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מַחְמָד

𐤌𐤇𐤌𐤃

machmâd

H4261 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חמד to desire, to covet, to take pleasure in

Definition

An object or person that is valued as precious or desirable, often referring to something highly esteemed, cherished, or attractive. The term is used both concretely (e.g., treasures, valuable possessions) and abstractly (that which is emotionally or aesthetically pleasing, attractive, or delightful).

Semantic Range

object of desire, something precious or valued, beloved person, delightful or pleasing thing, treasured possession, beautiful thing, cherished object

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root חמד (ḥ-m-d), meaning 'to desire, take pleasure in, covet.' מַחְמָד is a nominal form signifying that which is desired or serves as an object of delight.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מַחְמָד appears in poetry and prophetic literature (e.g., Song of Songs 5:16, Isaiah 64:11, Lamentations 1:10–11) to denote things or persons intensely desired, valued, or beautiful. In poetic texts such as Song of Songs, it refers to a person regarded as supremely attractive or cherished. In prophetic and lament texts, the term can denote precious possessions—including sacred items, children, or treasures—lost or taken in times of disaster, highlighting both emotional loss and material deprivation. English translations often render מַחְמָד as 'beloved', 'desirable', 'precious', or 'pleasant thing', but these may not fully convey the breadth of meaning, which encompasses all that is longed for, treasured, or esteemed, whether material or personal. The word is distinct from synonyms like חֵפֶץ (ḥēphets, 'delight, pleasure, desire') and שַׁעֲשׁוּעִים (sha'ashu'im, 'delights, amusements'), which may carry different nuances of enjoyment or purpose. Over time, the term's emotional and aesthetic connotation persists, but its specific reference depends heavily on context—ranging from intimate relationships to the loss of precious goods in national catastrophe.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָמַד; delightful; hence, a delight, i.e. object of affection or desire; beloved, desire, goodly, lovely, pleasant (thing).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חמד (ḥ-m-d) — to desire, to covet, to take pleasure in

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2530 חָמַד his desired one
H2531 חֶמֶד precious thing
H2532 חֶמְדָּה desirable things
H2533 חֶמְדָּן Desirable one
H4262 מַחְמֻד her desired things

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4261-06 מַחְמַ֣ד machemad HNcmsc the desire cherished-thing of 5
H4261-01 מַחֲמַדֵּ֥י machamadey HNcmpc the delights desired treasures of 2
H4261-02 מַחֲמַדֶּ֑י/הָ machamadeyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs her precious things her cherished things 2
H4261-07 וּ/מַֽחֲמַדַּ/י֙ umachamaday HC/Ncmpc/Sp1cs and my treasures and my cherished things 1
H4261-03 מַחֲמַדֵּי/הֶ֛ם machamadeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their treasures their cherished things 1
H4261-05 מַחֲּמַדִּ֑ים machamadim HNcmpa most desirable cherished treasures 1
H4261-04 מַחֲמַדֵּ֖י/נוּ machamadeynu HNcmpc/Sp1cp our-desirables our cherished things 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4261-06 1 Kings 20:6 מַחְמַ֣ד machemad HNcmsc is desirable cherished-thing of
H4261-04 Isaiah 64:10 מַחֲמַדֵּ֖י/נוּ machamadeynu HNcmpc/Sp1cp our-desirables our cherished things
H4261-06 Ezekiel 24:16 מַחְמַ֥ד machemad HNcmsc the desire cherished-thing of
H4261-06 Ezekiel 24:21 מַחְמַ֥ד machemad HNcmsc the desire cherished-thing of
H4261-06 Ezekiel 24:25 מַחְמַ֤ד machemad HNcmsc desire cherished-thing of
H4261-06 Hosea 9:6 מַחְמַ֣ד machemad HNcmsc precious things cherished-thing of
H4261-01 Hosea 9:16 מַחֲמַדֵּ֥י machamadey HNcmpc precious desired treasures of
H4261-07 Joel 4:5 וּ/מַֽחֲמַדַּ/י֙ umachamaday HC/Ncmpc/Sp1cs and my treasures and my cherished things
H4261-05 Song of Songs 5:16 מַחֲּמַדִּ֑ים machamadim HNcmpa most desirable cherished treasures
H4261-02 Lamentations 1:10 מַחֲמַדֶּ֑י/הָ machamadeyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs her precious things her cherished things
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