The Hebrew word memshalah means dominion, rule, realm, or governmental authority. It derives from the root mashal (H4910, to rule, have dominion) and denotes the sphere or exercise of ruling power. It appears in contexts describing both cosmic governance (the rule of sun and moon) and political authority (kingdoms and empires).
From the opening chapter of Genesis, memshalah describes God's created order: the sun has memshalah over the day and the moon over the night (Genesis 1:16). This cosmic dominion reflects the broader biblical theme that all authority originates from God and is delegated according to His design. In the Psalms, God's memshalah extends over all things (Psalm 103:22, 145:13). Human rulers exercise their memshalah only as stewards of divine authority. When Psalm 136 declares that God made the great lights, giving the sun memshalah over the day, it celebrates the order and faithfulness of God whose steadfast love endures forever.