מָשַׁל mashal (H4910) literally means to compare one thing to another in the sense of a rule of measurement, often a proverb or parable. For example, the Hebrew word for “Proverbs” is Sefer Mishlei (literally meaning “Book of Parables”) which contains guidance for living a wise, moral, and righteous life, in the form of proverbs and parables. מָשַׁל mashal is equivalent to the Greek word παραβολή parabolē (G3850) which is a concise and instructive saying, involving some likeness or comparison and having preceptive or admonitory force.
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