Original Word: מַעַל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma`al
Pronunciation: mah-ahl
Phonetic Spelling: (mah'-al)
KJV: falsehood, grievously, sore, transgression, trespass, X very
NASB: unfaithfully, unfaithfulness, unfaithful act, unfaithful, treachery, falsehood, trespass
Word Origin: [from H4603 (מָעַל - committed)]

1. treachery, i.e. sin

falsehood, grievously, sore, transgression, trespass, very

From ma'al; treachery, i.e. Sin -- falsehood, grievously, sore, transgression, trespass, X very.

see HEBREW ma'al

Word Origin
from maal
Definition
an unfaithful or treacherous act
NASB Translation
falsehood (1), treachery (2), trespass (1), trespass* (1), unfaithful (3), unfaithful act (4), unfaithful deeds (1), unfaithfully (6), unfaithfulness (6), very unfaithful (1).

I. מַ֫עַל noun masculine^{Ezra 9:2} unfaithful, treacherous act (Late Hebrew מְעִילָה); — ׳מ Leviticus 5:15 16t.; מָ֑עַל Numbers 5:12 2t.; suffix מַעֲלוֺ Ezekiel 17:20 4t.; מַעֲלָם Ezekiel 39:26 3t.; —

1 ag. man: נשׁאר מעל Job 21:34 faithlessness remains (compare Numbers 5:12,27; Proverbs 16:10 under מָעַל).

2 elsewhere ag. God, with בְּ, Joshua 22:22 (P); without בְּ, 1 Chronicles 9:1; 2Chronicles 29:19; 33:19; Ezra 9:2,4; Ezra 10:6. — מַעַל elsewhere only with מָעַל q. v. (

1; all cited).

Theological Essence

מַעַל marks a breach of covenant fidelity, a faithless act committed not merely against another person but fundamentally against the LORD, whose covenant structures every relationship in Israel. Wherever מַעַל occurs, the text underscores treachery and disloyalty—an inside job against divine trust that fractures both worship and community.

Contexts of Occurrence

1. Priestly Regulations for Trespass (Leviticus 5; Numbers 5)

• Leviticus 5:15–16 introduces the “guilt-offering,” requiring restitution plus a fifth. The aim is relational repair: “The priest will make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he will be forgiven” (Leviticus 5:16).
• Numbers 5:6–8 applies the same principle beyond sacred property to interpersonal wrongs, insisting that restitution be made “to the LORD” even when the victim is absent. The offense pierces the covenant web, so reconciliation must start vertically.

2. Household Betrayal and Marital Jealousy (Numbers 5:12-31)

In the ordeal for suspected adultery, מַעַל describes marital infidelity (Numbers 5:12), again framing sin as covenant treachery. The ritual defends marital sanctity and, by extension, the covenant model of faithfulness that Israel must display before the nations.

3. National Apostasy (Joshua; Chronicles; Ezekiel)

• Achan’s theft from Jericho—“Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant” (Joshua 7:11)—exemplifies how one man’s מַעַל invites collective judgment.
• In 2 Chronicles 28:19 Ahaz’s idolatry is called “a rebellion against the LORD,” explaining Judah’s collapse. Similar summaries appear in 2 Chronicles 29:6; 30:7; 36:14, each linking idolatry to covenant breach.
• Ezekiel applies מַעַל to Jerusalem’s history of unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 14:13; 15:8; 17:20; 20:27), climaxing in exile yet projecting hope for a restored, obedient heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

4. Post-Exilic Intermarriage Crisis (Ezra; Nehemiah)

Ezra mourns, “The holy seed has been mixed with the peoples of the land. The hands of the officials and leaders have been foremost in this unfaithfulness” (Ezra 9:2). Confession (Ezra 10:1-2) and covenant renewal (Nehemiah 10–13) show the remedy: separation from practices that compromise holy identity.

5. Royal Failures (Saul; Manasseh)

Saul died “for the breach he committed against the LORD” (1 Chronicles 10:13). Manasseh’s record (2 Chronicles 33:19) reveals both gravity and grace: his repentance demonstrates that no מַעַל is beyond divine mercy when the sinner humbles himself.

6. Didactic Judgment in the Exile Prayers (Daniel 9)

Daniel confesses, “To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame…because we have sinned against You” (Daniel 9:7). The term gathers Israel’s long history of disloyalty into one plea for covenant mercy.

Consequences and Atonement

מַעַל always invites penalty—defeat in battle (Joshua 7), disease or barrenness (Numbers 5), exile (2 Chronicles 36). Yet each judgment scene is paired with a path to restoration: sacrificial blood, restitution, intercession, or wholehearted repentance. Divine justice and grace converge; sin must be addressed, but pardon is possible.

Ministry Significance

• Holiness of Worship – Violating sacred property (Leviticus 5) warns modern congregations to treat worship, offerings, and leadership with reverent integrity.
• Corporate Responsibility – Achan shows how private sin imperils the body. Churches must foster mutual accountability and swift correction (cf. 1 Corinthians 5).
• Marital Fidelity – Numbers 5 elevates marriage as a covenant model; pastors should guard the flock’s marriages as a testimony to Christ’s faithfulness (Ephesians 5:32).
• Covenant Identity in a Plural World – Ezra’s reforms caution believers against syncretism; holiness entails distinct living without retreating from mission.
• Confession and Restitution – Genuine repentance includes making wrongs right, a principle echoed by Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8.
• Preaching Christ – Every מַעַל foreshadows the Substitute who “was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). The ultimate guilt-offering is fulfilled at the cross, securing once-for-all atonement.

Practical Exhortations

1. Examine hidden disloyalties; secret compromise invites communal loss.
2. Embrace restorative discipline; it aims at forgiveness and renewed fellowship.
3. Pursue covenant faithfulness through Word, prayer, and sacrament, confident that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9).

Summary

מַעַל exposes the seriousness of covenant treachery while magnifying God’s relentless pursuit of reconciliation. Its storyline moves from guilt to grace, from exile to restoration, urging every generation to guarded fidelity and grateful worship before the Covenant-Keeping God.

בְּמַ֙עַל֙ בְּמַעֲל֖וֹ בְּמַעֲלָ֖ם בְּמַעֲלָ֥ם בְּמַעֲלָֽם׃ בַּמַּ֥עַל במעל במעלו במעלם במעלם׃ הַמַּ֣עַל המעל וּמַעְלוֹ֒ ומעלו מַ֔עַל מַ֖עַל מַ֙עַל֙ מַ֣עַל מַ֥עַל מָֽעֲלוּ־ מָֽעַל־ מָֽעַל׃ מָעֲלוּ־ מָעַ֛ל מָעַ֣ל מעל מעל־ מעל׃ מעלו־ bam·ma·‘al bamma‘al bamMaal bə·ma·‘ă·lām bə·ma·‘ă·lōw bə·ma·‘al bəma‘al bəma‘ălām bəma‘ălōw beMaal bemaaLam bemaaLo ham·ma·‘al hamma‘al hamMaal ma‘al mā‘al mā‘al- mā‘ălū- mā·‘ă·lū- ma·‘al mā·‘al mā·‘al- Maal maalu ū·ma‘·lōw ūma‘lōw umaLoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts