Original Word: מָשַׁל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: mashal
Pronunciation: mah-SHAL
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-shal')
KJV: (have, make to have) dominion, governor, X indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power
NASB: rule, ruler, rules, rulers, ruled, ruling, ruler's
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to rule

to have dominion, reign, bear, cause to, have ruling have power

A primitive root; to rule -- (have, make to have) dominion, governor, X indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to rule, have dominion, reign
NASB Translation
dominion (1), gain control (1), govern (1), had charge (1), have authority (1), master (1), obtain dominion (1), really going to rule (1), rule (27), ruled (5), ruler (18), ruler's (2), rulers (6), rules (9), ruling (3), wielded (1).

III. מָשַׁל verb rule, have dominion, reign (Late Hebrew Participle id.; Phoenician משל); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular וּמָשַׁל consecutive Zechariah 6:13 2t., מָשָׁ֑ל Daniel 11:4, וּמָשָׁ֑ל consecutive Daniel 11:5; 3feminine singular מָשָׁ֑לָה Psalm 103:19; 2masculine singular מָשַׁלְתָּ Isaiah 63:19, וּמָשַׁלְתָּ֫ Deuteronomy 15:16; 3plural מָֽשְׁלוּ Isaiah 3:5; Lamentations 5:8; Imperfect3masculine singular יִמְשֹׁל Exodus 21:8 3t., יִמְשׁוֺל Proverbs 22:7; יִמְשָׁלֿ Genesis 3:16, etc.; Imperative מְשָׁלֿ Judges 8:22; Infinitive absolute מָשׁוֹל Genesis 37:8; construct מְשֹׁל Judges 9:2 +, לִמְשָׁלֿ Joel 2:17, etc.; Participle Genesis 45:26 +, etc.; —

1 human subject,rule, have dominion over (בְּ) Genesis 3:16; Genesis 4:7; Genesis 24:2 (all J), Genesis 45:8,26 (E), ׳מָשׁוֺל תִּמְשֹׁל ב Genesis 37:8 (E); Deuteronomy 15:6 (twice in verse); Joshua 12:5 (D); Judges 8:22,23 (twice in verse); Judges 9:2 (twice in verse); Judges 14:4; Judges 15:11; 2 Samuel 23:3 (Participle absolute = when one ruleth, compare Dr), 1 Kings 5:1; 2Chronicles 7:18; 9:26; 23:20; Isaiah 3:4,12; Isaiah 19:4; Micah 5:2; Habakkuk 1:14; Jeremiah 22:30; Lamentations 5:8; Joel 2:17; Proverbs 16:32 (משֵׁל בְּרוּחוֺ), Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 22:7; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 105:21; Psalm 106:41; Daniel 11:43; Ecclesiastes 9:17; rarely other prepositions: ל (c. infinitive) Exodus 21:8 (E); עַלֿ Proverbs 28:15; Nehemiah 9:37, אֶלֿ Jeremiah 33:26; with suffix Isaiah 52:5; Jeremiah 30:21; with accusative of congnate meaning with verb מִמְשָׁל רָ֑ב ׳מ Daniel 11:3,4; מָשַׁל מִן ֗֗֗ וְעַד Joshua 12:2 (D); absolute 2 Samuel 23:3 (compare Dr), Ezekiel 19:14; Zechariah 6:13 (עַל location), Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 29:2; Daniel 11:5; especially Participle as substantive = ruler, משֵׁלאֶֿרֶץ Isaiah 16:1, משֵׁל עַמִּים Psalm 105:20; absolute Isaiah 14:5; Isaiah 49:7; Jeremiah 51:46 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 19:11; Proverbs 6:7; Proverbs 23:1; Proverbs 29:12,26; Ecclesiastes 10:4; משְׁלֵי הָעָם הַזֶה Isaiah 28:14.

2 of heavenly bodies, with בְּ Genesis 1:18.

3 of God, with בְּ Judges 8:23; Isaiah 63:19; Psalm 22:29; Psalm 59:14; Psalm 89:10; Psalm 103:19; 1 Chronicles 29:12; 2Chronicles 20:6; absolute Psalm 66:7; לוֺ ׳זּזְרֹעוֺ מ Isaiah 40:10 his arm ruling for him.

Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular suffix consecutive וְהִמְשִׁילָם Daniel 11:39; Imperfect2masculine singular suffix תַּמְשִׁילֵהוּ Psalm 8:7; Infinitive absolute הַמְשֵׁל Job 25:2; — cause to rule,, followed by accusative of person + בְּ Psalm 8:7 (subject ׳י), Daniel 11:39; exercise dominion, only infinitive absolute as noun abstract the exercise of dominion Job 25:2 (attribute of God).

Root Idea: Authority Exercised through Rule or Dominion

מָשַׁל describes the act of ruling, governing, or exercising dominion. Its occurrences portray a spectrum that moves from God’s absolute sovereignty to the delegated, often fragile, authority of human agents, and even to the believer’s responsibility to rule his own spirit.

Semantic Range and Thematic Clusters

1. Cosmic governance (light-bearers over day and night, Genesis 1:18).
2. Domestic hierarchy (husband over wife, Genesis 3:16).
3. Moral mastery (sin to be ruled, Genesis 4:7).
4. Administrative or political rule (Joseph over Egypt, Genesis 45:8; Solomon over Israel, 1 Kings 4:21).
5. International dominance or subjugation (foreign kings over nations, Isaiah 19:4).
6. Divine kingship (Psalm 22:28; Psalm 103:19).
7. Eschatological or Messianic reign (Psalm 110:2; Micah 5:2).
8. Personal self-government (Proverbs 16:32).

Major Patterns of Usage

• Creation: The verb first appears with celestial bodies “to govern the day and the night” (Genesis 1:18). Dominion is thus embedded in the created order.

• Fall and Curse: After sin enters, the word frames disrupted relationships—“he will rule over you” (Genesis 3:16)—revealing how authority can become oppressive.

• Moral Exhortation: Cain is told, “sin is crouching at your door… you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). Dominion is now a battle inside the heart.

• Patriarchal Stewardship: Abraham’s chief servant “was in charge of all that he had” (Genesis 24:2). Delegated authority serves covenant purposes.

• National Leadership: Joseph is “ruler over all Egypt” (Genesis 45:8), a picture of providence turning evil into redemptive administration.

• Theocratic Kingship: David affirms that “He who rules the people justly… is like the light of morning” (2 Samuel 23:3–4). Legitimate government is measured by righteousness and the fear of God.

• Poetic Theology: Psalms repeatedly proclaim God’s rule: “For dominion belongs to the LORD, and He rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:28). His kingship is the ground of hope for Israel and the world.

• Wisdom Literature: Proverbs contrasts good and bad rulership—“The rich rule over the poor” (Proverbs 22:7) versus “He who rules his spirit is better than one who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

• Prophetic Expectation: Micah 5:2 foretells a ruler from Bethlehem whose “origins are from of old,” projecting mashal into Messianic fulfillment.

• Post-exilic Perspective: Zechariah envisions priest-king unity—“He will bear royal honor and sit and rule on his throne” (Zechariah 6:13)—anticipating the perfect governance of Christ.

Key Old Testament Passages

Genesis 1:18 – celestial order.

Genesis 4:7 – moral mastery.

Genesis 45:8 – providential rulership.

2 Samuel 23:3–4 – paradigm of just government.

Psalm 8:6 – humanity crowned to “rule over the works” of God’s hands.

Psalm 66:7 – God “rules forever by His power.”

Psalm 110:2 – “Rule in the midst of your enemies” (Messianic).

Proverbs 17:2; 22:7; 25:28 – social and personal applications.

Isaiah 19:4 – judgment through harsh rulers.

Micah 5:2 – the coming ruler from Bethlehem.

Historical Trajectory

1. Patriarchal Period: Decentralized clan authority underscores that true dominion flows from covenant relationship, not standing armies.
2. United Monarchy: The verb dominates narratives about Saul, David, and Solomon, illustrating both the blessing of righteous rule and the peril of tyranny.
3. Divided Kingdom and Exile: Prophets employ מָשַׁל to condemn corrupt rule (Isaiah 3:12) and predict foreign domination (Habakkuk 1:14).
4. Post-exile: Longing for righteous governance intensifies. Mashal becomes a lens through which Israel anticipates the Messiah’s perfect reign.

Theological Significance

• God Alone Possesses Ultimate Dominion. Every other authority is derivative and accountable.
• Human Rule Is a Stewardship. Whether in the home, the city gate, or the palace, leadership is to reflect the righteousness and justice of God.
• Dominion Is Linked with Worship. When authority rebels against divine order, idolatry and oppression follow; when aligned, blessing flows.
• Self-Government Is Foundational. Proverbs ties true leadership to mastery of one’s own spirit, foreshadowing New Testament teaching on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23).

Messianic Foreshadowing

Psalm 110:2 commands the enthroned Son, “Rule in the midst of your enemies.” Micah 5:2 identifies the Messiah as the everlasting Ruler. These texts converge in Jesus Christ, whose authority the New Testament declares: “He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Leadership: Pastors and civil servants are called to rule “in the fear of God” (2 Samuel 23:3), combining authority with humility and justice.
• Spiritual Warfare: Believers confront sin with the Genesis 4:7 mandate—through the Spirit, they must “rule over it.”
• Stewardship of Creation: Dominion theology anchored in Genesis 1:18 encourages care, not exploitation, of the earth.
• Social Ethics: Proverbs 22:7 warns against economic oppression, guiding Christian engagement in finance and philanthropy.
• Family Discipleship: Ephesians 5 echoes Genesis 3:16 yet transforms household authority by Christlike self-sacrifice.

Intertextual Echoes in the New Testament

The Greek counterparts βασιλεύω and κυριεύω carry forward the mashal concept. Romans 5:17 contrasts death’s reign with believers “reigning in life through the one Man, Jesus Christ.” Revelation 20:6 promises that the saints “will reign with Him for a thousand years,” completing the scriptural arc from Genesis dominion to eschatological co-reign.

Summary

מָשַׁל presents a unified biblical portrait of authority: created by God, corrupted by sin, redirected through covenant, clarified by wisdom, foretold in prophecy, and consummated in Christ. It challenges every generation to exercise dominion under the Lord’s supreme rule, anticipating the day when “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

אֶמְשֹׁ֤ל אמשל הַמְשֵׁ֣ל הַמְשֹׁ֨ל הַמֹּשֵׁ֖ל הַמּֽוֹשְׁלִ֨ים הַמּוֹשֵׁל֙ המושל המושלים המשל וְהִמְשִׁילָם֙ וְלִמְשֹׁל֙ וַֽיִּמְשְׁל֥וּ וּ֝מֹשֵׁ֗ל וּ֠מֹשֵׁל וּבִמְשֹׁ֥ל וּמָֽשַׁלְתָּ֙ וּמָשַׁ֖ל וּמָשַׁ֗ל וּמָשַׁל֙ וּמָשָׁ֔ל וּמֹֽשְׁלוֹ֙ וּמֹשֵֽׁל׃ וּמֹשֵׁ֖ל וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל ובמשל והמשילם וימשלו ולמשל ומשל ומשל׃ ומשלו ומשלת יִ֭מְשֹׁל יִמְשְׁלוּ־ יִמְשָׁל־ יִמְשֹֽׁלוּ׃ יִמְשֹׁ֥ל יִמְשׁ֑וֹל ימשול ימשל ימשל־ ימשלו־ ימשלו׃ לִמְשָׁל־ לִמְשׁ֑וֹל למשול למשל־ מ֭וֹשֵׁל מְשָׁל־ מְשֹׁ֥ל מְשֹׁ֬ל מָ֣שְׁלוּ מָשַׁ֣לְתָּ מָשָֽׁלָה׃ מָשָׁ֔ל מָשׁ֥וֹל מֹ֘שֵׁ֤ל מֹ֣שְׁלָה מֹ֭שֵׁל מֹֽשְׁלִ֔ים מֹֽשְׁלֵי֙ מֹשְׁלִ֔ים מֹשְׁלִ֤ים מֹשְׁלִ֥ים מֹשְׁלִֽים׃ מֹשֵֽׁל־ מֹשֵֽׁל׃ מֹשֵׁ֖ל מֹשֵׁ֡ל מֹשֵׁ֣ל מֹשֵׁ֥ל מֹשְׁלָ֤יו מוֹשֵׁ֑ל מוֹשֵׁ֔ל מוֹשֵׁ֖ל מוֹשֵׁ֣ל מוֹשֵׁל֙ מושל משול משל משל־ משל׃ משלה משלה׃ משלו משלי משליו משלים משלים׃ משלת תִּמְשָׁל־ תִּמְשֹׁ֖ל תִּמְשׁ֑וֹל תַּ֭מְשִׁילֵהוּ תמשול תמשילהו תמשל תמשל־ ’em·šōl ’emšōl emShol ham·mō·šêl ham·mō·wō·šə·lîm ham·mō·wō·šêl ham·šêl ham·šōl hammōšêl hammoShel hammosheLim hammōwōšêl hammōwōšəlîm hamšêl hamShel hamShol hamšōl lim·šāl- lim·šō·wl limšāl- limShol limšōwl mā·šā·lāh mā·šāl mā·šal·tā mā·šə·lū mā·šō·wl māšāl māšālāh māšaltā māšəlū maShal maShalah maShalta Mashelu maShol māšōwl mə·šāl- mə·šōl məšāl- meshol məšōl mō·šə·lāh mō·šə·lāw mō·šə·lê mō·šə·lîm mō·šêl mō·šêl- mō·wō·šêl Mooshel mōšêl mōšêl- mōšəlāh mōšəlāw mōšəlê mōšəlîm moShel Moshelah mosheLav mosheLei mosheLim mōwōšêl tam·šî·lê·hū Tamshilehu tamšîlêhū tim·šāl- tim·šō·wl tim·šōl timšāl- timshol timšōl timšōwl ū·ḇim·šōl ū·mā·šal ū·mā·šāl ū·mā·šal·tā ū·mō·šə·lōw ū·mō·šêl ūḇimšōl ūmāšal ūmāšāl ūmāšaltā umaShal umashalTa ūmōšêl ūmōšəlōw umoShel umosheLo uvimShol vaiyimsheLu vehimshiLam velimShol way·yim·šə·lū wayyimšəlū wə·him·šî·lām wə·lim·šōl wəhimšîlām wəlimšōl yim·šāl- yim·šə·lū- yim·šō·lū yim·šō·wl yim·šōl yimšāl- yimšəlū- yimshelu yimshol yimSholu yimšōl yimšōlū yimšōwlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts