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מָדַד

𐤌𐤃𐤃

mâdad

H4058 verb

SILEX Entry

Root de3d3d to stretch, to extend, to measure by stretching

Definition

To measure, generally by means of extending or stretching a line or cord, with primary reference to delimiting distances, areas, or quantities. The term can denote literal measurement of length, area, or capacity, and is also used figuratively for the allocation, division, or assignment of portions, fates, or boundaries. In poetic or rhetorical contexts, it may describe the act of apportioning or determining something's extent.

Semantic Range

to measure (length, space, capacity); to stretch out (a line or cord to measure); to mete or apportion (figuratively assign or determine boundaries or fate); to delineate (land, borders); to apportion justly (in legal or poetic texts)

Root / Etymology

Root: מדד. The core meaning of the root is 'to stretch, to extend.' From this basic sense, the verb מָדַד develops as the act of stretching a line for the purpose of measuring, hence 'to measure.' The lexical meaning centers around the act of quantifying or marking out by means of extension.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מָדַד most frequently appears in contexts involving measuring land, boundaries, or physical objects (Num 35:5; Isa 40:12). The word is often used in conjunction with a 'measuring line' (קָו), referencing the practical process of establishing distributions or borders by surveyors in ancient Israelite society. In poetic texts, such as the Psalms and Prophets, מָדַד can take on a more figurative sense—God is sometimes depicted as measuring out the heavens or nations, indicating his authority or the allotted fates (Ps 60:6, Isa 40:12). The act of measuring may also symbolize judgment or assignment, especially in exilic and post-exilic literature. The concept of measurement in ancient Near Eastern contexts was tied closely to justice, order, and rightful division, adding a layer of meaning when applied to divine action. English translations generally render מָדַד as 'measure,' 'mete,' or 'stretch,' but the nuance of stretching a line as part of the process is usually not reflected in translation. Unlike other Hebrew roots for 'measure' (e.g., שקל, 'to weigh'), מָדַד focuses on spatial delimitation rather than weighing or counting.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended; measure, mete, stretch self.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מדד (m-d-d) — to stretch, to extend, to measure by stretching

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4055 מַד like his measured garment
H4060 מִדָּה in the measure
H4061 מִדָּה apportioned tribute of
H4063 מֶדֶו their measured-length robes
H4067 מָדוֹן measured stature

Word Forms

18 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4058-12 וַ/יָּ֜מָד vayamad HC/Vqw3ms and he measured and he measured 23
H4058-03 מָדַ֨ד madad HVqp3ms he measured he stretched-measured 6
H4058-07 וּ/מָדַ֤ד umadad HC/Vqq3ms and he measured and he measured 4
H4058-17 יִמַּ֖ד yimad HVNi3ms can be measured he will be measured out 2
H4058-01 אֲמַדֵּֽד amaded HVpi1cs I will measure I will measure out 2
H4058-08 וּ/מָדְדוּ֙ umadedu HC/Vqq3cp and let them measure and they measured out 2
H4058-02 לָ/מֹד֙ lamod HR/Vqc to measure measuring 1
H4058-13 וַ/יָּמֹ֣דּוּ vayamodu HC/Vqw3mp and they measured they measured 1
H4058-14 וַ/יְמַדֵּ֤ד vayemaded HC/Vpw3ms and he measured he measured out 1
H4058-06 תָּמֹ֑דּוּ tamodu HVqi2mp you-shall-measure you men will measure 1

Occurrences in Scripture

51 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4058-13 Exodus 16:18 וַ/יָּמֹ֣דּוּ vayamodu HC/Vqw3mp and they measured they measured
H4058-09 Numbers 35:5 וּ/מַדֹּתֶ֞ם umadotem HC/Vqq2mp and-you-shall-measure and you measured out
H4058-08 Deuteronomy 21:2 וּ/מָדְדוּ֙ umadedu HC/Vqq3cp and they shall measure and they measured out
H4058-15 2 Samuel 8:2 וַֽ/יְמַדְּדֵ֤/ם vayemadedem HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3mp and he measured them he measured them out
H4058-14 2 Samuel 8:2 וַ/יְמַדֵּ֤ד vayemaded HC/Vpw3ms and he measured he measured out
H4058-16 1 Kings 17:21 וַ/יִּתְמֹדֵ֤ד vayitemoded HC/Vrw3ms and he stretched himself and he stretched himself out
H4058-03 Isaiah 40:12 מָדַ֨ד madad HVqp3ms has measured he stretched-measured
H4058-10 Isaiah 65:7 וּ/מַדֹּתִ֧י umadoti HC/Vqq1cs I will measure and I measured out
H4058-18 Jeremiah 31:37 יִמַּ֤דּוּ yimadu HVNi3mp they-can-be-measured they will be measured
H4058-17 Jeremiah 33:22 יִמַּ֖ד yimad HVNi3ms can be measured he will be measured out
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