נָעַל
properly, to fasten up, i.e. with abar or cord; hence, to sandal, i.e. furnish with slippers
Definition
The Hebrew verb נָעַל (nâʻal) primarily means 'to fasten' or 'to lock,' often referring to securing something with a bar or bolt. In a literal sense, it describes the act of locking a door, as seen when Ehud locks the doors of the upper room in Judges 3:23-24. In a more specialized, denominative sense from the noun for 'sandal' (נַעַל, H5275), it means 'to put on sandals' or 'to shoe,' as when Tamar is told to put on her sandals in 2 Samuel 13:18. The word can also carry a metaphorical sense of being enclosed or shut up, such as a garden that is locked in Song of Solomon 4:12.
Biblical Usage
נָעַל is used 7 times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, poetic, and prophetic books. Its usage splits between the literal action of locking doors (Judges 3:23-24) and the act of putting on footwear (2 Samuel 13:17-18; 2 Chronicles 28:15). In Song of Solomon 4:12, it is used metaphorically for a locked garden, and in Ezekiel 16:10, it appears in a list of items given in adornment. There is no clear pattern by book, but the context clearly determines whether the meaning is 'to lock' or 'to shoe.'
Etymology
נָעַל is a primitive root meaning 'to fasten.' It is also used as a denominative verb derived from the noun נַעַל (naʻal, H5275), meaning 'sandal' or 'shoe.' This dual origin explains its two primary senses: the basic action of securing something and the specific action of attaching sandals to the feet. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with similar meanings related to fastening and footwear.
Semantic Range
While נָעַל itself is not a theologically heavy term, its uses contribute to significant biblical narratives and imagery. The act of locking a door in Judges 3 is part of a story of deliverance. The sandaling in 2 Samuel 13 occurs in a tragic story of violation and family strife. In Song of Solomon 4:12, the metaphor of a locked garden symbolizes exclusivity and purity in love, which has been interpreted allegorically as depicting God's relationship with His people. Understanding the concrete action enriches the reading of these passages.
In the ancient Near East, sandals were common footwear, and the act of putting them on could signify preparation for travel or a change in status. Locking doors with a bar or bolt was a primary means of security for rooms and gates. The metaphorical use of 'locking' a garden in Song of Solomon reflects the value placed on walled gardens as private, protected spaces of cultivation and beauty, differing from modern, open gardens.
סָגַר (sāgar, H5462) — a more general term for 'to shut' or 'close,' often used for doors or gates, without the specific connotation of fastening with a bolt. נַעַל (naʻal, H5275) — the noun for 'sandal' or 'shoe,' from which the verb's secondary meaning is derived.
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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