Lexical Summary mappeleth: Ruin, downfall, overthrow Original Word: מַפֶּלֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance carcass, fall, ruin From naphal; fall, i.e. Decadence; concretely, a ruin; specifically a carcase -- carcase, fall, ruin. see HEBREW naphal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naphal Definition carcass, ruin, an overthrow NASB Translation carcass (1), fall (5), overthrow (1), ruin (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַמֶּ֫לֶת noun feminine carcass, ruin, overthrow; — 1 carcass, of lion, ׳מ construct Judges 14:8. 2 elsewhere suffix a. a ruin, מַמַּלְתּוֺ Ezekiel 31:13 (kg. under figure of tree). b. overthrow, id. Ezekiel 31:16 (same figurative); מַמַּלְתֶּ֑ךָ (kg.) Ezekiel 32:10; מַמַּלְתֵּךְ of Tyre) Ezekiel 26:15,18; Ezekiel 27:27; מַמַּלְתָּם (of wicked) Proverbs 29:16. Topical Lexicon Scope and Significance While מַפֶּלֶת depicts any “fall” or “collapse,” its inspired usage consistently points to the visible outcome of moral or spiritual failure—whether in an individual body (Judges), in societal wickedness (Proverbs), or in whole kingdoms (Ezekiel). The term therefore traces a theological thread: what opposes God cannot stand, and its inevitable ruin becomes a testimony to His justice. Narrative Usage: The Lion’s Carcass (Judges 14:8) Samson finds “a swarm of bees with honey in the carcass of the lion” (Judges 14:8). The fallen lion is a concrete, even startling picture of מַפֶּלֶת. What once threatened Israel’s judge lies powerless on the roadside, its demise turned into nourishment for God’s servant. The episode foreshadows how the Lord can transform every apparent victory of evil into sustenance for His purposes (compare Romans 8:28). In ministry, this event encourages believers to revisit past defeats and discern unexpected evidences of divine provision. Wisdom Usage: The Downfall of the Wicked (Proverbs 29:16) “When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall” (Proverbs 29:16). Here מַפֶּלֶת functions as a moral guarantee embedded in the created order. It reinforces a central axiom of Biblical wisdom: the prosperity of evil is temporary, and righteousness will ultimately be vindicated (Psalm 37:34; Galatians 6:7–8). Pastors and parents alike may employ this verse to temper impatience with God’s timing, fostering perseverance in holiness. Prophetic Usage: National Collapse (Ezekiel 26–32) Ezekiel applies מַפֶּלֶת more than any other writer, announcing the demise of Tyre, Assyria, and Egypt. Representative texts include: Several patterns emerge: 1. Public Impact — The word is paired with trembling, terror, and mourning among surrounding peoples. Judgment on one nation becomes a sermon to all nations (Ezekiel 32:10). Theological Themes 1. Retributive Justice: מַפֶּלֶת underscores the certainty of divine recompense. What descends is not merely an unfortunate accident but a verdict carried out by the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25). Historical Context • Judges: Circa twelfth century BC, Israel is still consolidating tribal identity; Samson’s episodic exploits reveal both national weakness and God’s overriding strength. Ministry Applications • Pastoral Counseling: Use the imagery of מַפֶּלֶת to remind believers that unconfessed sin, though hidden for a season, culminates in visible ruin (Numbers 32:23). Summary Whether describing a lion’s carcass, the fate of the wicked, or the crumbling of empires, מַפֶּלֶת serves as a canonical reminder that every opponent of God’s righteousness must fall. Yet within each downfall lies an invitation: to recognize the Lord’s sovereignty, to persevere in righteousness, and to join in His redemptive purposes amid the ruins. Forms and Transliterations בְּֽמַפַּלְתָּ֥ם במפלתם מַפֶּ֣לֶת מַפַּלְתֵּ֑ךְ מַפַּלְתֵּ֗ךְ מַפַּלְתֵּֽךְ׃ מַפַּלְתֶּֽךָ׃ מַפַּלְתּ֥וֹ מַפַּלְתּוֹ֙ מפלת מפלתו מפלתך מפלתך׃ bə·map·pal·tām bemappalTam bəmappaltām map·pal·te·ḵā map·pal·têḵ map·pal·tōw map·pe·leṯ mappalTech mappalTecha mappaltêḵ mappalteḵā mappalTo mappaltōw mapPelet mappeleṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 14:8 HEB: לִרְא֔וֹת אֵ֖ת מַפֶּ֣לֶת הָאַרְיֵ֑ה וְהִנֵּ֨ה NAS: to look at the carcass of the lion; KJV: to see the carcase of the lion: INT: turned to look the carcass of the lion and behold Proverbs 29:16 Ezekiel 26:15 Ezekiel 26:18 Ezekiel 27:27 Ezekiel 31:13 Ezekiel 31:16 Ezekiel 32:10 8 Occurrences |
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