### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H4607 (מֹעַל, *môʻal*) is derived from the verbal root `{{H5927}}` (עָלָה, *ʻālāh*), which fundamentally means "to go up," "to ascend," or "to arise." From this foundational sense of upward movement, H4607 takes on the specific meaning of "a raising" or "a lifting up." The base definition further specifies "a raising (of the hands)," indicating a particular application of this general concept of elevation. Thus, its semantic range is quite focused, primarily denoting the physical act of lifting or elevating, especially in a context implying human action with the hands.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4607 (מֹעַל, *môʻal*) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its sole occurrence particularly significant for understanding its nuance.
* **[[Psalm 141:2]]**: "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
* In this poetic parallelism, the psalmist expresses a desire for his personal prayer to be accepted by God in the same manner as the prescribed liturgical acts of the temple. The phrase "the lifting up of my hands" (מֹעַל יָדַי, *môʻal yāday*) stands in parallel with "my prayer," and it is likened to the "evening sacrifice" (מִנְחַת-עָרֶב, *minḥat-ʻārev*).
* The "lifting up of hands" here is clearly a physical posture associated with prayer, supplication, and worship. It signifies an act of devotion, an offering of oneself or one's petition to God. By comparing it to the evening sacrifice, the psalmist elevates this personal, physical gesture to the level of a formal, consecrated offering, suggesting its spiritual efficacy and divine acceptance. This single usage underscores the reverent and intentional nature of this specific physical action in the context of approaching the divine.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for H4607 is its root, `{{H5927}}` (עָלָה, *ʻālāh*), "to go up, ascend." This root is prolific in Hebrew and gives rise to numerous related terms, including:
* `{{H5930}}` (עֹלָה, *ʻōlāh*): A "burnt offering," literally "that which goes up" (in smoke to God), highlighting the concept of elevation and offering.
* `{{H5932}}` (עֲלִיָּה, *ʻalîyāh*): "An upper room" or "ascent."
* Other verbs and nouns associated with lifting or raising, though not directly from the same root, often convey similar actions in a worship context:
* `{{H5375}}` (נָשָׂא, *nāśāʼ*): "To lift, carry," frequently used for lifting hands in blessing, prayer, or oath-taking (e.g., [[Psalm 28:2]], [[Psalm 63:4]]).
* `{{H7311}}` (רוּם, *rûm*): "To be high, exalted," also used for lifting hands in praise or prayer (e.g., [[Psalm 134:2]]).
The concept of "lifting up hands" is a common biblical gesture for prayer, blessing, surrender, and praise, found across various contexts and often associated with seeking divine favor or expressing devotion.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the theological weight of H4607 in [[Psalm 141:2]] is profound.
1. **Physicality in Worship**: The word highlights the role of the body in spiritual devotion. The "lifting up of hands" is not merely a symbolic gesture but a tangible, physical expression of an inner spiritual posture of prayer, surrender, or yearning for God. It suggests that worship is not solely an intellectual or emotional exercise but involves the whole person.
2. **Personal Prayer as Sacrifice**: By equating the lifting of hands in prayer with the "evening sacrifice," the psalmist elevates personal, informal devotion to the status of a formal, consecrated offering. This implies that sincere prayer, offered with a pure heart and dedicated spirit, is as acceptable and pleasing to God as the prescribed ritual sacrifices. It underscores the accessibility of God through personal communion.
3. **Holiness and Acceptance**: The comparison to incense (which created a pleasing aroma to God) and sacrifice (which atoned or expressed devotion) indicates that the act of "lifting up hands" in prayer is seen as holy, acceptable, and effective in reaching God's presence.
4. **Continuity of Devotion**: The reference to the "evening sacrifice" connects personal piety to the established rhythms of communal worship, suggesting a continuity between individual spiritual practice and the broader covenantal life of Israel.
### Summary
H4607 (מֹעַל, *môʻal*), derived from the root `{{H5927}}` "to ascend," signifies "a raising" or "a lifting up," specifically of the hands. Its sole appearance in [[Psalm 141:2]] is highly illustrative, where the "lifting up of my hands" is presented as an act of prayer and worship, parallel to incense and equated with the evening sacrifice. This unique usage profoundly emphasizes the physical posture of raised hands as a sincere and acceptable offering to God, underscoring the deep connection between outward bodily expression and inward spiritual devotion. It highlights that personal prayer, offered with dedication, holds the same value and acceptance before God as the most sacred of liturgical rites.
TRV