5244. nemalah

Strong's Lexicon

nemalah: Ant

Original Word: נְמָלָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: nmalah
Pronunciation: neh-mah-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (nem-aw-law')
Definition: Ant
Meaning: an ant

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to creep or swarm

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for "nemalah" in the Strong's Greek Dictionary, as the concept of the ant as a symbol of diligence is primarily found in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Usage: The Hebrew word "nemalah" refers to the small, industrious insect known as the ant. In the Bible, the ant is used as a symbol of diligence, wisdom, and foresight. The ant's behavior is highlighted as an example for humans to emulate, particularly in the context of hard work and preparation.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, ants were observed for their industrious nature and ability to work collectively. They were often seen as a model of efficiency and cooperation. The biblical writers used the ant as a metaphor to teach moral and ethical lessons, emphasizing the importance of hard work and planning for the future.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
an ant
NASB Translation
ant (1), ants (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

נְמָלָה noun feminine of individual meaning (Lag^{BN 81}) ant (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic (noun of individual meaning of ); Syriac ); — absolute ׳נ Proverbs 6:8; plural הַנְּמָלִים Proverbs 30:25.

נמר (√ of following, meaning dubious; possibly compare Assyrian namâru, shine, gleam (from glossy coat of panther and leopard), [see Arabic pardus, and limpidus, purus (of water; compare below נמרים)] so Hom^{NS 294 f.}; ag. this Nö^{ZMG xl (1886), 736} Schw^{Idioticon 121}; נָמֵר is comm. Sem.: Assyrian nimru Dl^{HWB 468}; Arabic , Lane²⁸⁵³; Ethiopic Syriac , ᵑ7 נִמְרָא; Late Hebrew נָמֵר).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

ant

Feminine from namal; an ant (probably from its almost bisected form) -- ant.

see HEBREW namal

Forms and Transliterations

הַ֭נְּמָלִים הנמלים נְמָלָ֥ה נמלה han·nə·mā·lîm Hannemalim hannəmālîm nə·mā·lāh nemaLah nəmālāh

Englishman's Concordance

Proverbs 6:6
HEB: נְמָלָ֥ה עָצֵ֑ל רְאֵ֖ה
NAS: Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe
KJV: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider
INT: the ant sluggard Observe

Proverbs 30:25
HEB: הַ֭נְּמָלִים עַ֣ם לֹא־
NAS: The ants are not a strong people,
KJV: The ants [are] a people not strong,
INT: the ants people are not

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5244
2 Occurrences

han·nə·mā·lîm — 1 Occ.
nə·mā·lāh — 1 Occ.