Word Study for H4514 (מַנְעוּל)

Rootor מַנְעֻל · from נָעַל

Meaninga bolt

KJV usagelock.

In depth

Word Study

A plain-language study of manʻûwl — 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 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, manʻûwl 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 manʻûwl is found:

H1280 bᵉrîyach (a bolt; bar, fugitive): This term for a bar is used in direct parallel with manʻûwl 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 manʻûwl 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 manʻûwl 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, manʻûwl 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.

Translation

How the KJV Renders It

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Morphology

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 7 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — 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. The King James text tags 6 English words with this number, so the two totals can differ a little.

מַנְעֻלָיו
מַּנְעוּל

Context

Theographic 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.

Distribution

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 6 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Nehemiah (5 verses); never once in the other 37.

Nehemiah

Song of Solomon

Concordance

Every Occurrence

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.