מָדוֹן
𐤌𐤃𐤅𐤍
mâdôwn
H4067 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Physical stature or bodily height; the measure of how tall a person stands. In some contexts, can be used to specifically indicate impressive or notable physical size.
Semantic Range
bodily height, physical stature, impressive or notable size (of a person)
Root / Etymology
From the root מדד (m-d-d), which means 'to measure,' especially in reference to physical dimensions. מָדוֹן is a nominal form derived from this root, denoting 'measuredness,' with a specialized sense of bodily height rather than general measurement.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מָדוֹן occurs rarely and is contextually tied to physical description, particularly in the genealogical and descriptive passages of the Hebrew Bible. Most notably, it appears in the description of Saul's unusual stature (1 Samuel 28:20), highlighting physical impressiveness or distinctions among Israelites. The term does not carry the broader English sense of 'greatness' or 'eminence'—it is limited to physical height. This differentiates it from other Hebrew terms such as גּוֹבַהּ, which may relate more broadly to height (of objects or of pride). English translations sometimes obscure this nuance by rendering the word simply as 'greatness,' but the primary sense remains physical stature. No significant semantic development is attested across periods; the term remains literal and physical in meaning. Later Hebrew and translation traditions do not consistently use this term, and no later ethnic or geographic labels are implied by its usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as מֶדֶו; extensiveness, i.e. height; stature.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מדד (m-d-d) — to measure, stretch, extend
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4055 | מַד | like his measured garment |
| H4058 | מָדַד | I will measure out |
| H4060 | מִדָּה | in the measure |
| H4061 | מִדָּה | apportioned tribute of |
| H4063 | מֶדֶו | their measured-length robes |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4067-02 |
מדין | mdyn | HNcmsa |
of great stature | measured stature | 1 |
H4067-01 |
מָד֗וֹן | madon | HNcmsa |
of great stature | measured stature | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4067-02 |
2 Samuel 21:20 | מדין | mdyn | HNcmsa |
of great stature | measured stature |
H4067-01 |
2 Samuel 21:20 | מָד֗וֹן | madon | HNcmsa |
of great stature | measured stature |