step
ma.a.lah denotes physical steps, a measured stairway, an ascent route, and the recurring heading of certain psalms.
The term most often identifies actual built steps leading to a throne, altar, gate, hall, city area, or other structure. It also marks the steps on which a shadow moves, occurs in ascent-route expressions, and stands in the repeated title formula introducing a group of psalms.
Senses in use
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Built stairways and structural steps · dominant
The plural form identifies constructed steps associated with access to a structure: in 1 Kings 10:19 the APB renders six steps leading to a throne, while Ezekiel 40:49 describes steps by which one ascends to a hall. Other architectural settings include steps at an altar, gates, and the city of David.
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Steps as a measured course for a shadow · common
In 2 Kings 20:9 the plural names the ten-step movement proposed for the shadow, and in 2 Kings 20:11 the APB renders the shadow returning ten steps on Ahaz's stairway. Isaiah 38:8 likewise describes the sun and shadow moving back ten steps.
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Psalm heading formula · common
The plural appears in the opening title formula of these psalms rather than in the psalm's following sentence. In Psalm 120:1 the APB renders the heading "A song of ascents," while Psalm 122:1 and Psalm 134:1 render it "A song of the steps."
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An ascent route or journey upward · rare
The singular construct form occurs in route and travel expressions. In Joshua 10:10 the APB renders pursuit by "the way of the ascent of Beth-horon," and Ezra 7:9 calls the departure from Babylon "the beginning of the ascent."
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the term as "steps," "stairway," "ascent," and in psalm titles as "ascents" or "steps." These renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.