מְצִלָּה (me.tsil.lah)
me.tsil.lah
bell
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 meṣillāh refers specifically to a bell, likely one made of metal that produces a clear sound when struck or moved. Its meaning is derived from the root action of tinkling or ringing, pointing directly to its function as an auditory object rather than a decorative one.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Zechariah 14:20. The prophet envisions a future where even the bells on horses are considered holy. This singular usage suggests that the sound of these bells was recognizable enough to serve as a symbol of sacredness extending into everyday life and military equipment.
Translators consistently render meṣillāh as "bell" because the context leaves no room for ambiguity. The verse describes a time when there will be no more traders in the house of the Lord, implying that the bells on horses would join other sacred items in being set apart for God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word meṣillah appears only once in Scripture, yet it carries a profound vision of God’s future restoration. In Zechariah 14:20, the prophet describes a time when even the bells on horses will bear the inscription “Holy to Yahweh.” This image suggests that holiness is not confined to temple vessels or priestly garments but extends into the most ordinary aspects of daily life and work.
For believers today, this reminds us that our entire existence can be set apart for God. The sound of these bells would have been a constant reminder in ancient streets that every action, whether sacred or secular, belongs to the Lord. It invites us to view our routines not as distractions from faith but as opportunities to reflect His presence.
This single occurrence points to a reality where separation between the holy and the common dissolves. We are encouraged to live with the awareness that God desires to sanctify all areas of our lives, bringing peace and purpose to every detail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] bells of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְצִלּ֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Zechariah 14:20
In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO YAHWEH”; and the pots in Yahweh’s house will be like the bowls before the altar.
This verse uniquely applies the concept of holiness to military equipment, showing that God's sanctity extends beyond the temple into everyday life.