מְחִלָּה (me.chil.lah)
me.chil.lah
hole
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun meḥillah refers to a physical hole or cavern. It appears only once in the entire Bible, in Isaiah 2:19. In this context, people flee into these dark openings to hide from the terror of the Lord.
The word describes a concrete place of concealment rather than an abstract concept. The imagery suggests desperation and fear, as those who face divine judgment seek refuge in the earth itself. This single usage highlights a stark contrast between human attempts to escape and the overwhelming presence of God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word meḥillah describes a physical hole or cavern where people hide. Isaiah 2:19 uses it to show those fleeing from God's presence during judgment. This image reminds us that no place is too dark or deep for God to find us. It highlights the futility of trying to escape divine reality.
For your faith, this word offers a sobering truth: we cannot outrun God. Yet it also points to our need for refuge. When fear overwhelms us, we might seek hidden places like these caves. The Bible invites us instead to trust in God's protection rather than hiding in shame or terror.
This single usage underscores the seriousness of facing God. It calls us to live openly before Him, without needing to conceal our lives. In times of anxiety, remember that God seeks relationship, not just obedience. His presence is both awe-inspiring and a source of true safety for those who trust in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ in/ holes of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בִ/מְחִלּ֖וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 2:19
Men shall go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of Yahweh, and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake the earth mightily.
This verse uses meḥillah to depict the desperate attempt of people to hide from God's terrifying majesty by seeking shelter in earth's hollows.