4948. mishqal
Lexical Summary
mishqal: Weight, measure

Original Word: מִשְׁקָל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mishqal
Pronunciation: mish-KAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (mish-kawl')
KJV: (full) weight
NASB: weight, weighed, weighing, full, rationed amounts, weigh
Word Origin: [from H8254 (שָׁקַל - weighed)]

1. weight (numerically estimated)
2. (hence) weighing (the act)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
full weight

From shaqal; weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act) -- (full) weight.

see HEBREW shaqal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from shaqal
Definition
weight
NASB Translation
full (1), rationed amounts (1), weigh (1), weighed (4), weighing (3), weight (39).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מִשְׁקָל noun masculine id.;; — absolute׳מ 1Ki 25:16+; construct מִשְׁקַל Judges 8:26+; suffix מִשְׁקָלוֺ Genesis 24:22+, etc.; — weight Genesis 24:22 (twice in verse)(J), Joshua 7:21 (JE), Judges 8:26; 1 Samuel 17:5; 2 Samuel 12:30; 2 Samuel 21:16a (2Samuel 21:16b read שֶׁקֶל with ᵐ5.[see especially ᵐ5L] We Dr and modern), 1 Kings 7:47; 1 Kings 10:14; Numbers 7:13 + 11t. Numbers 7 (P), 7 t. Chronicles; of wind Job 28:25; בְּמִשְׁקָלוֺ Genesis 43:21(J) in its (full) weight t, compare ׳מאֹזְנֵי מ Ezekiel 5:1; ׳בַּמּ by weight Leviticus 26:26; 1 Chronicles 28:14 a. 1 Chronicles 28:18 ׳בְּמ id. Ezekiel 4:16 (of bread), Ezra 8:34; 1 Chronicles 28:14b; 1 Chronicles 28:15 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 28:17 (twice in verse); ׳בַּמּ Leviticus 19:35 in respect to weight, compare ׳מ 1 Chronicles 28:16 as to weight, in weight; ׳לֹאהָֿיָה מ (i.e. there was too much to be weighed) 2 Kings 25:16 = Jeremiah 52:20,׳אֵתן מ 1 Chronicles 22:3,14.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Mishqal denotes an assessed “weight” and appears about forty-nine times in the Old Testament. Scripture employs the word in three principal spheres: (1) accurate measurement of materials dedicated to worship, (2) evaluation of royal or commercial property, and (3) moral instruction regarding honesty and divine judgment.

Weights in the construction and maintenance of holy space

Exodus 38:24-29 records the first extended use. “All the gold from the wave offering used for the work on the sanctuary weighed twenty-nine talents and seven hundred thirty shekels” (Exodus 38:24). The narrator repeats mishqal for silver and bronze (verses 25-29), underscoring that nothing in the tabernacle was estimated loosely; every precious metal was weighed before the Lord.
• In Solomon’s day the same scrupulous exactness governed temple craftsmanship: “Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were too many; the weight of the bronze could not be determined” (1 Kings 7:47). The verb shifts from weighing to the impossibility of weighing, highlighting the super-abundance of divine provision.
• Ezra revived this tradition when returning exiles delivered temple offerings: “At the house of our God we carefully weighed the silver, the gold, and the vessels” (Ezra 8:33). The meticulous accounting safeguarded both worship integrity and the reputation of the priests.

Royal economy and public life

• The monarchy used the “king’s weight” as an official standard. Absalom’s vanity is measured by it: “When he cut the hair of his head … the weight of the hair of his head was two hundred shekels by the king’s weight” (2 Samuel 14:26).
• Weapons and tribute are similarly quantified. Ishbi-benob’s deadly spear weighed “three hundred bronze shekels” (2 Samuel 21:16), and the annual influx of tribute to Solomon included “the weight of gold that came to Solomon each year: six hundred sixty-six talents of gold” (1 Kings 10:14). Such notices demonstrate that the prosperity or threat posed by a kingdom could be expressed in measurable, objective terms.

Commercial justice and ethical instruction

Mishqal moves from the temple and palace into the marketplace as a symbol of righteousness.
• “Accurate weights are His delight” (Proverbs 11:1).
• “Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are His work” (Proverbs 16:11).

Because God Himself guarantees the standard, cheating a neighbor becomes an affront to divine authority. Prophets later denounce Israel for “a bag of deceitful weights” (Micah 6:11).

Figurative applications

Even when the literal object is absent, the term’s concrete imagery conveys moral or spiritual gravity. Job laments, “Oh that my grief were weighed!” (Job 6:2). The psalmist exults that God “takes no pleasure in the strength of the horse” (Psalm 147:10); human boasting carries no weight beside divine power. By associating worth with measurable weight, Scripture teaches that true value is found where God assigns it.

Theological and ministry significance

1. Worship integrity: Mishqal reminds the church that offerings—whether resources, time, or talents—should be presented thoughtfully and accountably.
2. Stewardship: Believers are called to transparent handling of money and possessions, echoing the sanctuary practice of weighing everything before God.
3. Justice: Just weights illustrate impartiality. Christians engaged in business, governance, or ministry must maintain standards that reflect the character of the Lord who “shows no partiality.”
4. Hope of glory: The Old Testament’s emphasis on measurable weight prepares for Paul’s declaration that present trials are “light and momentary,” producing “an eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The gospel moves the theme from metal on scales to the incomparable, lasting value of redemption.

Summary

Wherever mishqal appears, Scripture ties physical measurement to spiritual reality. From tabernacle gold to marketplace scales, God requires accuracy, honesty, and reverence, teaching His people to weigh every action in the balance of His unchanging righteousness.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּמִשְׁקַל־ בְּמִשְׁקָ֔ל בְּמִשְׁקָ֖ל בְּמִשְׁקָל֑וֹ בְּמִשְׁקָל֙ בַּמִּשְׁקָ֑ל בַּמִּשְׁקָ֖ל בַּמִּשְׁקָל֙ במשקל במשקל־ במשקלו הַמִּשְׁקָ֖ל המשקל וּמִשְׁקַ֤ל וּמִשְׁקַל֙ וּמִשְׁקָ֛ל וּמִשְׁקָ֞ל וּמִשְׁקָלָ֨הּ ומשקל ומשקלה מִשְׁקַ֛ל מִשְׁקַ֞ל מִשְׁקַ֣ל מִשְׁקַ֥ל מִשְׁקָ֑ל מִשְׁקָ֔ל מִשְׁקָ֖ל מִשְׁקָ֛ל מִשְׁקָֽל׃ מִשְׁקָל֑וֹ מִשְׁקָל֔וֹ מִשְׁקָלָֽם׃ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ משקל משקל׃ משקלה משקלו משקלם׃ bam·miš·qāl bammishKal bammišqāl bə·miš·qā·lōw bə·miš·qāl bə·miš·qal- bemishKal bemishkaLo bəmišqāl bəmišqal- bəmišqālōw ham·miš·qāl hammishKal hammišqāl miš·qā·lāh miš·qā·lām miš·qā·lōw miš·qal miš·qāl mishKal mishkaLah mishkaLam mishkaLo mišqal mišqāl mišqālāh mišqālām mišqālōw ū·miš·qā·lāh ū·miš·qal ū·miš·qāl umishKal umishkaLah ūmišqal ūmišqāl ūmišqālāh
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 24:22
HEB: זָהָ֔ב בֶּ֖קַע מִשְׁקָל֑וֹ וּשְׁנֵ֤י צְמִידִים֙
NAS: ring weighing a half-shekel
KJV: of half a shekel weight, and two
INT: A gold A half-shekel weighing and two bracelets

Genesis 24:22
HEB: עֲשָׂרָ֥ה זָהָ֖ב מִשְׁקָלָֽם׃
NAS: for her wrists weighing ten
KJV: of ten [shekels] weight of gold;
INT: ten gold weighing

Genesis 43:21
HEB: אַמְתַּחְתּ֔וֹ כַּסְפֵּ֖נוּ בְּמִשְׁקָל֑וֹ וַנָּ֥שֶׁב אֹת֖וֹ
NAS: our money in full. So we have brought it back
KJV: our money in full weight: and we have brought it again
INT: of his sack our money full have brought our hand

Leviticus 19:35
HEB: בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט בַּמִּדָּ֕ה בַּמִּשְׁקָ֖ל וּבַמְּשׂוּרָֽה׃
NAS: in measurement of weight, or capacity.
KJV: in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
INT: judgment measurement of weight capacity

Leviticus 26:26
HEB: וְהֵשִׁ֥יבוּ לַחְמְכֶ֖ם בַּמִּשְׁקָ֑ל וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֖ם וְלֹ֥א
NAS: your bread in rationed amounts, so that you will eat
KJV: again by weight: and ye shall eat,
INT: will bring your bread rationed you will eat not

Numbers 7:13
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight thereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:19
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:25
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:31
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger of the weight of an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:37
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:43
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger of the weight of an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:49
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:55
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger of the weight of an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:61
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:67
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Numbers 7:73
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty one weight bowl one

Numbers 7:79
HEB: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙
NAS: dish whose weight [was] one hundred
KJV: charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred
INT: and thirty hundred weight bowl one

Joshua 7:21
HEB: חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים שְׁקָלִים֙ מִשְׁקָל֔וֹ וָֽאֶחְמְדֵ֖ם וָֽאֶקָּחֵ֑ם
NAS: shekels in weight, then I coveted
KJV: shekels weight, then I coveted
INT: fifty shekels weight coveted and took

Judges 8:26
HEB: וַיְהִ֗י מִשְׁקַ֞ל נִזְמֵ֤י הַזָּהָב֙
NAS: The weight of the gold earrings
KJV: And the weight of the golden earrings
INT: become and the weight earrings gold

1 Samuel 17:5
HEB: ה֣וּא לָב֑וּשׁ וּמִשְׁקַל֙ הַשִּׁרְי֔וֹן חֲמֵשֶׁת־
NAS: with scale-armor which weighed five
KJV: of mail; and the weight of the coat
INT: and he was clothed weighed of the coat five

2 Samuel 12:30
HEB: מֵעַ֨ל רֹאשׁ֜וֹ וּמִשְׁקָלָ֨הּ כִּכַּ֤ר זָהָב֙
NAS: from his head; and its weight [was] a talent
KJV: from off his head, the weight whereof [was] a talent
INT: from his head weight a talent of gold

2 Samuel 21:16
HEB: בִּילִידֵ֣י הָרָפָ֗ה וּמִשְׁקַ֤ל קֵינוֹ֙ שְׁלֹ֤שׁ
NAS: of the giant, the weight of whose spear
KJV: of the giant, the weight of whose spear
INT: the descendants of the giant the weight spear was three

2 Samuel 21:16
HEB: שְׁלֹ֤שׁ מֵאוֹת֙ מִשְׁקַ֣ל נְחֹ֔שֶׁת וְה֖וּא
NAS: [shekels] of bronze in weight, was girded
KJV: [shekels] of brass in weight, he being girded
INT: was three hundred weight bronze he

1 Kings 7:47
HEB: לֹ֥א נֶחְקַ֖ר מִשְׁקַ֥ל הַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת׃
NAS: many; the weight of the bronze
KJV: many: neither was the weight of the brass
INT: could not be ascertained the weight of the bronze

1 Kings 10:14
HEB: וַֽיְהִי֙ מִשְׁקַ֣ל הַזָּהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁר־
NAS: Now the weight of gold which
KJV: Now the weight of gold that came
INT: become now the weight of gold that

49 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4948
49 Occurrences


bam·miš·qāl — 4 Occ.
bə·miš·qāl — 7 Occ.
bə·miš·qā·lōw — 1 Occ.
ham·miš·qāl — 1 Occ.
miš·qal — 16 Occ.
miš·qā·lāh — 12 Occ.
miš·qā·lām — 1 Occ.
miš·qā·lōw — 2 Occ.
ū·miš·qal — 4 Occ.
ū·miš·qā·lāh — 1 Occ.

4947
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