4606. meal

Lexicon

meal: Meal, offering, ascent

Original Word: מֵעָל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: me`al
Pronunciation: mah-ah-lah
Phonetic Spelling: (may-awl')
Definition: Meal, offering, ascent
Meaning: the setting

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

going down

(Aramaic) from alal; (only in plural as singular) the setting (of the sun) -- going down.

see HEBREW alal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) from alal
Definition
a going in
NASB Translation
sunset* (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[מֶעָל] noun [masculine] going in (Syriac, ᵑ7^J; ᵑ7^Onk, etc., מַעֲלָנָא); — plural construct מֶעָלֵי שִׁמְשָׁא Daniel 6:15 i.e. sunset (so read Nö^{GGA, 1884, 1020 Str M} Bev, compare Syriac , ; > van d. H. Gi מֵעָלֵי, Baer מַעֲלֵי; compare K^{§, Beisp.} b)).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Aramaic; derived from the root עָלָה (alah), meaning "to go up" or "to ascend."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G1424: δῶρον (doron) • a gift or offering, often used in the context of something given from above.
- G1883: ἐπάνω (epano) • above, over, or upon, indicating a position of elevation.
- G2073: ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazo) • to prepare or make ready, often implying preparation from a higher authority.
- G2233: ἡγέομαι (hegeomai) • to lead or consider, suggesting guidance or authority from above.
- G5231: ὑπερέχω (hyperecho) • to excel or surpass, indicating superiority or elevation above others.

These Greek terms, while not direct translations, share thematic elements with מֵעָל in terms of authority, elevation, and origin from a higher position.

Usage: This Aramaic term is used in the context of describing the removal or setting of something from a higher position. It is found in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Daniel and Ezra.

Context: מֵעָל (me'al) is an Aramaic preposition that appears in the context of the exilic and post-exilic periods of Israel's history, specifically in the books of Daniel and Ezra. The term is used to describe actions or movements that originate from a higher place or position. In the Berean Standard Bible, it is translated as "from above" or "from upon," indicating a removal or setting from an elevated position.

In the book of Daniel, מֵעָל is used to describe the removal of authority or power, as seen in Daniel 6:26, where it is stated, "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel." Here, the term underscores the divine authority that supersedes earthly power.

In Ezra, the term is used in the context of the rebuilding of the temple, emphasizing the divine mandate and authority that comes from above, guiding the restoration efforts of the Jewish people.

The use of מֵעָל in these contexts highlights the theological theme of divine sovereignty and the ultimate authority of God over earthly rulers and structures. It serves as a reminder of the transcendent nature of God's power and the importance of aligning human actions with divine will.

Forms and Transliterations

מֶֽעָלֵ֣י מעלי me‘ālê me·‘ā·lê meaLei

Englishman's Concordance

Daniel 6:14
HEB: לְשֵׁיזָבוּתֵ֑הּ וְעַד֙ מֶֽעָלֵ֣י שִׁמְשָׁ֔א הֲוָ֥א
NAS: and even until sunset he kept exerting
KJV: till the going down of the sun
INT: delivering until down of the sun kept

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4606
1 Occurrence

me·‘ā·lê — 1 Occ.