← H4129 H4131 →

מוֹדַעַת

𐤌𐤅𐤃𐤏𐤕

môwdaʻath

H4130 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יָדַע to know, be acquainted, experience, perceive

Definition

An individual who is known, a relation or close associate; specifically a person with whom one shares a recognized connection, typically through kinship or residency within the community. In some contexts, refers especially to a female relative or a close female acquaintance within the social structure.

Semantic Range

acquaintance, associate, kinswoman, female relation, relative (by family connection), person with recognized social/familial connection

Root / Etymology

From the root ידע (y-d-ʿ), meaning 'to know.' מוֹדַעַת is a feminine noun form, derived most likely from the passive participle or a related stem/feminine formation, indicating one who is known or made known, i.e., an acquaintance or kin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The word occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in Ruth 2:1, where it is used of Naomi's relative Boaz. In this patriarchal and monarchic Israelite context, מוֹדַעַת designates a recognized member of one's extended family or clan, with a particular focus on kinship ties that might entail mutual obligations (e.g., levirate marriage, redemption of property). While sometimes rendered as 'kinswoman' or 'acquaintance' in translations, its force relates to the legally and socially significant bonds within Israelite society. The translation 'kindred' or 'kinsfolk' highlights its usage better than the broader English 'acquaintance,' which may lack the nuance of familial obligation. The term is distinct from קרוב (qarov, 'close relative'), and though it overlaps with terms for family ties, it may specify a less immediate or less precisely defined connection. In post-exilic or later periods, the lexical field is filled by other terms, and מוֹדַעַת falls out of common use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָדַע; acquaintance; kindred.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

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

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4130-01 מֹֽדַעְתָּ֔/נוּ modaetanu HNcfsc/Sp1cp our kinsman our known woman 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4130-01 Ruth 3:2 מֹֽדַעְתָּ֔/נוּ modaetanu HNcfsc/Sp1cp our kinsman our known woman
← H4129 Hebrew Lexicon H4131 →