מִקְלַ֫עַת (miq.la.at)
miq.la.at
engraving
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun miqleʿat refers to a carved or engraved design, specifically one made on hard materials like stone or metal. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only four times, all within the narrative of King Solomon’s temple construction in 1 Kings (6:29, 32, 35, 36). The word describes the intricate reliefs that adorned the interior walls and doors of the Holy Place.
Its meaning is rooted in the action of carving, suggesting a deliberate artistic process rather than natural formation. The sources indicate it denotes the physical act or result of engraving, often associated with cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. This term highlights the craftsmanship involved in creating the sacred space, where detailed artistry served to embellish the sanctuary.
Translators typically render miqleʿat as "carving" or "engravings," capturing the tactile nature of the work. The word underscores the value placed on skilled labor in biblical worship spaces, showing how artistic expression was integrated into religious architecture. Its limited usage emphasizes its specific role in describing Solomon’s temple decorations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word miqleʿat describes the deliberate artistry used to decorate Solomon’s temple. It refers to carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers that adorned the walls and doors. This term highlights how skilled labor was valued in creating sacred spaces. The intricate reliefs were not random but required careful planning and execution.
For your faith, this word reminds us that beauty matters in worship. God’s sanctuary was filled with detailed craftsmanship, showing that artistic expression can enhance religious experience. When you encounter miqleʿat in Scripture, consider how intentional design reflects reverence for the divine. This integration of art and spirituality invites reflection on how we create meaningful spaces today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- carvings of2×
- carvings1×
- carving of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִקְלָע֔וֹת1×
- מִקְלַ֣עַת1×
- מִקְלְעוֹת֙1×
- מִקְלְע֨וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 6:29
He carved all the walls of the house around with carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, inside and outside.
This verse explicitly mentions miqleʿat as the carved figures decorating both interior and exterior walls, establishing its primary context in temple architecture.
-
I Kings 6:32
So he made two doors of olive wood; and he carved on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold. He spread the gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees.
Here miqleʿat describes the detailed carvings on olive wood doors overlaid with gold, emphasizing the precious materials used in sacred craftsmanship.
-
I Kings 7:31
Its opening within the capital and above was a cubit. Its opening was round like the work of a pedestal, a cubit and a half; and also on its opening were engravings, and their panels were square, not round.
This occurrence refers to engravings on bronze pillars, showing how miqleʿat extended beyond walls to structural elements of the temple complex.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does miqleʿat mean in the Bible?
Where does miqleʿat appear in Scripture?
Why is miqleʿat significant for understanding worship?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
I Kings 4 verses
There was cedar on the house within, carved with buds and open flowers. All was cedar. No stone was visible.
I Kings 6:29He carved all the walls of the house around with carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, inside and…
I Kings 6:32So he made two doors of olive wood; and he carved on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and…
I Kings 7:31Its opening within the capital and above was a cubit. Its opening was round like the work of a pedestal, a cubit and a…