מַעֲלָה (ma.a.lah)
ma.a.lah
thought; step
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ma’alah literally means "that which goes up," referring to a step or stair. It describes the physical act of ascending, whether climbing a staircase, moving up through stories in a building, or walking up the steps of a sundial as recorded in 2 Kings 23:8 and Isaiah 38:8.
Its meaning extends beyond mere stairs to include the concept of ascent itself. This usage appears when describing the levels of heaven or the journey toward Jerusalem for the great pilgrim feasts, which is why it titles several Psalms known as Songs of Ascents.
The word captures both the physical effort of rising and the spiritual movement toward God. It reminds readers that worship often involves a deliberate upward direction, whether through literal steps in the temple or the metaphorical climb of faith described in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ma’alah points to a physical step or an ascent, capturing both the effort of climbing and the direction of moving upward. In the ancient world, this was not just about stairs in a palace or temple; it described the journey toward Jerusalem for pilgrimages and the deliberate act of seeking God’s presence. When we read of steps leading up to a throne or shadows reversing on a sundial, we see a tangible reminder that faith often involves movement.
For your daily life, this concept invites you to view your spiritual walk as an active ascent. It is not about passive waiting but about taking the next step in trust, whether that means climbing toward God in prayer or moving forward in obedience despite uncertainty. The physical effort of rising mirrors the heart’s desire to draw nearer to the Creator who establishes the heavens and sustains the earth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- steps9×
- the/ steps5×
- the/ going up2×
- on/ [the] steps of2×
- on the/ steps2×
- stairs/ his1×
- on/ steps1×
- [the] steps of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַעֲלֽוֹת\׃2×
- מַעֲל֣וֹת2×
- מַעֲל֑וֹת2×
- הַֽ/מַּעֲלָ֖ה2×
- הַֽ/מַּעֲל֖וֹת2×
- מַעֲלוֹתָ֔י/ו1×
- מַעֲלוֹת֙1×
- מַעֲלֽוֹת\׃\ \פ1×
- מַעֲל֔וֹת1×
- מַֽעֲל֔וֹת1×
- הַֽ/מַּעֲל֡וֹת1×
- הַֽ/מַּעֲל֔וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 20:26
You shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.’
This verse distinguishes the approach to God’s altar from mere physical elevation, emphasizing reverence over architectural grandeur.
-
II Kings 20:11
Isaiah the prophet cried to Yahweh; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.
Here the word describes the specific steps on Ahaz’s sundial that moved backward as a divine sign of healing and extended life.
-
Nehemiah 12:37
By the spring gate, and straight before them, they went up by the stairs of David’s city, at the ascent of the wall, above David’s house, even to the water gate eastward.
The text records the procession going up by the stairs of David’s city, linking physical ascent with communal worship and celebration.
-
Amos 9:6
It is he who builds his rooms in the heavens, and has founded his vault on the earth; he who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the surface of the earth—Yahweh is his name.
Though translated as 'rooms' or 'chambers,' this usage highlights God’s sovereign construction of the heavens, showing His power over all levels of creation.