The Hebrew word maʻal, represented by H4604, denotes treachery, transgression, or trespass. It is derived from the root H4603 and appears 29 times in 29 unique verses. The term carries the strong connotation of a breach of trust or a covert, treacherous act, often committed against God or the covenant community. It can also be translated as falsehood or used idiomatically to mean grievously or sore.
The term H4604 often points to a violation that is not merely an error, but a deliberate act of unfaithfulness, implying a conscious disregard for established boundaries or sacred trusts. This deliberate nature is critical, distinguishing H4604 from less intentional forms of sin. It can manifest as a deceptive act, as seen in Job's lament about "falsehood" remaining in his comforters' answers Job 21:34, suggesting a profound betrayal of truth and expectation. This underlying sense of deliberate and often hidden infraction underscores its gravity, particularly when directed against divine ordinances or consecrated items.
In biblical narratives, H4604 is used to describe specific, consequential acts of unfaithfulness. It is famously used for the sin of Achan, who "committed a trespass" by taking the accursed thing, which kindled the Lord's anger against all of Israel Joshua 7:1. The term also defines the fatal error of King Saul, who "died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD" by disobeying His word 1 Chronicles 10:13. The concept extends to national unfaithfulness, as seen when the people were carried away to Babylon for their transgression 1 Chronicles 9:1 and when leaders were "chief in this trespass" of intermarrying with foreign peoples Ezra 9:2. It even describes unfaithfulness in marriage, where a wife commits a trespass against her husband Numbers 5:12.
Beyond individual and communal breaches, H4604 frequently describes the pervasive unfaithfulness that leads to severe divine judgment, often impacting the land itself. Ezekiel describes a land that "sinneth against me by trespassing grievously," resulting in famine and desolation Ezekiel 14:13, further stating, "I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass" Ezekiel 15:8. This concept extends to the actions of kings and priests, where King Ahaz's reign was characterized by him having "transgressed sore against the LORD" 2 Chronicles 28:19, and the chief priests and people "transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen" 2 Chronicles 36:14, polluting the house of the Lord. Such acts of H4604 are presented as direct provocations to God, leading to his judgment, including exile, as seen in the promise to "plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me" Ezekiel 17:20.
Several related words help clarify the meaning of H4604 by providing context for the act and its consequences:
- H4603 mâʻal: This is the primitive root from which H4604 is derived. It means "to act covertly, i.e. treacherously" and is the verb form that describes the act of committing a trespass, as seen in the phrase "in his trespass that he hath trespassed" Ezekiel 18:24.
- H2403 chaṭṭâʼâh: This word for sin or an offence is frequently paired with H4604. It highlights that a trespass is a specific category of sin, as when a righteous man turns away and commits iniquity, he dies in his trespass and his sin Ezekiel 18:24.
- H7110 qetseph: This term for wrath or indignation describes the divine reaction to a trespass. Achan's trespass H4604 in the accursed thing resulted in wrath H7110 falling upon the entire congregation of Israel Joshua 22:20.
- H817 ʼâshâm: This word for guilt or a trespass offering is the prescribed remedy for certain trespasses. When a person sins through ignorance and commits a trespass H4604, they are required to bring a trespass offering H817 to the LORD Leviticus 5:15.
- H4598 mᵉʻîyl (cloak/robe): This noun, meaning a robe or cloak, is derived from the same root H4603 as H4604, specifically in the sense of "covering." This etymological link subtly highlights the "covert" nature often associated with H4604, where a transgression might be hidden or concealed, just as a garment covers the body.
The theological weight of H4604 is centered on the violation of a covenant relationship.
- Breach of Covenant: A trespass is often defined as an act directly against God. In Leviticus 6:2, lying or theft is framed as committing a trespass against the LORD. The tribes east of the Jordan are challenged about their altar, being asked, "What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel?" Joshua 22:16.
- Corporate Consequences: The trespass of a single individual can bring judgment upon the entire community. Achan's sin led to defeat for Israel's army and divine wrath on the congregation (Joshua 7:1, Joshua 22:20). Similarly, the trespass at Peor resulted in a plague H4046 among the congregation Numbers 31:16.
- Individual Accountability: While a trespass can have corporate effects, the ultimate responsibility lies with the one who commits it. When a righteous man turns to commit a trespass H4604, his previous righteousness is not mentioned, and he will die for his sin Ezekiel 18:24. This underscores the gravity of betraying one's commitment to God.
- Cause for Exile and Shame: The trespasses of the people are cited as the direct cause for their exile to Babylon and the resulting "confusion of faces" (1 Chronicles 9:1, Daniel 9:7).
- Violation of Sacred Space and Things: H4604 frequently denotes a defilement or misuse of that which is consecrated to God, extending beyond abstract covenant breach to tangible sacrilege. This is explicitly seen in the requirement for a trespass offering when one "commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD" Leviticus 5:15. King Ahaz's actions in discarding holy vessels are also categorized as his "transgression" 2 Chronicles 29:19, and the priests and people are condemned for having "polluted the house of the LORD" through their transgressions 2 Chronicles 36:14. This highlights H4604 as a direct assault on the sanctity of God's presence and provisions.
The term H4604 maʻal signifies a profound act of treachery and unfaithfulness, extending beyond a simple error to a deliberate and often covert violation of sacred trust. It encapsulates a breach of established covenant relationships, whether between God and His people, within the community, or even within the family unit. This intentional disregard for divine or communal boundaries is not merely an abstract offense but a grievous act that demands attention.
Biblical narratives illustrate H4604 as the root cause of severe consequences, from individual peril, as seen in Achan's trespass leading to wrath upon Israel Joshua 7:1, to national catastrophes like exile to Babylon 1 Chronicles 9:1. It defines unfaithfulness in leadership, causing kings to "transgress sore" 2 Chronicles 28:19, and extends to the defilement of consecrated entities, marking a direct violation of sacred space and "holy things of the LORD" Leviticus 5:15. The semantic range of H4604, reinforced by its root H4603 and even the related H4598 (cloak/covering), emphasizes the often hidden or deceptive nature of such transgressions.
Ultimately, H4604 underscores the profound seriousness with which the Old Testament regards covenant fidelity. It is a term that links unfaithfulness to divine judgment, corporate suffering, and individual accountability, portraying acts of H4604 as fundamental betrayals of the relationship with God and His people, leading to shame and desolation unless confessed and atoned for.
TRV