מִגְדּוֹל (mig.dol)
mig.dol
tower; Migdol
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun migdol denotes a tower, specifically one that is fortified and imposing. In the biblical text, it appears in only five verses, often serving as a concrete image of strength or defense. For instance, in 2 Samuel 22:51, David praises God as his “tower,” using the term to describe a place of safety and refuge from enemies.
While the word generally means any tall structure, it also functions as a proper noun for Migdol, a fortified city located on the northeastern border of Egypt. This geographical specificity appears in passages like Jeremiah 44:1, where the location is cited as a place of Jewish settlement. The dual usage highlights how physical structures in the ancient Near East often carried both literal and symbolic weight, representing military power and divine protection.
Etymologically, migdol relates to the concept of height or elevation, distinguishing it from other words for fortifications that might emphasize walls rather than verticality. Translators typically render it simply as “tower,” preserving the sense of a high, watchful structure. This lexical choice helps readers visualize the security and prominence associated with both the physical cities and the metaphorical reliance on God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word migdol brings to mind a high, fortified structure built for safety. In ancient times, these towers offered protection from enemies and served as watchpoints over the land. When Scripture uses this image, it often points to God as a place of refuge where we can find security in difficult times.
David experienced this reality deeply. He described God as his tower, highlighting divine strength that shields believers from harm. This metaphor reminds us that trust in God provides a solid foundation when circumstances feel unstable or threatening.
Whether referring to physical fortresses or spiritual reliance, the concept encourages faithfulness. We can look to Scripture for comfort, knowing that the same power protecting ancient cities remains available to those who seek Him today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Migdol2×
- Migdol2×
- [the] tower1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִגְדֹּֽל\׃1×
- מִגְדֹּ֖ל1×
- מִגְדּ֖וֹל1×
- בְּ/מִגְדֹּל֙1×
- בְ/מִגְדּ֔וֹל1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 22:51
He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.”
This verse explicitly identifies God as David's tower, using the term metaphorically to describe divine deliverance and protection.
-
Exodus 14:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You shall encamp opposite it by the sea.
Here Migdol is a geographical landmark near the sea, marking the specific location where Israel encamped before crossing.
-
Jeremiah 44:1
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who lived in the land of Egypt, who lived at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Memphis, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
The text lists Migdol as one of the settlements in Egypt where Jewish exiles had established themselves after fleeing Judah.