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מוֹדַע

𐤌𐤅𐤃𐤏

môwdaʻ

H4129 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יָדַע to know, perceive, be acquainted with

Definition

A person with whom one is familiar through social or family connection, typically emphasizing a recognized relationship rather than close intimacy; specifically, a relative or kinswoman by acquaintance, but may also refer generally to an associate or someone known to the community. The term can denote a kin-related connection or one established through shared community ties, depending on context.

Semantic Range

acquaintance, person known, associate, kinsman, relative, kinswoman, member of the same clan or extended family

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root ידע (y-d-ʿ), meaning 'to know,' with מודע formed as a participial or adjectival noun indicating 'one known,' i.e., an acquaintance or recognized person.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term מוֹדַע appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Ruth 2:1), where it refers to a relative, specifically Boaz, described as 'a knowledgeable (modaʿ) man' of Naomi's family, suggesting a recognized member of the broader kin group rather than immediate family. The usage indicates known association, either by kinship or communal standing. The synonymous form מֹדָע occurs with similar meaning. English translations often alternate between 'relative,' 'kinsman,' or 'acquaintance,' but the Hebrew emphasizes the aspect of recognized relational connection, broad enough to include both kin and prominent community members. Over time, the nuance of being 'known' by association persists in post-biblical usage. Later Jewish tradition sometimes reads this as 'kinsman,' but this is not strictly required by the biblical sense. Distinct from explicit words for close kin or sibling, such as אָח (brother) or גָּאָל (redeemer/kinsman-redeemer).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or rather מֹדָע; from יָדַע; an acquaintance; kinswoman.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ידע (y-d-ʿ) — to know, perceive, be acquainted with

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

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4129-01 מוֹדַ֣ע moda HNcmsa kinsman known-one 1
H4129-02 וּ֝/מֹדָ֗ע umoda HC/Ncmsa and kinswoman and an acquaintance 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4129-02 Proverbs 7:4 וּ֝/מֹדָ֗ע umoda HC/Ncmsa and kinswoman and an acquaintance
H4129-01 Ruth 2:1 מוֹדַ֣ע moda HNcmsa kinsman known-one
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