Bible Word Study
מִכְלָל
miklâl · perfection (of beauty)
מִכְלָל
perfection (of beauty)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִכְלָל (miklâl) denotes 'perfection' or 'completeness,' specifically in the context of beauty. It appears only in Psalm 50:2, where it describes Zion as 'the perfection of beauty.' The word conveys the idea of something being consummately beautiful, flawless, and splendid. It implies a state of absolute and ideal aesthetic excellence, often associated with divine presence and holiness.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 50:2. It is employed in a poetic, worship context to exalt Mount Zion as the dwelling place of God, described as 'out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.' The usage highlights Zion's supreme and glorious beauty as the site of God's manifestation.
Etymology
Derived from the root כָּלַל (kālal, H3634), meaning 'to complete, perfect, or make whole.' This root conveys the idea of something being brought to a state of completeness or perfection. מִכְלָל is a noun form that specifically denotes the state or quality of being perfect, often in a aesthetic or moral sense.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects divine beauty with God's holy dwelling. In Psalm 50:2, Zion's 'perfection of beauty' is not merely physical but reflects God's glorious presence and holiness. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Psalms by emphasizing that true beauty and perfection are found where God reveals Himself, pointing to the ultimate beauty of God's kingdom and the New Jerusalem. In ancient Israelite culture, beauty was often associated with wholeness, symmetry, and divine blessing. Zion, as the location of the temple, was seen as the center of the world and the epitome of divine order and splendor. The term's singular use underscores Zion's unique, incomparable status in Israel's religious imagination. תָּם (tām, H8535) — denotes moral integrity or blamelessness, rather than aesthetic perfection. כָּלִיל (kālîl, H3632) — means 'whole, entire,' often used for burnt offerings, emphasizing completeness. תִּפְאֶרֶת (tip̄'eret, H8597) — refers to 'glory, beauty, splendor,' a broader term for magnificence.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]