### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **manʻûwl**, represented by `{{H4514}}`, is the specific term for a **bolt; lock**. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from a root meaning to lock, this word consistently refers to the physical mechanism used to secure doors and gates, highlighting its role in security and construction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical usage, `{{H4514}}` appears predominantly in a practical, architectural context. During the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, the installation of locks is a critical, repeated step in restoring the city's gates. The phrase "set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof" is a recurring formula, emphasizing that a gate was not considered complete or secure without this component ([[Nehemiah 3:3]], [[Nehemiah 3:6]], [[Nehemiah 3:13]], [[Nehemiah 3:14]], [[Nehemiah 3:15]]). The word also appears in a poetic sense in the Song of Solomon, where the lock is part of an intimate scene at a door [[Song of Solomon 5:5]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the context of security and access where `{{H4514}}` is found:
* `{{H1280}}` **bᵉrîyach** (a bolt; bar, fugitive): This term for a bar is used in direct parallel with `{{H4514}}` in every one of its appearances in Nehemiah, together forming the complete security mechanism for a gate [[Nehemiah 3:3]].
* `{{H1817}}` **deleth** (something swinging, i.e. the valve of a door; door (two-leaved), gate, leaf, lid.): This is the door or gate leaf upon which the lock `{{H4514}}` is installed. The two are mentioned together to describe the full gate assembly [[Nehemiah 3:15]].
* `{{H3709}}` **kaph** (the hollow hand or palm... handle of a bolt): This word is explicitly used for the "handles of the lock" in a poignant moment, connecting the physical act of touch with the mechanism of the lock itself [[Song of Solomon 5:5]].
* `{{H5975}}` **ʻâmad** (to stand... set up): This verb is used to describe the action of installing the security hardware of the gates, including the doors, locks, and bars, signifying the establishment of a fixed and firm defense [[Nehemiah 3:6]].
### Theological Significance
While a simple term, the usage of `{{H4514}}` carries thematic weight in its few occurrences.
* **Restoration and Security:** In Nehemiah, the installation of locks is a key signifier of the restoration of order, safety, and national integrity. A gate with its lock is a symbol of a secure community under God's protection [[Nehemiah 3:13]].
* **Completeness of Work:** The specific mention of "the locks thereof" alongside doors and bars indicates that security is found in the details. A project of restoration is not finished until these final, crucial elements are put in place [[Nehemiah 3:6]].
* **Barrier to Intimacy:** In its most figurative use, the lock represents a barrier that must be opened to allow for union with a beloved. The act of touching the "handles of the lock" signifies the desire to overcome separation and grant access [[Song of Solomon 5:5]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4514}}` is a precise term for a lock or bolt that, while rare, plays a significant role in its contexts. Primarily used to describe the literal work of fortifying Jerusalem's gates, it underscores the biblical value placed on security and the completion of a restorative task. Its single poetic use transforms it from a simple object into a powerful symbol of a relational barrier, illustrating how the most concrete words can convey deep, personal meaning.
TRV