מִשְׁאָלָה (mish.a.lah)
mish.a.lah
petition
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun mish’alah denotes a specific kind of request or petition, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at Psalm 132:1-5. In this context, it describes David’s earnest desire for God to rest in Zion, framing his plea not as a casual wish but as a focused supplication.
Its root suggests asking or demanding, yet the form implies a humble entreaty rather than a command. This distinction is vital in Psalms, where the language of petition balances human need with divine sovereignty. The word captures the act of bringing a specific need before God, acknowledging His power to grant it while maintaining a posture of reverence.
Though rare, its single occurrence highlights the importance of persistent prayer. David’s mish’alah was driven by a deep commitment to God’s dwelling place, showing that genuine petitions are rooted in devotion rather than mere self-interest. This usage reminds readers that biblical prayer involves both clear requests and a heart aligned with God’s purposes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mish’alah appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Psalm 132. It describes David’s earnest petition for God to dwell in Zion. This rare term highlights that prayer is not a casual wish but a focused supplication. It invites us to bring our specific needs before God with humility and reverence.
When we pray, we acknowledge God’s power while maintaining a posture of respect. David’s request was rooted in devotion to God’s purposes, not just personal desire. This reminds us that genuine prayer aligns our hearts with what matters most to Him.
In your own life, you can approach God with confidence. Bring your specific requests to Him, trusting that He hears and cares. This word encourages persistence in prayer, knowing that your petitions are seen and valued by the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] requests of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׁאֲלֹ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 37:4
Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
This verse connects delighting in God with receiving heart desires, illustrating how aligned petitions flow from a relationship with Him.