicles 26:16
HEB: עַד־ לְהַשְׁחִ֔ית וַיִּמְעַ֖ל בַּיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו
NAS: that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD
KJV: to [his] destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD
INT: against acted was unfaithful to the LORD his God

2 Chronicles 26:18
HEB: הַמִּקְדָּשׁ֙ כִּ֣י מָעַ֔לְתָּ וְלֹֽא־ לְךָ֥
NAS: out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no
KJV: of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither [shall it be] for thine honour
INT: of the sanctuary for have been and will have no honor

2 Chronicles 28:19
HEB: הִפְרִ֙יעַ֙ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה וּמָע֥וֹל מַ֖עַל בַּיהוָֽה׃
KJV: naked, and transgressed sore
INT: had brought Judah and transgressed was very to the LORD

2 Chronicles 28:22
HEB: ל֔וֹ וַיּ֖וֹסֶף לִמְע֣וֹל בַּיהוָ֑ה ה֖וּא
NAS: King Ahaz became yet more unfaithful
KJV: of his distress did he trespass yet more
INT: of his distress yet became to the LORD this

2 Chronicles 29:6
HEB: כִּֽי־ מָעֲל֣וּ אֲבֹתֵ֗ינוּ וְעָשׂ֥וּ
NAS: For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done
KJV: For our fathers have trespassed, and done
INT: for have been our fathers done

2 Chronicles 30:7
HEB: וְכַ֣אֲחֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָעֲל֔וּ בַּיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י
NAS: who were unfaithful to the LORD
KJV: and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD
INT: and your brothers who were unfaithful to the LORD God

2 Chronicles 36:14
HEB: [לִמְעֹול־ כ] (לִמְעָל־ מַ֔עַל ק)
INT: and the people were very transgressed transgressed all

2 Chronicles 36:14
HEB: כ] (לִמְעָל־ מַ֔עַל ק) כְּכֹ֖ל
KJV: and the people, transgressed very
INT: were very transgressed transgressed all the abominations

Ezra 10:2
HEB: לְעֶזְרָ֔א אֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙ מָעַ֣לְנוּ בֵאלֹהֵ֔ינוּ וַנֹּ֛שֶׁב
NAS: to Ezra, We have been unfaithful to our God
KJV: unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God,
INT: to Ezra we have been to our God married

Ezra 10:10
HEB: אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אַתֶּ֣ם מְעַלְתֶּ֔ם וַתֹּשִׁ֖יבוּ נָשִׁ֣ים
NAS: up and said to them, You have been unfaithful and have married
KJV: and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken
INT: about You have been married wives

36 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4603
36 Occurrences

bə·ma·‘ă·lōw — 2 Occ.
ham·ma·‘al — 1 Occ.
lim·‘ōl — 5 Occ.
mā·‘al — 4 Occ.
ma·‘ă·lām — 1 Occ.
mā·‘al·nū — 1 Occ.
ma·‘ă·lōw — 1 Occ.
mā·‘al·tā — 1 Occ.
mā·‘ă·lū — 6 Occ.
mə·‘al·tem — 4 Occ.
tim·‘ā·lū — 1 Occ.
ṯim·‘ōl — 1 Occ.
ū·mā·‘ă·lāh — 2 Occ.
ū·mā·‘ō·wl — 1 Occ.
way·yim·‘al — 1 Occ.
way·yim·‘ă·lū — 2 Occ.
wat·tim·‘ōl — 1 Occ.
yim·‘al- — 1 Occ.