ma.shal denotes exercising governing authority over people, lands, or other stated spheres.

The verb most often marks a ruler’s authority over people, peoples, kingdoms, or territory. It also describes control exercised over specified nonpolitical spheres, including the day and night, sin, and one’s spirit.

1. Govern over people, peoples, or territory · dominant

   Active participles identify persons holding authority: in Genesis 45:26 the APB renders Joseph as “ruler over all the land of Egypt,” and in Joshua 12:2 it describes Sihon’s rule from named locations to a boundary. Finite forms likewise portray proposed, refused, or asserted authority over a people in Judges 8:22 and Judges 8:23, while Daniel 11:3 depicts a king ruling a great dominion.

   Genesis 45:26Joshua 12:2Judges 8:22Judges 8:23Daniel 11:32 Chronicles 9:26
2. Exercise control over a stated sphere · occasional

   The Qal infinitive construct in Genesis 1:18 names the day and night as the sphere over which rule is exercised. In Genesis 4:7 the Qal imperfect addresses control over sin, and Proverbs 16:32 uses an active participle for a person ruling his spirit.

   Genesis 1:18Genesis 4:7Proverbs 16:32Genesis 3:16Joel 2:17

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the verb with “rule” or “ruler,” especially where a person has authority over a people or land. In several clauses it also uses “ruling,”.