מִקְלַעַת
a sculpture (probably in bas-relief)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִקְלַעַת (miqlaʻath) refers to a carved or engraved work, specifically a type of sculpture, most likely in bas-relief (where the design projects slightly from a flat background). In its four biblical occurrences, it describes the intricate artistic decorations within Solomon's Temple. These carvings featured complex designs of gourds, open flowers, cherubim, and palm trees (1 Kings 6:18, 29). The term also applies to the detailed engravings on the stands for the bronze basins in the temple courtyard (1 Kings 7:31).
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the descriptions of Solomon's building projects in 1 Kings. It appears four times, always in the context of the temple's ornate interior decorations and the furnishings of its courtyard. The usage consistently refers to skilled, artistic stone or metal carvings that were part of the sacred architecture. For example, the walls of the inner sanctuary and the main hall were covered with these מִקְלַעַת carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and flowers (1 Kings 6:29, 32).
Etymology
Derived from the root verb קָלַע (qālaʻ, H7049), which means 'to sling' or 'to hurl,' but in a specialized sense can mean 'to carve' or 'to engrave.' This suggests the action of skillfully cutting or incising a design into a surface. The noun form מִקְלַעַת thus denotes the product of that skilled carving work.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the beauty, craftsmanship, and lavish detail that went into the worship space dedicated to God. The intricate carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and flowers (1 Kings 6:29) were not mere decoration; they created a symbolic, garden-like environment that evoked themes of God's creation, paradise, and heavenly presence. Understanding this term enriches our reading by showing that the temple's physical beauty was intended to reflect the glory and creativity of God Himself.
In the ancient Near East, elaborate stone and metal carvings were a mark of royal wealth, power, and divine favor. The specific use of bas-relief was a common artistic technique in monumental architecture. For Solomon's Temple, employing such skilled craftsmanship demonstrated Israel's devotion to creating a magnificent, permanent dwelling place for Yahweh, rivaling the grandeur of other regional temples and palaces. The motifs used (cherubim, palms, flowers) held specific symbolic meaning within Israelite and broader ancient Near Eastern culture.
פִּתּוּחַ (pittûach, H6603) — a general term for engraving or carving, often on seals or gems. חָרַשׁ (ḥārash, H2796) — a verb meaning to engrave or devise, focusing on the craftsman's skill. קֶלַע (qelaʻ, H7050) — a related noun from the same root, meaning a sling or perhaps a carving.
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.
Full methodology & sources →