from מָלַט,; cement (from its plastic smoothness); clay.
Transliteration:meleṭ
Pronunciation:meh'-let
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word meleṭ (`{{H4423}}`) is a noun derived from the verb mālaṭ (`{{H4422}}`), which primarily signifies "to escape," "to slip away," or "to deliver." This etymological connection suggests a material characterized by its smooth, pliable, or "slippery" consistency when wet, facilitating its application and bonding properties. The base definition of meleṭ indicates "cement" or "clay," specifically emphasizing its "plastic smoothness." This points to a binding agent used in construction, valued for its malleability before hardening and its ability to create a strong, sealed bond. Its semantic range is narrow, focusing on a specific type of building material, particularly one that is processed or refined.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word meleṭ (`{{H4423}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in the foundational narrative of the Tower of Babel.
* [[Genesis 11:3]]: "And they said, each to his neighbor, 'Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.' And they had brick for stone, and meleṭ (cement/bitumen) for mortar."
In this singular occurrence, meleṭ is presented as the binding agent used in conjunction with "bricks" (לְבֵנִים, lĕbēnîm). The verse explicitly contrasts these man-made materials with natural "stone" (אֶבֶן, ʾeben) and traditional "mortar" (חֹמֶר, ḥōmer), which was typically made from mud or clay. The Septuagint translates meleṭ in this verse as "ἄσφαλτος" (asphaltos), which refers to asphalt or bitumen. This aligns with archaeological evidence from ancient Mesopotamia, where bitumen was a common and effective binding agent for brick construction, known for its waterproof and adhesive qualities. The choice of thoroughly burnt bricks and bitumen (meleṭ) signifies a sophisticated and durable construction method, highlighting the ambitious and self-reliant nature of the builders of Babel.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **mālaṭ (`{{H4422}}`):** The root verb, "to escape" or "to slip away." The connection to meleṭ (`{{H4423}}`) likely pertains to the material's smooth, pliable nature when applied, or its capacity to "seal" and "bind" effectively, allowing for a smooth finish or a secure bond.
* **ḥōmer (`{{H2563}}`):** This term often translates to "clay," "mud," or "mortar." In [[Genesis 11:3]], it is stated that "bitumen/tar was for them as meleṭ" (וְהַחֵמָר הָיָה לָהֶם לַמֶּלֶט). This suggests that the raw material, ḥōmer (here understood as bitumen/tar), functioned as meleṭ (the refined cement/mortar). This distinction emphasizes the specific, perhaps more advanced or specialized, nature of meleṭ as a binding agent compared to simple mud mortar.
* **ṭîṭ (`{{H2916}}`):** Another Hebrew term for "mud," "mire," or "clay," often carrying connotations of stickiness or impurity.
* **Bricks (לְבֵנִים, lĕbēnîm):** The primary building blocks used with meleṭ in [[Genesis 11:3]]. The burning of these bricks (śāraṭ, `{{H8292}}`) indicates a deliberate and advanced manufacturing process, further emphasizing the human ingenuity involved in the Babel project.
* **Bitumen/Asphalt:** As suggested by the Septuagint and historical context, this natural tar-like substance was widely used in ancient Near Eastern architecture as a strong, waterproof mortar, aligning perfectly with the properties implied by meleṭ.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of meleṭ (`{{H4423}}`) in the Tower of Babel narrative carries profound theological weight. Its use underscores the human effort, ingenuity, and collective ambition in a project directly antithetical to God's command for humanity to fill the earth ([[Genesis 9:1]]). The deliberate choice of man-made "bricks" and refined "meleṭ" (cement/bitumen) over natural "stone" and simpler "mortar" symbolizes human self-sufficiency and technological advancement directed towards a rebellious purpose. This construction method represents a departure from reliance on God-given natural resources and methods, opting instead for manufactured materials to build a monument to human unity and fame, explicitly to prevent being "scattered" ([[Genesis 11:4]]).
Ironically, the very material, meleṭ, a strong binding agent designed to create an unbreakable structure, highlights the human desire for an artificial, permanent unity and a secure dwelling place, directly contrasting with God's sovereign plan for humanity's dispersion and reliance on His divine order. In this context, meleṭ becomes a subtle yet powerful symbol of human pride and collective rebellion, a material used to construct a monument that ultimately leads to divine judgment and the very scattering they sought to avoid. It serves as a stark reminder of human ingenuity applied to a flawed, self-serving purpose that ultimately falls short of God's will.
### Summary
The Hebrew word meleṭ (`{{H4423}}`), derived from mālaṭ (`{{H4422}}`), signifies a smooth, pliable material used as "cement" or "clay," likely bitumen or tar. Its unique appearance in [[Genesis 11:3]] is central to the narrative of the Tower of Babel. There, meleṭ functions as the binding agent for man-made bricks, contrasting sharply with natural stone and traditional mortar. This choice of sophisticated, artificial materials underscores humanity's self-reliance, technological prowess, and collective ambition in a project designed to establish a unified, permanent dwelling in defiance of God's command to scatter. The strong, adhesive nature of meleṭ symbolically reflects the human desire for an enduring, self-made security and unity, which ultimately leads to divine intervention and the very dispersion the builders sought to prevent. Thus, meleṭ stands as a potent, albeit subtle, biblical symbol of human pride and ingenuity misdirected against divine will.
TRV