from הָלַךְ; a walk, i.e. a passage or a distance; journey, walk.
Transliteration:mahălâk
Pronunciation:mah-hal-awk'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מַהֲלָךְ (mahălâk, `{{H4109}}`) is derived from the common verbal root הָלַךְ (halak, `{{H1980}}`), meaning "to walk, go, come." This etymological connection is fundamental to understanding its semantic range. At its core, מַהֲלָךְ signifies "a walk" or "a going." From this foundational meaning, its semantic range expands to encompass both the *act* of moving and the *space* or *duration* associated with that movement. Thus, it can refer to a "passage," a "way," a "distance covered by walking," or a "journey." It captures the essence of movement from one point to another, whether as a physical path or the extent of a peregrination.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַהֲלָךְ (mahălâk, `{{H4109}}`) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in two distinct contexts, each highlighting a different facet of its meaning:
1. **Nehemiah 2:6**: In this instance, the Persian king Artaxerxes asks Nehemiah, "How long will your journey (מַהֲלָכְךָ) be? And when will you return?" Here, מַהֲלָךְ clearly refers to the duration or extent of a planned journey or expedition. It emphasizes the temporal and spatial aspect of travel, indicating a significant distance and time away. The king's concern is practical, focusing on the length of Nehemiah's absence.
2. **Ezekiel 42:4, 43:11**: In the prophetic visions of Ezekiel concerning the new temple, מַהֲלָךְ takes on an architectural and spatial meaning.
* In [[Ezekiel 42:4]], it describes a "way" or "passage" within the temple complex: "And before the chambers was a walk (מַהֲלָךְ) of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit." Here, it denotes a specific physical corridor or walkway, emphasizing its function as a path for movement within a structured space.
* In [[Ezekiel 43:11]], the plural form מַהֲלַכְוֹתֶיהָ (mahălakhoteha) is used in the context of describing the temple's design: "the fashion of the house, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof (מַהֲלַכְוֹתֶיהָ)." This plural refers to the various passages, entrances, and exits of the temple, highlighting the intricate design and the designated pathways for movement within God's sacred dwelling.
These occurrences demonstrate the word's flexibility, able to denote both the abstract concept of a journey and the concrete reality of a physical passage or walkway.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word to מַהֲלָךְ (mahălâk, `{{H4109}}`) is its root verb, הָלַךְ (halak, `{{H1980}}`). This verb is one of the most frequently used in the Hebrew Bible, conveying the fundamental act of "walking," "going," or "coming." Its pervasive use in both literal and figurative senses (e.g., "walking with God," "walking in His ways") imbues מַהֲלָךְ with an indirect but profound connection to the broader biblical understanding of life as a journey and adherence to divine paths.
Other semantically related words include:
* דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, `{{H1870}}`): "way," "path," "road," often used figuratively for one's conduct or course of life.
* אֹרַח (orakh, `{{H734}}`): "path," "way," similar to *derekh* but sometimes with a nuance of a narrower or less frequently traveled path.
* מַסָּע (massa', `{{H4550}}`): "journey," "departure," often used for the movements of the Israelites in the wilderness.
While these words share the general semantic field of movement and travel, מַהֲלָךְ specifically emphasizes the "walk" or "passage" aspect, often implying a measured distance or a designated route, as seen in its architectural usage in Ezekiel.
### Theological Significance
While מַהֲלָךְ (mahălâk, `{{H4109}}`) itself does not carry overt theological weight in its limited occurrences, its connection to the root הָלַךְ (halak, `{{H1980}}`) provides a subtle yet significant theological resonance. The concept of "walking" in the Bible is deeply theological, often symbolizing one's conduct, obedience, and relationship with God (e.g., "walking with God" in [[Genesis 5:24]], "walking in His statutes" in [[Leviticus 26:3]]). Although מַהֲלָךְ refers to a physical journey or passage, it implicitly participates in this broader biblical metaphor of life as a pilgrimage.
In the context of Ezekiel's temple vision, the "passages" or "walks" (מַהֲלַכְוֹתֶיהָ) underscore the divine order and precision in God's dwelling place. Every dimension and pathway is meticulously defined, symbolizing God's sovereignty, holiness, and the structured access to His presence. The very existence of designated "walks" within the sacred space speaks to the purposeful design of divine interaction and the ordered movement of those who serve or approach the Lord. Thus, even in its descriptive use, מַהֲלָךְ contributes to the understanding of God's meticulous planning and the sacredness of His presence.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַהֲלָךְ (mahălâk, `{{H4109}}`), derived from the verb הָלַךְ (halak, `{{H1980}}`) "to walk," denotes both the act of "walking" or "journeying" and the resulting "passage" or "distance." Its rare occurrences in the Bible illustrate this dual meaning: in [[Nehemiah 2:6]], it refers to the duration or extent of a personal journey, while in [[Ezekiel 42:4]] and [[Ezekiel 43:11]], it describes specific architectural passages or walkways within the temple complex. Though not a primary theological term, מַהֲלָךְ gains indirect theological significance through its root, connecting it to the profound biblical theme of walking with God and living according to His ordered ways, particularly evident in the divinely designed pathways of the visionary temple. It represents a precise, measured movement, whether through time or space, reflecting the orderly nature of creation and divine purpose.
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