מִשְׁעוֹל (mish.ol)
mish.ol
passage
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mish’ol refers to a narrow passage or hollow way, often describing a path confined on both sides. Its primary occurrence in Scripture appears in Numbers 22:24, where it depicts the road shut in between vineyards that trapped Balaam’s donkey. This specific setting highlights how the word conveys a sense of restriction, with walls of vegetation or earth pressing in from either side.
While the term generally signifies a narrow route, its most vivid usage anchors it in agricultural landscapes. The image of a path enclosed by vineyards suggests a place where movement is limited and visibility might be reduced. Translators typically render it as "narrow way" or "hollow way," capturing the physical constraint that defines this particular type of passage in the ancient Near Eastern terrain.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mish’ol describes a narrow passage, often bounded by walls or vegetation, creating a sense of confinement. In Numbers 22:24, this term paints a vivid picture of a path shut in between vineyards, where Balaam’s donkey found itself trapped. This imagery reminds us that life sometimes feels like a tight corridor, with obstacles pressing in from both sides and visibility limited.
Yet, even in these restricted spaces, God remains present and active. The story does not end with the donkey being stuck; instead, it becomes a moment of divine intervention and clarity. When you feel confined by circumstances or unable to see a way forward, remember that God can open doors where none seem to exist. His guidance is not limited by the narrowness of your path.
This word encourages trust in times of constraint. It invites us to pause, listen, and recognize that God’s purposes are unfolding even when we cannot see the full picture. In the tightest passages, He walks with us, offering peace and direction beyond what our eyes can perceive.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ [the] narrow way of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/מִשְׁע֖וֹל1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 22:24
Then Yahweh’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
This verse uses mish’ol to describe a narrow path between vineyards, highlighting how physical restriction becomes the setting for divine intervention.