### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Mishʼâl**, represented by `{{H4861}}`, is the name of a place in Palestine. Based on a root word meaning "request," it appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible. Its biblical usage is exclusively as a proper noun for a town, spelled as both Misheal and Mishal.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two appearances of `{{H4861}}` occur in the book of Joshua during the allotment of the Promised Land. First, it is listed as **Misheal**, a town on the border of the territory assigned to the tribe of Asher. This boundary "reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath" [[Joshua 19:26]]. Later, the same location, now spelled **Mishal**, is identified as one of the cities given by the tribe of Asher to the Levites, specifically designated "with her suburbs" [[Joshua 21:30]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help establish the context of Mishal's location and purpose:
* `{{H836}}` **ʼÂshêr** (happy): This is the tribe from whose territory Mishal was given [[Joshua 21:30]]. The name represents one of Jacob's sons and the tribe descended from him.
* `{{H4294}}` **maṭṭeh** (tribe): This word, also meaning a rod or staff, is used to designate the "tribe of Asher" as the source of the land for Mishal [[Joshua 21:30]].
* `{{H4054}}` **migrâsh** (suburb): This term describes the open lands surrounding the city that were included in the allotment to the Levites, indicating that they were given the city and its associated pastures [[Joshua 21:30]].
* `{{H3760}}` **Karmel** (fruitful field): A significant landmark used to define the western reach of Asher's border, in which Mishal was located [[Joshua 19:26]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H4861}}` is rooted in its role within the narrative of Israel's settlement.
* **Tribal Inheritance:** Mishal is a key geographical marker that helps define the borders of the land promised to the tribe of **Asher** [[Joshua 19:26]]. Its inclusion in the list solidifies the boundaries of the tribal allotment.
* **Provision for the Levites:** As a Levitical city, Mishal represents the fulfillment of God's command to provide for the priestly tribe, which was not given a tribal land inheritance of its own but was instead given cities within the other tribes' territories [[Joshua 21:30]].
* **Geographical Anchor:** By being located on a border that "reacheth" `{{H6293}}` a major landmark like **Carmel** `{{H3760}}`, Mishal helps ground the biblical account of the conquest and settlement in a specific, identifiable geography.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4861}}` is a specific place name, Mishal or Misheal, with a focused but important role in Scripture. It appears exclusively in the context of the division of Canaan, serving as both a border town for the tribe of Asher and as a designated city for the Levites. Though mentioned only twice, it functions as a critical detail in the historical and geographical record of Israel's inheritance of the land.
TRV