Original Word: מִכְשׁוֹל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mikshowl
Pronunciation: mik-SHOHL
Phonetic Spelling: (mik-shole')
KJV: caused to fall, offence, X (no-)thing offered, ruin, stumbling-block
NASB: stumbling block, obstacle, stumble, fall, occasion of stumbling, stumbling blocks, troubled
Word Origin: [masculine from H3782 (כָּשַׁל - stumble)]

1. a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)

caused to fall, offence, nothing offered, ruin, stumbling-block

Or mikshol {mik-shole'}; masculine from kashal; a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple) -- caused to fall, offence, X (no-)thing offered, ruin, stumbling-block.

see HEBREW kashal

Word Origin
from kashal
Definition
a stumbling, means or occasion of stumbling, a stumbling block
NASB Translation
fall (1), obstacle (2), occasion of stumbling (1), stumble (2), stumbling block (6), stumbling blocks (1), troubled (1).

מִכְשׁוֺל noun masculine^{Jeremiah 6:21} a stumbling, means or occasion of stumbling, stumbling-block; — ׳מ absolute Isaiah 8:14 3t., מִכְשֹׁל Leviticus 19:14; construct מִכְשׁוֺל 1 Samuel 25:31 6t. Ezekiel; plural מִכְשֹׁלִים Jeremiah 6:21 + Ezekiel 21:20 ᵑ0 (Co and others מֻכְשָׁלִים, see below); —

1 stumbling, ׳צוּר מ Isaiah 8:14 (fig) a rock of stumbling (i.e. over which one stumbles); literal הַרְבֵּה הַמִּכְשֹׁלִים Ezekiel 21:20 an abundance of stumblings, falls (si vera lectio; ᵐ5. οἱ ἀσθενοῦντες, apparently reading participle, compare Sm; so Co Da (as a possibility), i.e. מֻכְשָׁלִים

Hoph`al Participle of כשׁל = those who have stumbled or been overthrown).

2 means, or occasion of stumbling, stumbling-block; a literal Leviticus 19:14.

b. figurative of misfortune, calamity Paslm Lev 119:165; in divine judgment Jeremiah 6:21; Ezekiel 3:20, as a hindrance to restoration of people Isaiah 57:14.

c. in ethical sense עֲוֺנָם ׳מ Ezekiel 7:19 a stumbling-block of (i.e. occasioning) their iniquity, so Ezekiel 14:3,4,7; Ezekiel 18:30; Ezekiel 44:12 (mostly with reference to idols.).

d. לֵב ׳מ 1 Samuel 25:31 a stumbling-block of heart i.e. ground for remorse.

Conceptual Overview

מִכְשׁוֹל (mikshol) denotes any hindrance that trips a person physically or morally. Its fourteen appearances trace a movement from literal obstruction to profound spiritual metaphor, showing how stumbling can arise from human malice, inner idolatry, or divine judgment, and how God calls His people to remove every impediment to covenant faithfulness.

Moral Law and Human Responsibility

“​You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:14)

The first occurrence establishes the principle that love of neighbor forbids exploiting another’s weakness. Physical stumbling blocks symbolize any act that causes a vulnerable person to fall into harm or sin. The command is grounded in reverent fear of the LORD, making social ethics an expression of worship.

A Burdened Conscience Avoided

Abigail pleaded that David not carry “a staggering burden” (mikshol) of guilt for needless bloodshed (1 Samuel 25:31). Here the word pictures a weight on the conscience rather than an external obstacle. The narrative warns leaders that rash vengeance becomes an inner stumbling block that haunts future service.

The Peace of Those Who Love Torah

“Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165)

Devotion to God’s instruction stabilizes life. In a world filled with pitfalls, Scripture provides sure footing, shielding the heart from offenses that derail others.

Yahweh and His Messiah: Stone of Stumbling

“He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both houses of Israel.” (Isaiah 8:14)

The LORD Himself—ultimately fulfilled in the rejected yet chosen Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:7-8)—is either refuge or ruin, depending on faith or unbelief. The same reality that secures the remnant exposes the unreceptive, showing that response to divine revelation determines destiny.

Prophetic Calls to Remove Obstacles

“Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, remove every obstacle from the path of My people.” (Isaiah 57:14)

Restoration requires active clearing of impediments. The verse anticipates John the Baptist’s ministry (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3) and models pastoral labor: preparing hearts for the King by dismantling barriers of sin, tradition, or despair.

Divine Judgment by Imposed Stumbling Blocks

“Behold, I will put obstacles before this people; fathers and sons together will stumble over them.” (Jeremiah 6:21)

“If a righteous man turns… and I place a stumbling block before him, he will die.” (Ezekiel 3:20)

When warnings are ignored, God may intensify hardness through judicial stumbling blocks, exposing hypocrisy and vindicating His holiness. The watchman’s negligence in Ezekiel adds a sobering dimension: leaders who withhold truth share culpability for the fall of others.

Idolatry as the Stumbling Block of Iniquity

“Their silver and gold… has become their stumbling block of iniquity.” (Ezekiel 7:19)

“Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put right before them the stumbling block of their iniquity.” (Ezekiel 14:3, cf. 14:4, 7; 18:30)

Mikshol often stands in construct with “iniquity,” portraying cherished idols—whether wealth, images, or inner cravings—as trip-wires to destruction. The heart, not merely external habit, is the stage on which stumbling is prepared.

Priestly Failure and Corporate Stumbling

“Because they served them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel…” (Ezekiel 44:12)

Spiritual leaders who accommodate idolatry mislead worshipers, multiplying national guilt. Priestly compromise therefore receives stricter censure, reminding modern ministers that doctrinal fidelity safeguards the flock.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Examine personal motives; hidden idols become eventual pitfalls (1 Corinthians 10:12).
• Teach the whole counsel of God; withholding warning creates communal stumbling (Acts 20:26-27).
• Pursue peace and edification, refusing liberties that trip weaker believers (Romans 14:13).
• Proclaim Christ crucified without alteration; some will stumble, yet the gospel remains “the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).

Mikshol thus warns and guides. It exposes anything—deeds, desires, or doctrines—that diverts people from wholehearted obedience, and it summons the faithful to clear every hindrance so that all may walk securely in the ways of the LORD.

הַמִּכְשֹׁלִ֔ים המכשלים וּלְמִכְשׁ֨וֹל וּמִכְשׁ֣וֹל וּמִכְשׁ֤וֹל ולמכשול ומכשול לְמִכְשׁ֖וֹל לְמִכְשׁ֣וֹל למכשול מִכְשֹׁ֑ל מִכְשֹׁלִ֑ים מִכְשֽׁוֹל׃ מִכְשׁ֖וֹל מִכְשׁ֛וֹל מִכְשׁ֜וֹל מִכְשׁ֥וֹל מכשול מכשול׃ מכשל מכשלים ham·miḵ·šō·lîm hammichshoLim hammiḵšōlîm lə·miḵ·šō·wl lemichShol ləmiḵšōwl michShol michshoLim miḵ·šō·lîm miḵ·šō·wl miḵ·šōl miḵšōl miḵšōlîm miḵšōwl ū·lə·miḵ·šō·wl ū·miḵ·šō·wl ulemichShol ūləmiḵšōwl umichShol ūmiḵšōwlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts