מָשַׁל

From the study of Genesis 3:16

Range of meaning

To rule, govern, have authority over. It is used of political rulers, household stewards, and heavenly bodies. In itself it is a neutral word of governance, neither tyrannical nor gentle.

Against the English

'He shall rule over thee' (KJV) or 'he will rule over you' (most modern versions). In older English, 'shall' in the third person can sound like a decree. Modern 'will' sounds like a prediction, which is closer to how the Hebrew form works in this speech.

How it drifted

Readers often take 'he shall rule' as God giving husbands a command or a charter. The Hebrew future form can express a command, but in a speech announcing consequences, alongside 'thorns and thistles it will bring forth' (3:18), it most naturally announces what will happen.

Used elsewhere in the period

Gen 1:18 (sun and moon 'rule' day and night); 24:2 (the servant 'who ruled over all he had'); 37:8 (the brothers to Joseph: 'will you really rule over us?'); 45:8, 26 (Joseph ruler of Egypt); Judg 8:22–23 (Gideon: 'I will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you'); Gen 4:7 ('you must rule over it'). In Gen 1:26–28 a different verb (rādāh) gives humanity, male and female together, dominion over the animals. Mashal between man and woman first appears here.

From the study of Micah 5:2

Range of meaning

One who rules, governs or has dominion. It is broader than "king" and can be used of God (1 Chronicles 29:12), of kings, of officials, and of the sun and moon "ruling" day and night (Genesis 1:18).

Against the English

"Ruler" is accurate. Readers should notice what Micah did not write: melekh, "king."

Used elsewhere in the period

David's last words describe the ideal: "one who rules (moshel) over people righteously, ruling in the fear of God" (2 Samuel 23:3). Jeremiah 30:21 likewise promises a moshel arising "from their midst" who is brought near to God.

From the study of Genesis 24:2

Range of meaning

'To rule, have dominion, govern'. Used of the sun and moon ruling day and night (Gen 1:18), of a husband over a wife (Gen 3:16), of Joseph ruling over all Egypt (Gen 45:8, 26), and of kings and of God's rule. It means real authority to direct and decide. (A different root with the same letters gives mashal, 'proverb', which is unrelated here.)

Against the English

KJV, WEB and YLT keep 'ruled' or 'is ruling'. BSB's 'managed' and phrases like 'had charge of' or 'in charge of' in modern versions are good idiomatic English for a steward, but they sound more administrative and less authoritative than the Hebrew.

Used elsewhere in the period

Gen 45:8 (Joseph, 'ruler over all the land of Egypt') is the closest parallel: another subordinate given authority over 'all' of a master's realm. Compare Gen 39:4–6, where Potiphar puts 'all that he had' into Joseph's hand. The LXX uses ἄρχων, 'ruler'.