Lexical Summary mappal: Fall, downfall, overthrow Original Word: מַפָּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance flake, refuse From naphal; a falling off, i.e. Chaff; also something pendulous, i.e. A flap -- flake, refuse. see HEBREW naphal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naphal Definition refuse, hanging parts NASB Translation folds (1), refuse (1), strong (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מַמָּל] noun masculineJob 41:15 refuse, hanging parts; — 1 fallings, refuse, construct מַמַּל בַּר Amos 8:6 the refuse of wheat. 2 plural construct מַמְּלֵי בְשָׂרוֺ Job 41:15 the hanging (falling, drooping) parts of his flesh (of crocodile). Topical Lexicon Meaning and NuanceDerived from the verb “to fall,” מַפָּל (mapal) denotes what has fallen away—flakes, refuse, chaff, or any fragment that drops off the main body. In both occurrences the word retains this core sense while serving very different literary and theological purposes. Old Testament Usage Only two inspired texts employ מַפָּל. Together they contrast invincible strength with moral collapse, using the same term to portray both the firmness of Leviathan’s “flakes” and the worthlessness of grain “refuse” sold by the unscrupulous. Literary Setting in Job In Job 41 the Lord challenges Job’s understanding of creation through a majestic portrait of Leviathan. “The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable” (Job 41:23). The “flakes” (mapal) of this creature do not fall away; they are locked together, underscoring an unassailable structure that no human can dismantle. The image magnifies divine sovereignty: even the parts that ought to be most vulnerable remain unshaken. God alone could design such coherence. Socio-Economic Setting in Amos Amos exposes merchants who “buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat” (Amos 8:6). Here מַפָּל is the refuse swept from the threshing floor. By mixing worthless chaff into grain, traders commit fraud and exploit the powerless. The prophet links this injustice to cosmic judgment (Amos 8:9–10). What has merely “fallen off” becomes evidence of a fallen society. Theological Themes 1. Divine Authority: In Job, מַפָּל reinforces the Creator’s unmatched power by displaying a creature whose smallest portions are immovable. Ministry Implications • Integrity in Commerce: Modern believers must refuse practices that resemble selling the “refuse of the wheat.” Transparent dealings honor the Lord who sees hidden chaff. Christological Perspective Jesus Christ embodies both the strength pictured in Job and the justice demanded in Amos. As the undefeatable One (Revelation 5:5) He protects His people with unbreakable “armor” (Ephesians 6:10–17). As the righteous Judge (Acts 17:31) He condemns deceit and champions the oppressed. Through the cross, worthless “refuse” is redeemed and built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4–5). Practical Reflection The dual imagery of מַפָּל warns against allowing moral fragments to accumulate in our lives. When small failings are left unchecked, they become chaff that the Lord will expose. Conversely, God can bind our broken pieces as firmly as Leviathan’s flakes, forging steadfast character by His grace. Thus, the brief but potent appearance of מַפָּל challenges believers to marvel at divine craftsmanship, practice economic righteousness, and trust the One who judges and restores all that has fallen. Forms and Transliterations וּמַפַּ֥ל ומפל מַפְּלֵ֣י מפלי map·pə·lê mappəlê mappeLei ū·map·pal umapPal ūmappalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 41:23 HEB: מַפְּלֵ֣י בְשָׂר֣וֹ דָבֵ֑קוּ NAS: The folds of his flesh KJV: The flakes of his flesh INT: the folds of his flesh are joined Amos 8:6 2 Occurrences |
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