MĀʾĒL. - Term used 39 times in the Bible, with the original meaning of "comparison" (cf. Assyrian and other Semitic languages: D. Buzy [v. bibl.], p. 60 ff.). It expresses every literary form more or less explicitly founded on comparison with the data of nature.

Thus each prophecy of Balaam is a m. (Num. 23:7, 18; 24:3, 15), in a style rich with varied and picturesque images. The brief sapiential sentences are mēdālim: they teach moral doctrines and precepts for life, with comparisons and images drawn from nature and experience (1 Kings 4:32 ff.; v. PROVERBS); and so too are the more developed didactic compositions (Job 27:1; 29:1; Ps. 48 [49]:5; 77 [78]:2). A popular saying is also called a m. (1 Sam. 24:14); an apologue, a witty saying (synonymous with hīdhāh; cf. Ezek. 17:2); a satirical saying (Isa. 14:4; Ezek. 13:22 ff.; 16:44; 18:2 ff.). Finally, m. is identified with "fable" in the pejorative sense (Ezek. 21:5; hence "to become a byword," Ezek. 14:8; Ps. 44 [45]:15; 2 Chron. 7:20; 1 Kings 9:7; Deut. 28:37).

W. Gesenius considers the original meaning of m. to be "proverb, short popular saying," from its broader application; hence "sentence," from the profound sense, from the hidden allusions, which calls for reflection. Such a sense would explain the ancient usage (m. = oracle) and would have support in the Arabic amṭāl.

Bibliography9 works

BIBL.: M.-J. Lagrange, La parabole en dehors de l'Évangile, in Revue biblique, 17 (1908), pp. 198-212, 342-67; D. Buzy, Introduction aux paraboles évangéliques (Études bibliques), Parigi 1912, pp. 52-112; id., Les maschals numériques de la sangane et de l'almah. Prov. 30, 15 sg., 18 sgg., in Revue biblique, 42 (1933), pp. 5-13; O. Eissfeldt, Der Maschal im Alt. Test. (Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 24), Giessen 1913; E. König, Parable in Old Test., in Dict. of the Bible, III, col. 660 sgg.; A. Clamet, Les Nombres (La Ste Bible, 2), Parigi 1940, p. 389 sg.; H. Renaud, Le livre des Proverbes (ibid., 6), ivi 1946, pp. 27 sg., 44; M. Hermanuk, La parabole évangélique, Bruges-Parigi 1947, pp. 62-189; J. Pirot, Le « m. » dans l'Ancien Testament, in Recherches de science religieuse, 37 (1950), pp. 365-80.

Francesco Spadafora

@incollection{ec8_masal, author = {Spadafora, Francesco}, title = {MĂŠĂL}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {VIII}, pages = {272}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1952}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/masal} }

One of some 20,000 entries brought back from the twelve printed volumes (1948–54). Spotted something? Help us improve it.

Māʾēl

About this entry