Lexical Summary
mul or mol or mol or mul: In front of, opposite, against, before
Original Word:מוּל
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:muwl
Pronunciation:mool or mohl
Phonetic Spelling:(mool)
KJV: (over) against, before, (fore-)front, from, (God-)ward, toward, with
NASB:opposite, front, before, frontier, left, over against
Word Origin:[fromH4135 (מוּל - circumcised)]
1. (properly) abrupt, i.e. a precipice
2. (by implication) the front
3. (used only adverbially, with prepositional prefix) opposite
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
over against, before, forefront, from, Godward, toward, with
Or mowl (Deuteronomy 1:1) {mole}; or mowtl (Nehemiah 12:38) {mole}; or mul (Numbers 22:5) {mool}; frommuwl; properly, abrupt, i.e. A precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite -- (over) against, before, (fore-)front, from, (God-)ward, toward, with.
see HEBREWmuwl
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionfront, in front of
NASB Translationbefore (1), front (7), frontier (1), left (1), opposite (8), opposite* (2), over against (1), toward* (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Nehemiah 12:38 read , see .
I. , (Deuteronomy 1:1), (Nehemiah 12:38)
and
(derivatives dubious; according to Ol§ 223 c Sta§ 378 a, for fromto be in front: see further Köii. 300 f. HptBAS i. 172): —
only1 Kings 7:5 (si vera 1.: see StaZAW 1883, 151) and thefront of (one) window was towards (the other) window, andNehemiah 12:38 =in the opposite direction (but read probably , compareNehemiah 12:31). as
,Deuteronomy 1:1;Deuteronomy 2:19in front of the Ammonites,Deuteronomy 3:29 (=Deuteronomy 4:46;Deuteronomy 34:6) ,Deuteronomy 11:30;Joshua 18:18;Joshua 19:461 Samuel 14:5 (twice in verse); figurativeExodus 18:19in front of God, i.e. representing God to them. With prefixes: —
towards the front of,1 Samuel 17:30to the front of another;on the front of,Exodus 34:3 (pregnantly) , JoelExodus 8:33 (twice in verse);Exodus 9:1;Exodus 22:11 (see WAWJPhoenician xiii. 117 ff.); specificallytowards oron the forefront of,Exodus 26:9;Exodus 28:25 (""Exodus 39:18),Exodus 39:37;Leviticus 8:9;Numbers 8:2,3;2 Samuel 11:15 set ye Uriah .
: — (a)from the front of,Micah 2:8 (text dubious: read probably ). (b) of position,off (see
)the front of,Leviticus 5:8off the front of its neck, i.e. close in front of it,Numbers 22:5close in front of me,2 Samuel 5:23 (1 Chronicles 14:14) come to themoff the front of the mulberry-trees,1 Kings 7:39 (2 Chronicles 4:10) ;on the forefront of,Exodus 28:27 (""Exodus 39:20).
Topical Lexicon
Range of Meaning and Emphasisמֻל (mul) signals spatial orientation: “in front of,” “opposite,” “facing,” or “before.” Whenever it is employed, the writer deliberately fixes the reader’s gaze on a specific object, person, or place. The preposition is more than a geographical marker; it underscores intentional positioning—whether of sacred furniture, a worshipper, an army, or an entire nation.
Distribution in Scripture
The term appears thirty-six times, concentrated in four major settings:
1. Instructions for the tabernacle and sacrificial ritual (Exodus and Leviticus).
2. Geographic notations that frame Israel’s journeys on the threshold of the promised land (Numbers and Deuteronomy).
3. Military or covenantal scenes in Joshua.
4. A few later historical notices (1 Chronicles) that recall earlier geography.
Tabernacle Orientation: Ordered Worship Facing God
In the tabernacle blueprints mul frames holy space. “Place the table outside the veil, and the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle” (Exodus 26:35). The candlestick must be deliberately set “opposite” the table to cast its sevenfold light upon the bread of the Presence—symbolizing illumination upon fellowship with God. Likewise, the golden altar is to stand “in front of the veil that is before the ark of the testimony” (Exodus 30:6), highlighting prayer and atonement as the worshipper’s direct approach to the divine throne.
In Leviticus the word governs sacrifice. The blood of the offering is dashed “against the side of the altar that is at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 1:11; 3:2, 8, 13). Ritual actions occur mul-יְהוָה—“facing the LORD.” Sin is confronted openly; atonement is made in plain view. The orientation teaches reverence, transparency, and accountability.
Boundary Markers of Promise
Mul also fixes Israel’s geographical bearings while the nation stands poised to enter Canaan:
• “We camped in the valley opposite Beth Peor” (Deuteronomy 3:29).
• Moses views the inheritance “across from Jericho” (Deuteronomy 32:49; 34:1).
• “These are the words that Moses spoke … opposite Suph” (Deuteronomy 1:1).
By repeatedly noting locations “opposite” the land, the text dramatizes expectancy. The covenant people are literally facing promise yet not possessing it; obedience will bridge the gap.
Strategic Posture in Conquest
Joshua employs mul to depict tactical alignment: “All the troops … camped on the north side of Ai, with a valley between them and the city” (Joshua 8:11). Positioning “opposite” the target allows observation, assessment, and decisive action. Later, when the Trans-Jordan tribes build an altar, Israel reacts to a structure “on the frontier of Canaan … opposite the land of Israel” (Joshua 22:11), fearing a rival cult. Here mul signals potential breach and calls the nation to covenant vigilance.
Personal and Corporate Encounters
The word appears in familial and tribal settings as well. The sons of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh pledge that their altar stands merely “as a witness between us and you” (Joshua 22:27)—an object placed mul both parties to remind them of shared allegiance to the LORD.
Theological Significance
1. Orientation toward God: Mul insists that worship and life be conducted “before” the Lord, never behind His back.
2. Transparency: Sacrifices and priestly duties unfold in plain sight, reinforcing the principle that nothing is hidden from God (compareHebrews 4:13).
3. Anticipation: Standing “opposite” the promised inheritance mirrors the believer’s present state—seeing but not yet fully entering (1 Corinthians 13:12).
4. Accountability in community: Shared objects “opposite” both parties attest covenant fidelity.
Christological Foreshadowing
Every tabernacle object arranged mul teaches that true worship must face God through a mediator. The altar of incense “before” the mercy seat (Exodus 30:6) anticipates Christ’s intercession placed directly in the presence of the Father (Hebrews 7:25). The lamb slain “in front of” the Tent of Meeting prefigures the Lamb of God lifted up publicly at Calvary (John 19:20;Colossians 2:14).
Ministry Applications
• Worship leaders should order gatherings so that Scripture, prayer, and sacrament clearly direct hearts “toward the Lord,” not toward human performers.
• Pastors shepherding people on the threshold of decisions can draw from Deuteronomy’s use of mul: help them face God’s promises and commands squarely, with no evasive sidelong glance.
• In conflict resolution, the altar “opposite” both parties (Joshua 22) models establishing visible reminders of agreed truth to prevent future misunderstanding.
• Discipleship invites believers to live coram Deo—consciously in front of God—mirroring the sacrificial rituals set mul-JHWH.
Summary
Strong’s Hebrew 4136, מֻל, is the Bible’s strategic pointer. Whether in worship, warfare, or daily walk, it fixes God’s people “facing” the object of faith, duty, or promise. Its spatial precision serves a spiritual purpose: to keep hearts, altars, and armies turned toward the LORD who is always present, watching, and ready to fulfill His word.
Forms and Transliterations
וּמ֧וּל ומול לְמ֖וֹאל למואל מ֖וּל מ֚וּל מ֣וּל מ֥וּל מ֨וֹל מִמֻּלִֽי׃ מִמּ֣וּל מִמּ֥וּל מוּל֙ מוּל־ מול מול־ ממול ממלי׃ lə·mō·wl leMol ləmōwl mim·mu·lî mim·mūl mimmūl mimmulî miMul mimuLi mō·wl Mol mōwl mul mūl mūl- ū·mūl uMul ūmūl
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