מַדָּע
𐤌𐤃𐤏
maddâʻ
H4093 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Concrete knowledge, understanding, or information possessed by an individual or group, especially as an accumulation of intellectual awareness, discernment, or skill. In context, it often refers to applied knowledge—expertise or informed understanding—especially in technical, administrative, or sacred settings.
Semantic Range
knowledge, understanding, expertise, consciousness, practical skill, information, learned proficiency, science
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ידע (y-d-ʿ), meaning 'to know, perceive, be acquainted with.' The noun מַדָּע is a nominal formation indicating 'knowledge' or 'awareness,' emphasizing the product or result of knowing rather than the process.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מַדָּע appears predominantly in texts associated with the later monarchy and post-exilic periods (e.g., Chronicles, Daniel, Ezra). It is frequently used in administrative or instructional contexts to describe specialized knowledge or expertise—such as the knowledge given to Daniel and his companions (Daniel 1:4), or the discernment exhibited by administrators and scribes. While the standard English translations ('knowledge,' 'science') generally convey the sense, the Hebrew is more nuanced, often implying expertise or specialized skill. Earlier biblical terms for knowledge (like דַּעַת, daʿat) have broader senses, including personal acquaintance or moral discernment, while מַדָּע tends to be more technical or intellectual. In later traditions (Septuagint, rabbinic), usages expanded or shifted further. The rendering as 'science' in some translations reflects European post-Enlightenment terminology and may differ from the ancient intent, which focused on breadth and depth of learning or expertise rather than scientific method per se.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מַדַּע; from יָדַע; intelligence or consciousness; knowledge, science, thought.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ידע (y-d-ʿ) — to know, to perceive, to be aware
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1668 | דָּא | Know! |
| H1843 | דֵּעַ | Know! |
| H1844 | דֵּעָה | perceptive knowledge |
| H1845 | דְּעוּאֵל | God Knows |
| H1847 | דַּעַת | by his knowledge |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4093-02 |
מַדָּ֔ע | mada | HNcmsa |
knowledge | acquired knowledge | 2 |
H4093-03 |
וּ/מַדָּע֙ | umada | HC/Ncmsa |
and knowledge | and knowledge | 2 |
H4093-01 |
בְּ/מַדָּֽעֲ/ךָ֗ | bemadaakha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
in your thoughts | in your knowledge | 1 |
H4093-04 |
וְ/הַ/מַּדָּ֖ע | vehamada | HC/Td/Ncmsa |
and the knowledge | and the knowledge | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4093-01 |
Ecclesiastes 10:20 | בְּ/מַדָּֽעֲ/ךָ֗ | bemadaakha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
in your thoughts | in your knowledge |
H4093-02 |
Daniel 1:4 | מַדָּ֔ע | mada | HNcmsa |
learning | acquired knowledge |
H4093-02 |
Daniel 1:17 | מַדָּ֥ע | mada | HNcmsa |
knowledge | acquired knowledge |
H4093-03 |
2 Chronicles 1:10 | וּ/מַדָּע֙ | umada | HC/Ncmsa |
and knowledge | and knowledge |
H4093-03 |
2 Chronicles 1:11 | וּ/מַדָּ֔ע | umada | HC/Ncmsa |
and knowledge | and knowledge |
H4093-04 |
2 Chronicles 1:12 | וְ/הַ/מַּדָּ֖ע | vehamada | HC/Td/Ncmsa |
and the knowledge | and the knowledge |