Strong's Lexicon
ma'alah: Ascent, step, stair, elevation, degree
Original Word:מַעֲלָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:ma`alah
Pronunciation:mah-ah-lah
Phonetic Spelling:(mah-al-aw')
Definition:Ascent, step, stair, elevation, degree
Meaning:elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression
Word Origin:Derived from the root עָלָה (alah), meaning "to go up" or "ascend."
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: -G305: ἀναβαίνω (anabainō) - to go up, ascend
-G306: ἀνάβασις (anabasis) - ascent, going up
Usage:The Hebrew word "ma'alah" primarily refers to a physical or metaphorical ascent or step. It can denote a literal step or stair in a structure, an elevation in geographical terms, or a figurative rise in status or spiritual condition. In the context of the Psalms, it is often associated with the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), which were sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for the feasts.
Cultural and Historical Background:In ancient Israel, the concept of ascent was significant both physically and spiritually. Jerusalem, situated on a hill, required physical ascent for pilgrims traveling to the city for religious festivals. This journey symbolized a spiritual ascent towards God. The "Songs of Ascents" were likely sung during these pilgrimages, reflecting themes of worship, repentance, and divine protection. The idea of ascent also appears in the construction of the Temple, where steps led to the holy places, symbolizing a journey towards holiness.
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. [] ; — plural construct
Ezekiel 11:5, i.e. your thoughts.
II.46 ; —Ezra 7:9;1 Chronicles 17:17; pluralIsaiah 38:8 +, suffixAmos 9:6, etc.; —
step, stair of templeEzekiel 40:6 5t. 40, and temple porchEzekiel 40:49; of altarExodus 20:26 (E) (forbidden, compare RSOTJC xii, n. l; 2nd ed. 358)Ezekiel 43:17 (prescribed); of house2 Kings 9:13, of throne1 Kings 10:19,20; 2Chronicles 9:18,19; to the city of DavidNehemiah 3:15;Nehemiah 12:37.
steps (forming sun-dial, compare DiIs)2 Kings 20:9 (twice in verse);2 Kings 20:10 (twice in verse);2 Kings 20:11 (3 t. in verse) =Isaiah 38:8 (5 t. in verse)
stories of heavenAmos 9:6.
ascent,Ezra 7:9.
. song of ascents, to the three great pilgrim feasts, i.e. to be sung on way up to Jerusalem, titles ofPsalm 120-134 +Psalm 84:6 We and others —1 Chronicles 17:17 is corrupt, see Commentaries on the passage (and on ""2 Samuel 7:19).
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
things that come up, high degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story
Feminine ofma'aleh; elevation, i.e. The act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms) -- things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story.
see HEBREWma'aleh
Forms and Transliterations
בְּמַעֲל֥וֹת בְמַעֲל֨וֹת בְמַעֲלֹ֖ת בַּֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת בְּמַֽעֲלֹותָ֑יו במעלות במעלותיו במעלת הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת הַֽמַּֽעֲל֗וֹת הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת הַֽמַּעֲל֔וֹת הַֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת הַֽמַּעֲל֡וֹת הַֽמַּעֲלָ֖ה המעלה המעלות וּבְמַעֲל֥וֹת וּבַֽמַּעֲל֔וֹת וּמַעֲל֤וֹת וּמַעֲל֥וֹת וּמַעֲלֹתֵ֖הוּ ובמעלות ומעלות ומעלתהו לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת למעלות מַֽעֲל֔וֹת מַעֲל֑וֹת מַעֲל֔וֹת מַעֲל֖וֹת מַעֲל֣וֹת מַעֲלֵ֣ה מַעֲלֹותָ֔יו מַעֲלֽוֹת׃ מַעֲלוֹת֙ מעלה מעלות מעלות׃ מעלותיו bam·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ bamma‘ălōwṯ bammaaLot bə·ma·‘ă·lō·w·ṯāw bə·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ ḇə·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ ḇə·ma·‘ă·lōṯ ḇəma‘ălōṯ bəma‘ălōwṯ ḇəma‘ălōwṯ bəma‘ălōwṯāw bemaaLot bemaaloTav ham·ma·‘ă·lāh ham·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ hamma‘ălāh hamma‘ălōwṯ hammaaLah hammaaLot lam·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ lamma‘ălōwṯ lamMaaLot ma‘ălêh ma‘ălōwṯ ma‘ălōwṯāw ma·‘ă·lêh ma·‘ă·lō·w·ṯāw ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ maaLeh maaLot maaloTav ū·ḇam·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ ū·ḇə·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ ū·ma·‘ă·lō·ṯê·hū ū·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ ūḇamma‘ălōwṯ ūḇəma‘ălōwṯ ūma‘ălōṯêhū ūma‘ălōwṯ umaaLot umaaloTehu uvammaaLot uvemaaLot vemaaLot
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