מִשְׁעוֹל
a hollow, i.e. a narrow passage
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִשְׁעוֹל (mishʻôwl) refers to a narrow, confined passage or a hollowed-out path. It describes a tight, restrictive way, often through difficult terrain like a vineyard wall or a mountain pass. In its single biblical occurrence in Numbers 22:24, it specifically denotes a narrow path between two vineyard walls, a place where movement is severely constrained. This imagery of a constricted route is central to its meaning, emphasizing a passage that is not open or broad.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the narrative of Balaam's donkey in Numbers 22:24. The context is geographical and narrative: the angel of the Lord stands in a 'narrow path' (מִשְׁעוֹל) between the walls of a vineyard, forcing Balaam's donkey to press against a wall to avoid it. This singular usage paints a vivid picture of a tight, restrictive passage that shapes the action of the story.
Etymology
מִשְׁעוֹל is derived from the root שׁעל (sh-ʻ-l), which relates to being hollow or deep. It shares a connection with the noun שֹׁעַל (shoʻal, H8168), meaning 'hollow hand' or 'hollow of a sling.' Thus, the core idea moves from a hollowed-out space to a narrow, sunken, or confined passageway, like a path worn into the landscape.
Semantic Range
While used only once, this word contributes to the rich symbolism of paths and ways in Scripture. The narrow מִשְׁעוֹל in Numbers 22:24 becomes the stage for divine intervention, where God confines the rebellious prophet Balaam to correct him. It serves as a physical metaphor for restriction and divine control, foreshadowing themes of constrained choices and God's sovereign guidance, much like the 'narrow gate' of Matthew 7:14. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting how the setting itself becomes an active element in the story of God's providence.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, paths between vineyard walls were common features of agricultural landscapes. These walls were built of stone to protect the vines, and the paths between them were necessarily narrow, often just wide enough for a single person or animal. This setting would be immediately familiar to the original audience, making the donkey's desperate action to squeeze against the wall a relatable and vivid detail, emphasizing the utter lack of room to maneuver.
אֹרַח (ʼorach, H734) — a general term for a way, road, or journey, often used metaphorically. נְתִיבָה (nᵉthiybah, H5410) — a trodden path, track, or pathway, sometimes in a moral sense. מַסְלוּל (macluwl, H4546) — a highway or raised way, implying a constructed and prominent road.
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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