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מְאֹד

𐤌𐤀𐤃

mᵉʼôd

H3966 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root מאד intensity, abundance, extremity

Definition

An adverb expressing intensity, degree, or extremity: 'very,' 'exceedingly,' 'greatly,' or 'utterly.' Serves to intensify notions of quantity, quality, or emphasis, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. In some contexts, may function as a noun for superlative degree or abundance ('muchness').

Semantic Range

very, exceedingly, greatly, utterly, extremely, an abundance of, with force, mightily, muchness (as noun), stronger degree, quickly (idiomatic), diligently, as a superlative when repeated

Root / Etymology

Root: אוּד or the hypothetical base מוד, meaning 'to be strong' or 'to support/continue.' The precise etymology is uncertain, but it is possibly related to the sense of sustaining or increasing force. Here, מְאֹד emerges as an adverbial form denoting intensity or extremity, derived from the root idea of force or abundance.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, מְאֹד predominantly operates as an adverb of degree, commonly following or preceding the word it intensifies (e.g., טוֹב מְאֹד – 'very good'). It is frequently paired with adjectives and verbs across all periods of biblical Hebrew, from narrative, legal, and poetic contexts. While less common, it can be used substantively to indicate 'greatness' or 'abundance' (see Deuteronomy 6:5: בְּכָל־מְאֹדֶךָ – 'with all your might/with all your muchness'), where nuance hinges on context. In post-biblical and later Rabbinic Hebrew, it retains similar intensifying function. English translations often reduce its force to 'very' or 'much,' but in Hebrew, its nuance can express strongest degree available, especially when repeated ('very very' – absolute superlative). It is distinct from terms like מַאְדָּה (ma'addah, Job 36:31), which is more rarely used and likely represents a different formation. The sense in English as 'very' or 'exceedingly' is adequate but does not always capture its full range, including its emphatic or even emotional coloring in poetic or narrative passages.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as אוּד; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well.

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Root Family

מאד (m-ʾ-d) — intensity, abundance, extremity

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3966-03 מְאֹ֑ד meod HD very with great force 291
H3966-01 בִּ/מְאֹ֥ד bimeod HR/D exceedingly with great intensity 6
H3966-02 לִ/מְאֹֽד limeod HR/Ncmsa very to extremity 1
H3966-05 מְאֹד֔/וֹ meodo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his might his intensity 1
H3966-04 מְאֹדֶֽ/ךָ meodekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your might your abundance 1

Occurrences in Scripture

300 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3966-03 Genesis 1:31 מְאֹ֑ד meod HD very/really with great force
H3966-03 Genesis 4:5 מְאֹ֔ד meod HD very with great force
H3966-03 Genesis 7:18 מְאֹ֖ד meod HD greatly with great force
H3966-03 Genesis 7:19 מְאֹ֥ד meod HD exceedingly with great force
H3966-03 Genesis 7:19 מְאֹ֖ד meod-2 HD exceedingly with great force
H3966-03 Genesis 12:14 מְאֹֽד meod HD very with great force
H3966-03 Genesis 13:2 מְאֹ֑ד meod HD very with great force
H3966-03 Genesis 13:13 מְאֹֽד meod HD exceedingly with great force
H3966-03 Genesis 15:1 מְאֹֽד meod HD very with great force
H3966-01 Genesis 17:2 בִּ/מְאֹ֥ד bimeod HR/D exceedingly with great intensity
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