Original Word: מַעַל
Part of Speech: substantive; adverb; preposition
Transliteration: ma`al
Pronunciation: mah-ahl
Phonetic Spelling: (mah'al)
KJV: above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on (X very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very
NASB: upward, top, above, heaven, higher, over, very
Word Origin: [from H5927 (עָלָה - went)]

1. (properly) the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

above, exceedingly, forward, on very high, over, upon very

From alah; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc. -- above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on (X very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.

see HEBREW alah

Word Origin
from alah
Definition
above, upwards
NASB Translation
above (7), above* (32), covered* (1), exceedingly (1), forward (2), greater (1), greatly (1), heaven (4), high above (1), high* (1), higher (4), highly (2), hovered* (2), older (2), onward (2), over (4), over* (1), severe (1), successive story (1), top (9), upside down (1), upward (53), upward by stages (1), upwards (2), very (3).

מַ֫עַל₁₄₀ substantive, higher part, only in

adverb and

preposition phrases, above, upwards (Phoenician מעל, see below מַ֫טּה p. 641: abbreviated from מַעֲלֶה; compare מַ֫עַן in לְמַ֫עַן from ׃עָנָה Kö^{ii. 116}): —

1 מִמַּ֫עַל = above (see מִן 1c)

a. as adverb Amos 2:9 וָאַשְׁמִיד מִּרְיוֺ מִמֵּעַל his fruit above (opposed to שָׁרָשָׁיו מִתָּ֑חַת), Job 18:16; 1 Kings 7:3,20,29; often in the phrase הַשָּׁמַמַיִם מִמַּעַל Deuteronomy 4:39; Deuteronomy 5:8 ( = Exodus 20:4), Joshua 2:11; 1 Kings 8:23; Isaiah 45:8; Jeremiah 4:28; compare ׳שְׁחָקִים מ Psalm 78:23; Proverbs 8:28, ׳אֱלוֺהַּ מ Job 3:4; Job 31:2, ׳אֵל מ Job 31:28.

b. מִמַּעַל לְ, as preposition (מן

1c), on the top of, above, Genesis 22:9 ממעל לָעֵצִים above the wood, Exodus 28:27 = Exodus 39:20, Leviticus 11:21 כְּרָעַיִם מִמַּעַל לְרַגְלָיו, Isaiah 6:2 שְׁרָפִים עֹמדים מִמַּעַל לוֺ, Isaiah 14:13; Jeremiah 43:10; Ezekiel 1:26; Daniel 12:6,7; = on higher ground than, Jeremiah 35:4; figurative Jeremiah 52:32 ("" 2 Kings 25:28 מֵעַל).

2 With ָ  ה locative מַ֫עְלָה, מָ֑עְלָה upwards (opposed to מַ֫טָּה p. 641) :

a. figurative Deuteronomy 28:43 יַעֲלֶה עֶלֶיךָ מַ֫עְלָה מָ֫עְלָה upwards, upwards, i.e. higher and higher (opposed to מַ֫טָּה מָֽטָה).

b. וָמַ֫עְלָה (a) of direction in space, Judges 1:36 מֵהַסֶּלַע וָמַ֫עְלָה from the rock and upwards (compare Bu), 1 Kings 7:31 (corrupt: see Sta VB Benz), 1 Samuel 9:2 = 1 Samuel 10:23 מִשִּׁכְמוֺ וָמַ֫עְלָה from his shoulder and upwards: so ׳וּלְמ, Ezekiel 1:27 מִמַּרְאֵה מָתְנָיו וּלְמָ֑עְלָה Ezekiel 8:2; Ezekiel 43:5. (b) of direction in time, or age: — (a) מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמָ֑עְלָה Exodus 30:14; Numbers 1:3 19t. P, ׳מִבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וָמ Numbers 3:15,22 6t. P, simil. Numbers 4:3; Numbers 8:24 7t. P; elsewhere only 1 Chronicles 23:3,24; Ezra 3:8, and with וּלְמַעְלָה 1 Chronicles 23:17; 2Chronicles 31:16,17; ׳לְמִבֶּן ֗֗֗ וָמ2Chronicles 25:5; and 2 Kings 3:21 מִכֹּל חֹגֵר חֲגֹרָה ׳וָמ. (β) ׳מהיום ההוא וָמ from that day and onwards, 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 30:25. (γ) ׳מן היום הזִה וָמ from this day and upwards (i.e. and back), Haggai 2:15,18 **and onwards (as β) is more probably: see Now We^{Kl. Proph. ed. 8 {1898}} Marti Dr.

c. לְמַ֫עְלָךְ upwards, more common than ׳מ alone (

a): (a) Exodus 25:20 (= Exodus 37:9) ֹ˜מּרְשֵׂי ׳כְנָפַיִם למ Judges 7:13 ׳ויהפכחו למ overthrew it upwards, i.e. turned it downside up, Isaiah 7:11 ׳אוֺ הַגְבֵּהַּ למ or make it (the request) high upwards, Isaiah 8:21 ׳וּפָנָה למ, Isaiah 37:31 (2 Kings 19:30) ועשׂה פרי ׳למ (compare Amos 2:9, 1a), Ezekiel 41:7 a β (v:a α bis ׳למ ׳למ = higher and higher), Psalm 74:5; figurative ׳וְהָיִיתָ רַק למ Deuteronomy 28:13 (compare

a), Proverbs 15:24 ׳אֹרַח חַיִּים למ (opposed to שְׁאוֺל מָֽטָּה ׃), compare Ecclesiastes 3:21; followed by a noun, Ezra 9:6 רּאשׁ ׳למ over the head, followed by מֵעַל (compare Aboth Ezra 2:1 לְמַעְלָה מִן) = above, 2 Chronicles 34:4: see also

b a, b a. (b) metaphor = exceedingly, only in Chronicles: 1 Chronicles 14:2; 1 Chronicles 22:5 the house must be built to J. ׳לְהַגְדִּיל למ so as to shew greatness exceedingly, 1 Chronicles 23:17 ׳רָבוּ למ ׳וּבְנֵי ר, 1 Chronicles 29:3 (followed by מִ ן; = over and above ...), 1 Chronicles 29:25; 2Chronicles 1:1 ׳וַיְגַדְּלֵהוּ למ, 2 Chronicles 20:19; עַד לְמַ֫עְלָה, 2 Chronicles 16:12; 17:12; 26:8.

d. מִלְמַ֫עְלָה (see מִן

9a), adverb, above (the more usual prose synonym of מִמַּעַל): Genesis 6:16 אֶלאַֿמָּה תְּכַלֶּנָּה ׳מ Genesis 7:20 15cubits ׳מ (i.e. above the mountain-tops), Exodus 25:21 (Exodus 40:20) ׳וְנָתַתָּ֫ה אֶתהַֿכַּמֹּרֶת על הארון מ upon the ark above, Exodus 26:14 (Exodus 36:19; 40:19; Numbers 4:25) a covering of skins on the tent ׳מ above, Num 39:31; Numbers 4:6; 1 Kings 7:11,25; 1 Kings 8:7 (2 Chronicles 4:4; 5:8), Jeremiah 31:37 ׳אִם יִמַּדּוּ שָׁמַיִם מ (compare 1a), Ezekiel 1:11 ׳מְּרֻדוֺת מ separate above, Ezekiel 1:22; Ezekiel 1:26; Ezekiel 10:19; Ezekiel 11:22; Ezekiel 37:8; from above, Joshua 3:13,16 ׳הַמַּיִם הַיֹּרְדִים מ.

Overview

The Hebrew term מַעַל (Strong’s 4605) conveys the notions of “above,” “upper,” “upward,” “higher,” “over,” or “more than.” Spanning roughly one-hundred forty occurrences from Genesis through Ezekiel, it functions as adverb, preposition, and substantive, weaving together literal elevation, covenant privilege, and theological transcendence.

Cosmic and Geographical Height

Genesis opens with a vast vertical divide: “God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above it” (Genesis 1:7). מַעַל later describes the ark’s roof finished “a cubit from above” (Genesis 6:16) and Joseph’s blessing drawn from “the heavens above” (Genesis 49:25). Whenever Scripture speaks of mountains, clouds, or heavens in relation to earth, מַעַל often supplies the vocabulary of height.

Sanctuary Architecture

Moses’ tabernacle blueprint abounds with the term. The cherubim extend their wings “upward” over the mercy seat (Exodus 25:20); coverings are placed “on top” of sacred furniture (Numbers 4:6, 8, 11). The language continues in Temple narratives: Solomon acknowledges the God who reigns “in heaven above” (1 Kings 8:23). Thus the earthly sanctuary directs worshipers’ gaze to a reality beyond sight.

Covenant Exaltation

Obedience brings elevation: “The LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1; cf. 26:19). Solomon’s early reign illustrates the promise: “The LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him” (2 Chronicles 1:1). Curses reverse the direction as Israel’s enemies rise “above” (Deuteronomy 28:43), showing that the One who lifts up can also bring low.

Moral and Spiritual Superiority

Height becomes an ethical metaphor. “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:11). God’s ways are necessarily “higher” than human schemes (implicit in Isaiah 55:9). The believer is summoned to align with the higher standard, anticipating the New Testament imperative to set affections “on things above.”

Comparative and Superlative Force

מַעַל amplifies comparisons: Saul stood “from his shoulders and upward… taller than any of the people” (1 Samuel 9:2). David honors the Lord “above all” blessings (1 Chronicles 29:11). The term can mark quantity, rank, or intensity whenever Scripture contrasts one thing as surpassing another.

Prophetic Vision and Apocalyptic Imagery

Ezekiel repeats the word in escalating tiers: creatures, expanse, and “above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne” (Ezekiel 1:26). Daniel hears a celestial voice “from above the waters” (Daniel 12:7). Each occurrence propels attention upward until it settles on divine glory.

Wisdom Perspective

Job is urged, “Look to the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds high above you” (Job 35:5). Proverbs echoes creation, speaking of clouds “established above” (Proverbs 8:28). Height functions as a pedagogical tool—an ever-present sermon on God’s stability and man’s dependence.

Distinction from 4604

Although spelled identically, Strong’s 4604 denotes “trespass.” Context keeps the two ideas separate: faithlessness drags down; מַעַל (4605) lifts up, dividing true worship from defection.

Ministry Applications

• Worship: Highlight the God who dwells “in heaven above,” fostering reverence (1 Kings 8:23).
• Preaching: Deuteronomy 28:1 illustrates that exaltation follows obedience, not self-promotion.
• Pastoral care: Psalm 103:11 reassures penitents that mercy towers over sin.
• Teaching: Tabernacle imagery shows how holiness is symbolized by placement “above” the common.

Key References

Genesis 1:7; Genesis 49:25; Exodus 25:20; Numbers 4:6; Deuteronomy 28:1; 1 Samuel 9:2; 1 Kings 8:23; Psalm 103:11; Ezekiel 1:26; Daniel 12:7.

Conclusion

מַעַל supplies Scripture with its vocabulary of elevation—physical, covenantal, and spiritual. Whether lifting waters heavenward, Israel above the nations, or eyes toward a throne “above the expanse,” it continually invites God’s people to recognize His supremacy and to seek the upward calling found in faithful obedience.

וָמַ֔עְלָה וָמַ֖עְלָה וָמַ֗עְלָה וָמַ֙עְלָה֙ וָמָ֑עְלָה וָמָֽעְלָה׃ וּ֝מִמַּ֗עַל וּלְמַ֔עְלָה וּלְמָ֑עְלָה וּלְמָֽעְלָה׃ וּמִלְמַ֗עְלָה וּמִמַּ֗עַל ולמעלה ולמעלה׃ ומלמעלה וממעל ומעלה ומעלה׃ לְמַ֔עְלָה לְמַ֖עְלָה לְמַ֗עְלָה לְמַ֙עְלָה֙ לְמַ֜עְלָה לְמַ֣עְלָה לְמַ֥עְלָה לְמַ֨עְלָה לְמָ֑עְלָה לְמָֽעְלָה׃ למעלה למעלה׃ מִלְמַ֔עְלָה מִלְמַ֜עְלָה מִלְמָ֑עְלָה מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃ מִמַּ֔֡עַל מִמַּ֔עַל מִמַּ֕עַל מִמַּ֖עַל מִמַּ֗עַל מִמַּ֙עַל֙ מִמַּ֛עַל מִמַּ֡֔עַל מִמַּ֣עַל מִמַּ֥עַל מִמַּעַל֮ מִמָּ֑עַל מִמָּֽעַל׃ מַ֣עְלָה מָּ֑עְלָה מלמעלה מלמעלה׃ ממעל ממעל׃ מעלה lə·ma‘·lāh lə·mā·‘ə·lāh ləmā‘əlāh ləma‘lāh leMaelah leMalah ma‘·lāh mā‘əlāh ma‘lāh mā·‘ə·lāh Maelah Malah mil·ma‘·lāh mil·mā·‘ə·lāh milmā‘əlāh milma‘lāh milMaelah milMalah mim·ma·‘al mim·mā·‘al miMaal mimma‘al mimmā‘al ū·lə·ma‘·lāh ū·lə·mā·‘ə·lāh ū·mil·ma‘·lāh ū·mim·ma·‘al ūləmā‘əlāh ūləma‘lāh uleMaelah uleMalah ūmilma‘lāh umilMalah umiMaal ūmimma‘al vaMaelah vaMalah wā·ma‘·lāh wā·mā·‘ə·lāh wāmā‘əlāh wāma‘lāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts