English · KJV
H4359

מִכְלָל

miklâl /mik-lawl'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom כָּלַל
Meaningperfection (of beauty)
KJV usageperfection.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of miklâl — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word miklâl, represented by H4359, means perfection or perfection (of beauty). This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular appearance ties its meaning directly to a specific theological statement.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its sole biblical use, H4359 describes the nature of Zion. Psalms 50:2 states, "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." Here, the word is not used in isolation but defines the quality of beauty associated with Zion, establishing it as the location from which God reveals His shining presence.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its context help illuminate the meaning of H4359:

  • H6726 Tsîyôwn (Zion): The term is used to describe Tsîyôwn, a mountain of Jerusalem, which is identified as the location of this "perfection" Psalms 50:2. It is elsewhere presented as a place of sure foundation Isaiah 28:16.
  • H3308 yŏphîy (beauty): This word for beauty is directly qualified by H4359 to form the phrase "perfection of beauty," highlighting an ultimate or complete form of beauty Psalms 50:2.
  • H3313 yâphaʻ (to shine): This word describes the action that emanates from the place of perfection. God "hath shined" from Zion, linking H4359 to a manifestation of divine glory Psalms 50:2.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4359 is concentrated in its single appearance:

  • The Seat of Divine Beauty: The word establishes Zion H6726 as the very source of perfect beauty H3308, from which God's presence is revealed Psalms 50:2.
  • Manifestation of God's Glory: The concept of "perfection" is not abstract but is the point of origin for God H430 to shine forth H3313, connecting divine perfection with divine revelation.
  • A Singular Standard: By appearing only once in this context, H4359 presents a unique and unparalleled description of Zion as the complete and ultimate expression of beauty from which God's glory emanates.

Summary

In summary, H4359 miklâl is a highly specific term for perfection. Its entire biblical meaning is encapsulated in Psalms 50:2, where it elevates Zion H6726 to be the "perfection of beauty." It is not merely a place, but the source from which the glory of God H430 shines forth, making this word a crucial element in understanding the theological significance of Zion.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מִכְלַל

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H6726 צִיּוֹן the same (regularly) as צִיּוּןlemma צִיוּן missing dagesh, corrected to צִיּוּן; Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mou H3308 יֳפִי from יָפָה; beauty; beauty. H3313 יָפַע a primitive root; to shine; be light, shew self, (cause to) shine (forth). H430 אֱלֹהִים plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article)

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Psalms — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.