מַדְבַּח
𐤌𐤃𐤁𐤇
madbach
H4056 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A structure or platform designated for the act of offering animal, grain, or other sacrifices to a deity; specifically, a sacrificial altar. Used predominantly in Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible to refer to a raised place set apart for ritual sacrifice. Its usage is centered on the context of worship involving offerings.
Semantic Range
sacrificial altar, structure for animal sacrifice, place designated for offering sacrifices to a deity
Root / Etymology
From the Aramaic verb דְּבַח (davaḥ), meaning 'to slaughter, sacrifice'—especially in relation to animal offerings. The noun form מַדְבַּח functions as a place where such slaughtering or sacrificial acts occur. The underlying root concept is 'to slaughter' or 'to sacrifice.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term מַדְבַּח appears exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably Ezra 6:17), in contrast to the more commonly used Hebrew מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbe'aḥ) for 'altar.' While both words carry the sense of a sacrificial altar, מַדְבַּח is linguistically and contextually tied to Aramaic-speaking populations during the Persian period, reflecting administrative or community shifts post-exile. As a loan or cognate form, it shows the close relationship between Hebrew and Aramaic sacrificial terminology but may appear in passages where the audience or context required use of Aramaic. English translations universally render the term 'altar,' but this translation risks eliding its distinct Aramaic setting and its particular associations with imperial or post-exilic worship structures. Unlike earlier Israelite worship at altars (מִזְבֵּחַ), instances of מַדְבַּח reflect the realities of the post-exilic or Persian-period temple cult. The English term 'altar' does not capture the linguistic or historical nuance of its Aramaic background.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) from דְּבַח; a sacrificial altar; altar.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דבח (d-b-ḥ) — to slaughter, to sacrifice
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4056-01 |
מַדְבְּחָ֔/ה | madebechah | ANcmsd/Td |
the-altar | the sacrifice-altar | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4056-01 |
Ezra 7:17 | מַדְבְּחָ֔/ה | madebechah | ANcmsd/Td |
the-altar | the sacrifice-altar |