### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מִשְׁאָלָה (mishʼâlâh, `{{H4862}}`) is derived from the verbal root שָׁאַל (shaʼal, `{{H7592}}`), which broadly means "to ask," "to inquire," "to beg," or "to request." As a noun, mishʼâlâh signifies the *object* of asking or the *content* of a request. Its primary semantic range encompasses "request," "desire," or "petition." It points to that which is sought or longed for, often with an implication of being granted or fulfilled.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מִשְׁאָלָה (mishʼâlâh, `{{H4862}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the poetic and wisdom literature, with one significant occurrence in a prophetic book.
1. **[[Psalms 20:5]]**: "May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!" Here, mishʼâlâh refers to the "heart's desire" or "petition" of the king, prayed for by the people. The context is one of a communal prayer for divine favor and success in battle, indicating that God is the one who grants such desires.
2. **[[Psalms 37:4]]**: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This verse famously links delight in the Lord with the fulfillment of one's mishʼâlâh, emphasizing that when one's desires align with God's will through a relationship of delight, God is pleased to grant them.
3. **[[Psalms 145:16]]**: "You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing." In this context, mishʼâlâh refers to the fundamental "desire" or "need" of all living creatures, which God, in His universal beneficence, satisfies. This speaks to God's providential care for all creation.
4. **[[Proverbs 10:24]]**: "What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted." This proverb contrasts the fate of the wicked with that of the righteous. The mishʼâlâh of the righteous is explicitly stated to be granted, reinforcing the theme of divine favor for those who walk in uprightness.
5. **[[Ezekiel 23:35]]**: "Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, therefore you yourselves must bear the consequences of your lewdness and your whoring." This occurrence presents a unique and stark contrast to the previous uses. While some translations render mishʼâlâh as "recompense" or "consequences" (e.g., KJV "reward," NASB "recompense"), the underlying Hebrew still carries the sense of "that which is desired/asked for." In this punitive context, it implies that the "desire" or "outcome" of Judah's spiritual harlotry is now being granted by divine judgment – a fulfillment that is destructive and just. It is the "reward" or "consequence" that their actions have "asked for" or "brought upon themselves."
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root שָׁאַל (shaʼal, `{{H7592}}`), from which mishʼâlâh is derived. This root signifies the act of asking, inquiring, or petitioning. Other related concepts include:
* תְּפִלָּה (tefillah, `{{H8605}}`): "prayer," a more formal and specific term for a petition directed to God. While mishʼâlâh can be a prayer, tefillah is exclusively so.
* בַּקָּשָׁה (baqqashah, `{{H1246}}`): "request," "petition," "supplication." This term is semantically very close to mishʼâlâh, both referring to a specific plea or desire. Baqqashah often implies a more urgent or formal request.
* The broader theological concept of "answered prayer" or "divine provision," where God responds to human needs and desires.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of mishʼâlâh is multifaceted:
1. **Divine Responsiveness and Benevolence**: The repeated use of mishʼâlâh in the Psalms and Proverbs highlights God's character as a responsive and benevolent Father who hears and grants the "desires" of His faithful children. It underscores the intimacy and relational aspect of the covenant, where God is attentive to the innermost longings of the righteous. This is not a guarantee of every whim, but of desires aligned with His will and character.
2. **The Nature of Righteous Desire**: The granting of mishʼâlâh is often qualified by the character of the petitioner, particularly in [[Proverbs 10:24]] and [[Psalms 37:4]]. This implies that truly "delighting in the Lord" shapes one's desires to be in harmony with God's purposes, making their fulfillment a natural outcome of a righteous life. It teaches that God does not simply grant any desire, but those that spring from a heart devoted to Him.
3. **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**: The usage in [[Ezekiel 23:35]] provides a crucial counterpoint. Here, mishʼâlâh takes on a punitive sense, referring to the inevitable "consequences" or "recompense" for unfaithfulness. This demonstrates that God's "fulfillment" of desires is not always a blessing but can also be a just judgment, where the outcome of one's wicked choices is delivered by divine decree. It illustrates God's sovereignty over both blessing and judgment, ensuring that all "desires"—whether good or evil—ultimately find their just fulfillment in His plan.
### Summary
מִשְׁאָלָה (mishʼâlâh, `{{H4862}}`) denotes a "request," "desire," or "petition," derived from the Hebrew verb "to ask" (`{{H7592}}`). Primarily found in the Psalms and Proverbs, it frequently describes the righteous desires of the heart that God, in His benevolence, is pleased to grant (e.g., [[Psalms 37:4]], [[Proverbs 10:24]]). This usage underscores God's intimate responsiveness to His faithful people and the importance of desires aligned with His will. However, its unique occurrence in [[Ezekiel 23:35]] reveals a broader theological scope, where mishʼâlâh can also signify the just recompense or fulfillment of a wicked desire, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty and justice over all human longings and their consequences. Thus, mishʼâlâh encapsulates both divine favor and divine judgment in the fulfillment of human petitions.
TRV