### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **minʻâl**, represented by `{{H4515}}`, is a term for a **shoe** or **bolt**. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible. Its sole usage presents a powerful image of strength and endurance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H4515}}` is in a blessing given in [[Deuteronomy 33:25]]: "Thy **shoes**{H4515} shall be iron{H1270} and brass{H5178}; and as thy days, so shall thy strength{H1679} be." In this context, the word signifies more than simple footwear; it symbolizes divine provision for a long and arduous journey, promising protection and unyielding durability for the path ahead.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its only context illuminate its meaning:
* `{{H1270}}` **barzel** (iron): Defined as "iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement". In scripture, it often represents unyielding strength, such as when describing an "iron pillar" [[Jeremiah 1:18]] or an "iron furnace" [[Jeremiah 11:4]].
* `{{H5178}}` **nᵉchôsheth** (brass): Meaning "copper, hence, something made of that metal... brasen, brass". This material is also used to symbolize fortitude, such as the "brasen walls" promised to Jeremiah [[Jeremiah 1:18]].
* `{{H1679}}` **dôbeʼ** (strength): Defined as "quiet; strength". This word is used in parallel with the image of the shoes, linking the physical symbol of endurance to the promise of corresponding inner strength [[Deuteronomy 33:25]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4515}}` is tied directly to its unique appearance.
* **Symbol of Divine Equipping:** The materials of the **shoes**{H4515}, iron and brass, represent extraordinary durability. This imagery suggests that God equips His people with supernatural protection and readiness for challenges, a theme reinforced by promises of "brasen walls" [[Jeremiah 1:18]].
* **Endurance for the Journey:** Footwear is for travel. Shoes of iron and brass imply a long or difficult path. The use of `{{H4515}}` here is a metaphor for the resilient foundation God provides, ensuring His people can withstand the trials of their journey.
* **A Promise of Proportional Strength:** The verse structure in [[Deuteronomy 33:25]] explicitly connects the enduring **shoes**{H4515} to the promise that strength `{{H1679}}` will be supplied according to one's days. The indestructible footwear is a tangible picture of an inexhaustible divine provision that will not fail over time.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H4515}}` **minʻâl** is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its single appearance is rich with theological meaning. It transforms the mundane object of a **shoe** into a powerful symbol of God-given endurance, protection, and strength. Its context in [[Deuteronomy 33:25]], paired with materials like iron `{{H1270}}` and brass `{{H5178}}`, provides a lasting image of God’s promise to faithfully equip His people for whatever lies ahead.
TRV