Lexical Summary manul: Lock, bolt Original Word: מַנְעוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lock Or maniul {man-ool'}; from na'al; a bolt -- lock. see HEBREW na'al NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naal Definition a bolt NASB Translation bolt (1), bolts (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַנְעוּל noun [masculine] bolt; — absolute ׳כַּמּוֺת הַמּ Songs 5:5 (of house-door); plural suffix מַנְעוּלָיו Nehemiah 3:3, מַנְעֻלָיו Nehemiah 3:6; Nehemiah 3:13; Nehemiah 3:14; Nehemiah 3:15, all of city- gates, in phrase ׳דַּלְתֹתָיו (וּ)מַנ וּבְרִיחָיו. Topical Lexicon Usage in the Canon מַנְעוּל appears six times, all in post-exilic literature except one lyrical use. Five references cluster in Nehemiah 3 (verses 3, 6, 13, 14, 15), describing the “bolts and bars” that secured Jerusalem’s restored gates. The remaining occurrence is in Song of Songs 5:5, where the “handles of the bolt” form part of an intimate scene between bride and bridegroom. Historical Background: Nehemiah’s Gates After the Babylonian exile, the small but determined remnant faced constant external threats (Nehemiah 4:7-9). Building solid gates with dependable bolts was therefore not ornamentation but survival. Each section of wall entrusted to different families ended with the same refrain: they “set up its doors, bolts, and bars” (Nehemiah 3:3). The repeated mention of מַנְעוּל highlights communal diligence, covenant obedience, and confidence that God would defend what they secured. Literary Contrast: Song of Songs Where Nehemiah pictures civic defense, Song of Songs employs the same term for private devotion. “My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh, on the handles of the bolt” (Song of Songs 5:5). The bridegroom knocks; the bride slowly unlatches the door. The bolt signals exclusivity: access is granted only to the beloved. In Christian typology, the scene foreshadows the Lord’s gracious invitation (Revelation 3:20) and warns against delayed response (Song of Songs 5:6-7). Theological Themes 1. Security granted by God. Though skilled craftsmen set the bolts, Psalm 127:1 reminds that “unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Nehemiah’s record unites human responsibility and divine protection. Ministry Significance • Shepherding: Church leaders, like gatekeepers, must maintain doctrinal “bolts,” admitting truth and excluding error while trusting Christ as ultimate Protector (Acts 20:28-31). Christological Reflection The Gospel portrays Jesus both as Door (John 10:9) and Key-Bearer (Revelation 3:7). Earthly bolts illustrate the security found in Him: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). Conversely, delaying to open when He knocks leaves the soul exposed to night’s dangers. Related Motifs Deuteronomy 33:25 promises “iron and bronze bars” to Asher, linking strong bolts with covenant blessing. Isaiah 45:2 foretells God breaking “doors of bronze and cutting through bars of iron” to deliver His people, reminding that no earthly lock can resist His redeeming purpose. Summary Whether guarding a city under siege or sealing a chamber of love, מַנְעוּל depicts secure, covenant-based boundaries. Properly fastened, it safeguards worship, intimates trust, and points to the ultimate security granted in the Lord Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּנְעֽוּל׃ המנעול׃ וּמַנְעֻלָ֖יו ומנעליו מַנְעֻלָ֖יו מַנְעוּלָ֖יו מנעוליו מנעליו ham·man·‘ūl hamman‘ūl hammanUl man‘ulāw man‘ūlāw man·‘u·lāw man·‘ū·lāw manuLav ū·man·‘u·lāw ūman‘ulāw umanuLavLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 3:3 HEB: וַֽיַּעֲמִ֙ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו מַנְעוּלָ֖יו וּבְרִיחָֽיו׃ ס NAS: its doors with its bolts and bars. KJV: the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars INT: and hung doors bolts and bars Nehemiah 3:6 Nehemiah 3:13 Nehemiah 3:14 Nehemiah 3:15 Songs 5:5 6 Occurrences |
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