מָעַל (ma.al)
ma.al
be unfaithful
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb maʿal describes a breach of trust, meaning to act treacherously or unfaithfully. It is not merely an error but a deliberate violation of a sacred bond. The sources describe it as acting covertly, suggesting that the offense involves hiding one’s true intentions behind a facade of loyalty.
This word appears in contexts ranging from marital infidelity to political rebellion and religious idolatry. In Joshua 7:1, Achan is accused of maʿal against the devoted things, showing how it applies to violating holy commands. Similarly, in 2 Chronicles 26:18, priests are rebuked for transgressing against the Lord by overstepping their authority.
A notable feature of maʿal is its connection to priestly language and legal codes. It often carries the weight of a trespass requiring restitution, as seen in Leviticus 5:15 where it refers to mishandling holy things. The term underscores that faithfulness is not optional but foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ma'al describes a breach of trust that goes beyond simple mistake. It refers to acting treacherously or unfaithfully, often hiding true intentions behind a facade of loyalty. This concept appears in contexts ranging from marital infidelity to political rebellion and religious idolatry. In Joshua 7:1, Achan’s secret violation of devoted things shows how such actions affect the whole community.
Understanding this word helps us see that faithfulness is foundational to our relationship with God. It is not optional but essential for maintaining the covenant bond. When we acknowledge our failures, as seen in Leviticus 26:40, there is a path toward restoration through confession and repentance.
This awareness invites us to examine our own lives with honesty. We are called to live transparently before God, recognizing that He values integrity over outward appearances. By striving for faithfulness in all areas, we honor the sacred trust placed in us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you have acted unfaithfully4×
- they acted unfaithfully4×
- to/ act unfaithfully3×
- it will act unfaithfully2×
- and/ they acted unfaithfully2×
- you will act unfaithfully1×
- you acted unfaithfully1×
- we have acted unfaithfully1×
- unfaithfulness1×
- they had acted unfaithfully1×
- he had acted unfaithfully1×
- he acted unfaithfully1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָֽעֲלוּ\־2×
- תִּמְעָ֔לוּ1×
- תִמְעֹ֣ל1×
- מָעַ֣לְנוּ1×
- מָעַ֣ל1×
- מָעַ֖ל1×
- מָעַ֔לְתָּ1×
- מָעֲל֣וּ1×
- מָעֲל֖וּ1×
- מָעֲל֔וּ1×
- מָ֤עַל1×
- מַ֖עַל1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against the children of Israel.
This verse illustrates how Achan's secret violation of devoted things brought God's anger upon the entire community, highlighting the communal impact of individual treachery.
-
Leviticus 26:40
“‘If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against me; and also that because they walked contrary to me,
Here, the possibility of confession and restoration is presented, showing that even after trespassing against God, there is a way back through acknowledging iniquity.
-
Ezra 10:2
Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.
Shecaniah’s response to Ezra acknowledges the people's trespass in marrying foreign women but also offers hope, demonstrating that repentance can lead to renewal.