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The word “proverb,” from which the Book of Proverbs derives its name, is a translation of the Hebrew māšāl (pronounced maw-shawl’). Put simply, māšāl or “Proverbs are simple, moral statements (or illustrations) that highlight and teach fundamental realities about life.” While the Book of Proverbs contains over five hundred of these proverbial sayings they are also peppered throughout other Old Testament books including Genesis, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. For example, 1 Samuel 10:12 says, “Then a man from there answered and said, ‘But who is their father?’ Therefore it became a proverb: ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’” And then a few chapters later we read, “As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand shall not be against you.” (1 Sam 24:23) Similarly, in Ezekiel 12:22 we read, “Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails’?” Ezekiel 16:44 declares, “Indeed everyone who quotes proverbs will use this proverb against you: ‘Like mother, like daughter!’” And Ezekiel 18:2 says, “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?” Some other examples include Genesis 10:9, 1 Kings 20:11, and Jeremiah 31:29.
Thus, there are several meanings of the Hebrew māšāl besides just “proverb.”
But the word māšāl has other meanings besides proverb. For example, it can mean “byword” (or “object of scorn”). We see this usage in passages such as Deuteronomy 28:37 which says, “And you shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all nations where the LORD will drive you.” Also in 1 Kings 9:7 we read, “then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight. Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples.” Other examples include 2 Chronicles 7:20, Jeremiah 24:9, and Ezekiel 14:8.
In addition to “byword,” māšāl can also refer to a prophetic oracle as seen in several verses of Numbers 23-24. For example, Numbers 23:7 says, “And he took up his oracle and said: “Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram, from the mountains of the east. ‘Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!’” And a few verses later (in verse 18) it says again, “Then he took up his oracle and said: “Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, son of Zippor!” (See also Numbers 24:3, 15, 20-21, 23).
This same word is also translated as “taunt” in Isaiah 14:4 in some versions of the Bible (e.g., ESV, NIV, NASB). For example, the ESV says, “you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: ‘How the oppressor has ceased, the insolent fury ceased!’”
Māšāl can also be rendered as “parable” as seen in Ezekiel 20:49 or “allegory” as in Ezekiel 17:2. The word can even carry the meaning of riddle such as in Proverbs 1:6 and Psalm 49:4. Thus, there are several meanings of the Hebrew māšāl besides just “proverb.”
Ryan Hembree is a daily co-host, speaker, and writer of Bible Discovery. He also hosts a YouTube channel that shows the unity of the Bible and how science and Scripture fit together. Ryan also has an honorary Masters of Ministry in Creation Science from Phoenix University of Theology.
[1] John MacArthur, Introduction to Proverbs, NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition.
[2] Sid S. Buzzell, Proverbs, Introduction, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, P.903, John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck general editors.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
