Lexical Summary
maal: Above, upward, over, higher
Original Word:מַעַל
Part of Speech:substantive; adverb; preposition
Transliteration:ma`al
Pronunciation:mah-ahl
Phonetic Spelling:(mah'al)
KJV: above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on (X very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very
NASB:upward, top, above, heaven, higher, over, very
Word Origin:[fromH5927 (עָלָה - went)]
1. (properly) the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
above, exceedingly, forward, on very high, over, upon very
Fromalah; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc. -- above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on (X very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.
see HEBREWalah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
alahDefinitionabove, upwards
NASB Translationabove (7), above* (32), covered* (1), exceedingly (1), forward (2), greater (1), greatly (1), heaven (4), high above (1), high* (1), higher (4), highly (2), hovered* (2), older (2), onward (2), over (4), over* (1), severe (1), successive story (1), top (9), upside down (1), upward (53), upward by stages (1), upwards (2), very (3).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
140 , , only in
and
phrases, (Phoenician , see below p. 641: abbreviated from ; compare in from Köii. 116): —
=above (see )
asadverbAmos 2:9 his fruitabove (opposed to ),Job 18:16;1 Kings 7:3,20,29; often in the phraseDeuteronomy 4:39;Deuteronomy 5:8 ( =Exodus 20:4),Joshua 2:11;1 Kings 8:23;Isaiah 45:8;Jeremiah 4:28; comparePsalm 78:23;Proverbs 8:28,Job 3:4;Job 31:2,Job 31:28.
, aspreposition (
),on the top of, above,Genesis 22:9above the wood,Exodus 28:27 =Exodus 39:20,Leviticus 11:21 ,Isaiah 6:2 ,Isaiah 14:13;Jeremiah 43:10;Ezekiel 1:26;Daniel 12:6,7; =on higher ground than,Jeremiah 35:4; figurativeJeremiah 52:32 (""2 Kings 25:28 ).
With locative ,upwards (opposed to p. 641) :
figurativeDeuteronomy 28:43upwards, upwards, i.e.higher and higher (opposed to ).
(a) of direction inspace,Judges 1:36 from the rockand upwards (compare Bu),1 Kings 7:31 (corrupt: see Sta VB Benz),1 Samuel 9:2 =1 Samuel 10:23 from his shoulderand upwards: so ,Ezekiel 1:27Ezekiel 8:2;Ezekiel 43:5. (b) of direction intime, or age: — (a)Exodus 30:14;Numbers 1:3 19t. P,Numbers 3:15,22 6t. P, simil.Numbers 4:3;Numbers 8:24 7t. P; elsewhere only1 Chronicles 23:3,24;Ezra 3:8, and with1 Chronicles 23:17; 2Chronicles 31:16,17; 2Chronicles 25:5; and2 Kings 3:21 . () from that dayand onwards,1 Samuel 16:13;1 Samuel 30:25. () from this dayand upwards (i.e.and back),Haggai 2:15,18and onwards (as ) is more probably: see Now WeKl. Proph. ed. 8 {1898} Marti Dr.
upwards, more common than alone (
): (a)Exodus 25:20 (=Exodus 37:9)Judges 7:13 overthrew itupwards, i.e. turned it downside up,Isaiah 7:11 or make it (the request) highupwards,Isaiah 8:21 ,Isaiah 37:31 (2 Kings 19:30) (compareAmos 2:9, ),Ezekiel 41:7 a (v:abis =higher and higher),Psalm 74:5; figurativeDeuteronomy 28:13 (compare
),Proverbs 15:24 (opposed to ), compareEcclesiastes 3:21; followed by a noun,Ezra 9:6over the head, followed by (compareAbothEzra 2:1 ) =above, 2 Chronicles 34:4: see also
a, b a. (b) metaphor =exceedingly, only in Chronicles:1 Chronicles 14:2;1 Chronicles 22:5 the house must be built to J. so as to shew greatnessexceedingly,1 Chronicles 23:17 ,1 Chronicles 29:3 (followed by ; =over and above ...),1 Chronicles 29:25; 2Chronicles 1:1 , 2 Chronicles 20:19; , 2 Chronicles 16:12; 17:12; 26:8.
(see
), adverb,above (the more usualprose synonym of ):Genesis 6:16Genesis 7:20 15cubits (i.e. above the mountain-tops),Exodus 25:21 (Exodus 40:20) upon the arkabove,Exodus 26:14 (Exodus 36:19; 40:19;Numbers 4:25) a covering of skins on the tentabove, Num 39:31;Numbers 4:6;1 Kings 7:11,25;1 Kings 8:7 (2 Chronicles 4:4; 5:8),Jeremiah 31:37 (compare ),Ezekiel 1:11 separateabove,Ezekiel 1:22;Ezekiel 1:26;Ezekiel 10:19;Ezekiel 11:22;Ezekiel 37:8;from above,Joshua 3:13,16 .
Topical Lexicon
OverviewThe Hebrew term מַעַל (Strong’s 4605) conveys the notions of “above,” “upper,” “upward,” “higher,” “over,” or “more than.” Spanning roughly one-hundred forty occurrences from Genesis through Ezekiel, it functions as adverb, preposition, and substantive, weaving together literal elevation, covenant privilege, and theological transcendence.
Cosmic and Geographical Height
Genesis opens with a vast vertical divide: “God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above it” (Genesis 1:7). מַעַל later describes the ark’s roof finished “a cubit from above” (Genesis 6:16) and Joseph’s blessing drawn from “the heavens above” (Genesis 49:25). Whenever Scripture speaks of mountains, clouds, or heavens in relation to earth, מַעַל often supplies the vocabulary of height.
Sanctuary Architecture
Moses’ tabernacle blueprint abounds with the term. The cherubim extend their wings “upward” over the mercy seat (Exodus 25:20); coverings are placed “on top” of sacred furniture (Numbers 4:6, 8, 11). The language continues in Temple narratives: Solomon acknowledges the God who reigns “in heaven above” (1 Kings 8:23). Thus the earthly sanctuary directs worshipers’ gaze to a reality beyond sight.
Covenant Exaltation
Obedience brings elevation: “The LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1; cf. 26:19). Solomon’s early reign illustrates the promise: “The LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him” (2 Chronicles 1:1). Curses reverse the direction as Israel’s enemies rise “above” (Deuteronomy 28:43), showing that the One who lifts up can also bring low.
Moral and Spiritual Superiority
Height becomes an ethical metaphor. “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:11). God’s ways are necessarily “higher” than human schemes (implicit inIsaiah 55:9). The believer is summoned to align with the higher standard, anticipating the New Testament imperative to set affections “on things above.”
Comparative and Superlative Force
מַעַל amplifies comparisons: Saul stood “from his shoulders and upward… taller than any of the people” (1 Samuel 9:2). David honors the Lord “above all” blessings (1 Chronicles 29:11). The term can mark quantity, rank, or intensity whenever Scripture contrasts one thing as surpassing another.
Prophetic Vision and Apocalyptic Imagery
Ezekiel repeats the word in escalating tiers: creatures, expanse, and “above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne” (Ezekiel 1:26). Daniel hears a celestial voice “from above the waters” (Daniel 12:7). Each occurrence propels attention upward until it settles on divine glory.
Wisdom Perspective
Job is urged, “Look to the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds high above you” (Job 35:5). Proverbs echoes creation, speaking of clouds “established above” (Proverbs 8:28). Height functions as a pedagogical tool—an ever-present sermon on God’s stability and man’s dependence.
Distinction from 4604
Although spelled identically, Strong’s 4604 denotes “trespass.” Context keeps the two ideas separate: faithlessness drags down; מַעַל (4605) lifts up, dividing true worship from defection.
Ministry Applications
• Worship: Highlight the God who dwells “in heaven above,” fostering reverence (1 Kings 8:23).
• Preaching:Deuteronomy 28:1 illustrates that exaltation follows obedience, not self-promotion.
• Pastoral care:Psalm 103:11 reassures penitents that mercy towers over sin.
• Teaching: Tabernacle imagery shows how holiness is symbolized by placement “above” the common.
Key References
Genesis 1:7;Genesis 49:25;Exodus 25:20;Numbers 4:6;Deuteronomy 28:1;1 Samuel 9:2;1 Kings 8:23;Psalm 103:11;Ezekiel 1:26;Daniel 12:7.
Conclusion
מַעַל supplies Scripture with its vocabulary of elevation—physical, covenantal, and spiritual. Whether lifting waters heavenward, Israel above the nations, or eyes toward a throne “above the expanse,” it continually invites God’s people to recognize His supremacy and to seek the upward calling found in faithful obedience.
Forms and Transliterations
וָמַ֔עְלָה וָמַ֖עְלָה וָמַ֗עְלָה וָמַ֙עְלָה֙ וָמָ֑עְלָה וָמָֽעְלָה׃ וּ֝מִמַּ֗עַל וּלְמַ֔עְלָה וּלְמָ֑עְלָה וּלְמָֽעְלָה׃ וּמִלְמַ֗עְלָה וּמִמַּ֗עַל ולמעלה ולמעלה׃ ומלמעלה וממעל ומעלה ומעלה׃ לְמַ֔עְלָה לְמַ֖עְלָה לְמַ֗עְלָה לְמַ֙עְלָה֙ לְמַ֜עְלָה לְמַ֣עְלָה לְמַ֥עְלָה לְמַ֨עְלָה לְמָ֑עְלָה לְמָֽעְלָה׃ למעלה למעלה׃ מִלְמַ֔עְלָה מִלְמַ֜עְלָה מִלְמָ֑עְלָה מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃ מִמַּ֔֡עַל מִמַּ֔עַל מִמַּ֕עַל מִמַּ֖עַל מִמַּ֗עַל מִמַּ֙עַל֙ מִמַּ֛עַל מִמַּ֡֔עַל מִמַּ֣עַל מִמַּ֥עַל מִמַּעַל֮ מִמָּ֑עַל מִמָּֽעַל׃ מַ֣עְלָה מָּ֑עְלָה מלמעלה מלמעלה׃ ממעל ממעל׃ מעלה lə·ma‘·lāh lə·mā·‘ə·lāh ləmā‘əlāh ləma‘lāh leMaelah leMalah ma‘·lāh mā‘əlāh ma‘lāh mā·‘ə·lāh Maelah Malah mil·ma‘·lāh mil·mā·‘ə·lāh milmā‘əlāh milma‘lāh milMaelah milMalah mim·ma·‘al mim·mā·‘al miMaal mimma‘al mimmā‘al ū·lə·ma‘·lāh ū·lə·mā·‘ə·lāh ū·mil·ma‘·lāh ū·mim·ma·‘al ūləmā‘əlāh ūləma‘lāh uleMaelah uleMalah ūmilma‘lāh umilMalah umiMaal ūmimma‘al vaMaelah vaMalah wā·ma‘·lāh wā·mā·‘ə·lāh wāmā‘əlāh wāma‘lāh
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