from נָפַל; a falling off, i.e. chaff; also something pendulous, i.e. a flap; flake, refuse.
Transliteration:mappâl
Pronunciation:map-pawl'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מַפָּל (mappâl, `{{H4651}}`) is a noun derived from the root נָפַל (naphal, `{{H5307}}`), which fundamentally means "to fall, cast down, fail." This etymological connection is crucial, as מַפָּל inherently carries the sense of "that which falls" or "a falling off."
Its semantic range encompasses:
1. **Chaff:** The most prominent meaning, referring to the light, worthless husks separated from grain during winnowing. This imagery is deeply rooted in agricultural practices and often serves as a metaphor for the discarded or valueless.
2. **Something Pendulous/Flap:** This denotes a more literal physical characteristic – something that hangs down loosely, like a flap.
3. **Flake/Refuse:** Broader terms for discarded or insubstantial material, emphasizing a lack of substance or permanence.
At its core, מַפָּפָּל signifies material that is separated, discarded, and often lacking in inherent value or stability, though its application in Job introduces a nuance of physical structure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַפָּל (`{{H4651}}`) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance illuminating a distinct facet of its meaning:
1. **Isaiah 17:13:** "Woe to the multitude of many peoples who rage like the raging of the seas, and to the roaring of nations who roar like the roaring of mighty waters! The nations roar like the roaring of many waters, but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, chased like **chaff** of the mountains before the wind, and like whirling dust before the storm."
* Here, מַפָּל is translated as "chaff." In this prophetic oracle against Damascus and Ephraim, the powerful, raging nations are likened to worthless chaff. This imagery powerfully conveys the swiftness, ease, and completeness of God's judgment. Just as the wind effortlessly scatters the light, insubstantial chaff, so too will the Lord disperse the rebellious nations. The "chaff of the mountains" might suggest the large quantity of such material or chaff blown from high places. The context is one of divine rebuke and ultimate dispersal, emphasizing the utter insignificance and vulnerability of those who oppose God's will.
2. **Job 41:23 (Hebrew 41:15):** "The **flakes** of his flesh are joined together; they are firm upon him and cannot be moved."
* In this vivid description of Leviathan, מַפָּל is rendered as "flakes" (of flesh or scales). This usage diverges from the "chaff" metaphor, pointing instead to the physical structure of the creature. It describes the tightly knit, impenetrable layers or folds of Leviathan's skin, emphasizing its immense strength and invulnerability. While still retaining the sense of "something that falls" or "hangs" (as in a fold or flap), the context here transforms it from a symbol of weakness to one of formidable, unyielding power, demonstrating the breadth of the word's semantic range to describe physical characteristics.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of מַפָּל (`{{H4651}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to its root and other associated terms and concepts:
* **נָפַל (naphal, `{{H5307}}`):** The direct root, meaning "to fall, cast down, fail." This connection underscores the passive nature of מַפָּל – it is something that *has fallen* or *is caused to fall*. The action of falling is central to its identity.
* **מֹץ (mots, `{{H4167}}`):** Another common Hebrew word for "chaff," frequently used in parallel with מַפָּל or independently to denote worthlessness and the wicked who are destined for destruction (e.g., [[Psalm 1:4]], [[Hosea 13:3]]). While מֹץ is the more prevalent term for "chaff" metaphorically, מַפָּל carries the additional nuance of "that which has fallen off."
* **תֶּבֶן (teben, `{{H8401}}`):** This refers to "straw" or "stubble," often associated with the process of threshing and winnowing, where chaff is separated from the valuable grain.
* **Winnowing:** This agricultural process is a foundational concept. The separation of grain from מַפָּל (chaff) is a pervasive biblical metaphor for divine judgment, purification, and the sifting of the righteous from the wicked.
* **Judgment and Worthlessness:** In its "chaff" sense, מַפָּל is inextricably linked to the concept of divine judgment, where the wicked or the proud are deemed worthless and easily dispersed by God's power.
* **Impenetrability/Strength (Job):** The unique usage in Job 41:23 introduces a contrasting concept, where "flakes" of flesh are not weak but form an unyielding, protective layer, highlighting the formidable power of God's creation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מַפָּל (`{{H4651}}`) is primarily drawn from its metaphorical use as "chaff" in the context of divine judgment, with a secondary, yet profound, implication from its use in Job.
1. **Divine Judgment and Separation:** The most prominent theological theme is God's sovereign judgment. As illustrated in [[Isaiah 17:13]], God is portrayed as the ultimate winnower, separating the substantial from the insubstantial. The nations or individuals who oppose Him, despite their apparent might, are ultimately no more than מַפָּל – easily scattered and destroyed by His breath. This underscores the absolute power and justice of God, who determines what will stand and what will be swept away.
2. **Human Frailty and Insignificance:** In contrast to God's omnipotence, מַפָּל highlights the utter weakness and transience of humanity apart from Him. Those who trust in their own strength or earthly power are likened to מַפָּל, destined to be blown away. This serves as a stark reminder of humanity's dependence on the Creator.
3. **God's Unassailable Creation:** The description of Leviathan in Job 41, where מַפָּל refers to its tightly joined, impenetrable "flakes," offers a unique theological insight. While not directly about humanity or judgment, it speaks to the formidable and unassailable nature of God's creation. If a creature of God's making is so robust, how much more unassailable is God Himself? This usage indirectly points to the Creator's power in forming even the most terrifying and resilient aspects of His world.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַפָּל (mappâl, `{{H4651}}`), derived from the root נָפַל (`{{H5307}}`) meaning "to fall," primarily denotes "a falling off." Its core semantic range includes "chaff," "flake," and "refuse." In its most common biblical application, as seen in [[Isaiah 17:13]], מַפָּל metaphorically represents worthless, insubstantial material, particularly in the context of divine judgment where the wicked or proud nations are swiftly and completely dispersed by God's power, like chaff before the wind. A unique usage in [[Job 41:23]] describes the "flakes" of Leviathan's flesh, emphasizing the creature's impenetrable and formidable physical structure. Theologically, מַפָּל underscores God's absolute sovereignty in judgment, the inherent frailty of humanity apart from Him, and, in the case of Leviathan, the unassailable power evident in His creation. It is a word that speaks to both vulnerability and, paradoxically, the strength of divine design.
TRV