ma.al denotes a breach of fidelity, chiefly against the LORD, and also in marriage or unreliable speech.

The noun most often names a breach of fidelity directed against the LORD, including acts involving sacred things, rebellion, and conduct that brings guilt or judgment. The same term is also applied to a wife's breach against her husband and, in one verse, to the character of spoken answers.

1. Breach of fidelity against the LORD · dominant

   Across both absolute and construct noun forms, the term identifies conduct against the LORD: in Joshua 7:1 it concerns taking from the devoted thing, while in Leviticus 5:15 the APB renders the clause as a "breach of trust" involving holy things. In Ezekiel 14:13 the land commits it against God and is followed by famine, and in Daniel 9:7 exile is linked to the breach by which the people acted against him.

   Joshua 7:1Leviticus 5:15Numbers 5:6Joshua 22:16Ezekiel 14:13Daniel 9:7
2. Breach of marital fidelity · rare

   In Numbers 5:12 the absolute noun occurs in the case of a wife who turns aside from her husband; Numbers 5:27 again places the act against her husband and describes the resulting curse. The APB presents these clauses as being "unfaithful" or committing "unfaithfulness,".

   Numbers 5:12Numbers 5:27
3. Unreliability in spoken answers · rare

   In Job 21:34 the absolute noun characterizes the answers offered as comfort: the APB renders them as remaining "full of unfaithfulness." The verse applies the term to the quality of those responses rather than narrating an act against the LORD or a husband.

   Job 21:34

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the noun with "unfaithfulness," while Leviticus 5:15 uses "breach of trust" and Ezekiel 17:20 and Ezekiel 18:24 use "treachery." These renderings confirm the clauses' general presentation rather than establish separate lexical definitions.