מִנְעָל (min.al)
min.al
bolt
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun min‘al refers to a shoe or sandal, specifically the footwear worn on the foot. It appears only once in the entire Old Testament, within the blessing Moses pronounced over the tribe of Asher in Deuteronomy 33:25.
In this poetic context, the word is part of a vivid promise that Asher’s shoes will be made of iron and bronze. This imagery suggests durability and strength, implying that their provisions and protection would be as solid and unbreakable as metal footwear. The term itself does not distinguish between specific styles of ancient sandals, focusing instead on the function of covering and protecting the foot.
While the word is rare in Scripture, its single occurrence carries significant weight by linking physical comfort with divine provision. Translators consistently render it as "shoe" or "sandal," preserving the concrete nature of the metaphor used to describe the tribe’s future security.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Moses blessed the tribe of Asher, he used a striking image to describe their future security: their shoes would be made of iron and bronze. This rare word for footwear reminds us that God cares about the practical details of our lives. He does not just offer abstract comfort; He provides tangible strength for the journey ahead.
In your own life, this promise speaks to the durability of divine provision. Just as metal footwear protects against rough terrain, God’s grace sustains you through difficult seasons. You can trust that His support is as solid and unbreakable as the materials Moses described, giving you confidence to face whatever lies ahead.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bolts/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִנְעָלֶ֑י/ךָ1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 33:25
Your bars will be iron and bronze. As your days, so your strength will be.
This verse uniquely uses the term for footwear to symbolize the enduring strength and protection God promises to the tribe of Asher.