timshel
/tɪmˈʃɛl/
verb
Origin
Biblical Hebrew
משל (m-š-l) — to rule, have dominion, or be able
Overview
Meaning Now
- A term popularized in literature denoting 'thou mayest' or the capacity for human choice between good and evil.
Literal older meaning
thou mayest
Language path
Biblical Hebrew → Modern literary borrowing
Earliest form
timshel
Earliest period
1952
Journey
The word gained prominence through John Steinbeck's novel 'East of Eden', where a character argues that the Hebrew word 'timšōl' in Genesis 4:7 should be translated as 'thou mayest' rather than the traditional 'thou shalt'. This interpretation emphasizes free will—the ability of a human being to choose to overcome sin.
Evolution
- Biblical Hebrew
תִּמְשֹׁל (timšōl)
“thou shalt rule”
Second person masculine singular imperfect form of the verb 'māšal'.
- 1952
timshel
“thou mayest”
Interpretation by John Steinbeck based on variant vowel points or reading of the Hebrew text in Genesis 4:7.
Connections
Word parts
ti-
prefix
second person masculine singular marker
mšl
root
to rule or have power
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Related to timshel
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.