מָלֵא (ma.le)
ma.le
full
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 54 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective male means full, whether describing physical space or abstract qualities. It appears frequently in Numbers to list the contents of sacrificial vessels, such as golden bowls filled with incense (Numbers 7:14). The same word describes houses filled with good things (Deuteronomy 6:11) or a person who is fully satisfied.
Its meaning extends beyond mere volume. In Isaiah 6:1, the prophet sees the temple filled with God’s glory, where the train of His robe fills the sanctuary. Jeremiah uses it to describe being full of wrath (Jeremiah 6:11) or full of days, indicating advanced age (Isaiah 1:21). The word captures a state of completeness.
Derived from the root mal’â, meaning to fill, male functions as an adjective describing the result of that action. Translators often render it simply as "full," though context determines whether it refers to physical capacity or moral and spiritual saturation. This usage highlights how ancient Hebrew thought linked physical abundance with divine blessing or judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word male describes a state of completeness, whether in physical space or spiritual reality. In ancient Israel, sacrificial vessels were never offered half-empty. The priests filled golden ladles with incense and silver bowls with flour mixed with oil, ensuring every offering was whole and complete (Numbers 7:14). This precision reflected a heart that gave its best to God, not leftovers or partial efforts.
Yet this word carries weight beyond ritual objects. It describes the temple filled with divine glory, where the prophet Isaiah saw the train of God’s robe filling the sanctuary (Isaiah 6:1). It also speaks to human experience, describing those who are full of days or full of wrath. The text invites us to consider what fills our own lives. Are we holding onto bitterness, or are we open to being filled with peace and purpose?
When we face seasons of emptiness or distraction, this word reminds us that God desires wholeness. He does not ask for fragments of our attention but the fullness of our trust. We can bring our incomplete moments to Him, knowing He works to make them whole.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 54 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- full28×
- [were] full12×
- [is] full2×
- which/ [are] full1×
- the/ full [woman]1×
- he was full1×
- full of1×
- and/ the/ full [one]1×
- and/ full1×
- and/ <the>/ full1×
- [will be] full1×
- [was] full1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְלֵאָ֥ה12×
- מְלֵאִ֗ים12×
- מָלֵ֑א3×
- מְלֵאָ֣ה3×
- מָלֵא֙2×
- מְלֵאִ֣ים2×
- מָלֵא\־1×
- מָלֵ֥א1×
- מָלֵ֜א1×
- מָלֵ֛א1×
- מָ֣לֵא1×
- מָ֝לֵ֗א1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 7:14
one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
This verse specifies that the golden ladle was full of incense, illustrating the requirement for complete offerings in worship.
-
Genesis 41:22
I saw in my dream, and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, full and good;
The dream describes grain heads that were full and good, symbolizing abundance before a coming period of scarcity.
-
Numbers 7:13
and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
The silver bowls were full of fine flour mixed with oil, showing how the ritual required specific, measured completeness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word male mean?
How is male different from other words for fullness?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (54 verses across 14 books)
Genesis 3 verses
that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price let him…
Genesis 41:7The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.
Genesis 41:22I saw in my dream, and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, full and good;