מַרְגְלָה
(plural for collective) a footpiece, i.e. (adverbially) at the foot, or (direct.) the foot itself
Definition
The noun מַרְגְלָה (margᵉlâh) is a plural form used collectively to refer to the 'footpiece' or 'place at the feet.' In its primary sense, it denotes the location or area at the foot of something, often used adverbially to mean 'at the foot' (Ruth 3:4, 3:7, 3:14). In the book of Daniel, it appears in a visionary description, likely referring to the 'feet' themselves, describing their appearance as like burnished bronze (Daniel 10:6). The word consistently relates to the lower extremity or the space immediately surrounding it.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only five times in the Old Testament. Its usage is split between two contexts. In the narrative of Ruth, it is used four times (Ruth 3:4, 3:7, 3:8, 3:14) to describe the place 'at the foot' of the threshing floor where Boaz slept, a key location in the story's pivotal scene. In Daniel 10:6, it is used in a singular, descriptive context as part of a vision, referring directly to the 'feet' of a heavenly being. The word is never used for simple, everyday walking.
Etymology
The word is a denominative noun derived from the common Hebrew root רֶגֶל (regel, H7272), meaning 'foot.' The formation (with the מ prefix and ה suffix) creates a noun indicating a place or object associated with the foot, hence 'footpiece' or 'place at the feet.' It is a linguistic counterpart to מְרַאֲשָׁה (mᵉra'ăšâ, H4763), meaning 'place at the head.'
Semantic Range
While not a central theological term, מַרְגְלָה gains significance through its narrative context in Ruth. Ruth's act of lying down 'at the foot' (מַרְגְלָה) of Boaz (Ruth 3:7-8) is a gesture of humility, submission, and a claim to kinship-redemption. It physically enacts the legal and covenantal themes of the book. In Daniel 10:6, its use in describing the glorious feet of a divine messenger highlights the awe-inspiring and otherworldly nature of the vision.
In Ruth, understanding 'מַרְגְלָה' as the specific place at the foot of the sleeping mat is crucial. In ancient Near Eastern culture, this was a vulnerable and subordinate position. Ruth's action there was a culturally understood, non-verbal petition for Boaz to act as a kinsman-redeemer (go'el), making it a bold yet respectful appeal within the bounds of propriety. It was not a random spot but a symbolically charged location.
רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — The common, singular noun for 'foot,' used for literal feet, journeys, or metaphorically. מַרְגְלָה specifies the place at the feet. כַּף (kap̄, H3709) — The 'palm' of the hand or 'sole' of the foot, focusing on the flat surface. פַּעַם (paʿam, H6471) — A 'step' or 'foot' in the sense of a footstep or occurrence.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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