ma.shal denotes using or uttering a proverb, whether by speakers, a public saying, or a commanded prophetic utterance.

The attested use concerns the use, utterance, or recitation of a proverb: people employ a saying about Israel, speakers voice one, and prophetic speech is commanded to take proverbial form. The supplied verses do not establish a separate lexical use for the Piel participle in Ezekiel 21:5, where the APB does not isolate its contribution.

1. Using or speaking a proverb · dominant

   In Ezekiel 16:44 and Ezekiel 18:2, participial forms occur in clauses about people using a proverb; the APB renders these clauses with “everyone who uses proverbs” and “using this proverb.” Imperative forms in Ezekiel 17:2 and Ezekiel 24:3 command the delivery of a proverb, while Ezekiel 12:23 and Ezekiel 18:3 describe a proverb as no longer being recited or used; Numbers 21:27 identifies those who speak in proverbs.

   Ezekiel 16:44Ezekiel 18:2Ezekiel 17:2Ezekiel 24:3Ezekiel 12:23Numbers 21:27

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the clause with “uses proverbs,” “using this proverb,” “speak a proverb,” or “speak in proverbs,” and in Ezekiel 12:23 with a proverb “recited.” These are whole-verse presentations; Ezekiel 21:5 does not make the term's individual contribution clear.