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מָנָה

𐤌𐤍𐤄

mânâh

H4490 noun

SILEX Entry

Root מנה to count, to number, to assign, to apportion

Definition

A measured or allotted portion, particularly of food or resources, assigned to an individual or group; by extension, any share, part, or lot apportioned according to a deliberate act of dividing or counting. In some contexts, refers to an officially designated ration, such as food served at a meal or a provision distributed by an authority. The term can also be used metaphorically, denoting a share or destiny assigned to someone.

Semantic Range

measured portion, assigned share, ration (especially of food), allotment, part, official distribution, designated lot, destiny assigned

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root מנה (m-n-h), meaning 'to count, number, assign, apportion.' The noun form מָנָה derives from this root and refers to that which is measured, apportioned, or designated by counting or calculation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, מָנָה is frequently encountered in contexts describing the measured distribution of food (e.g., a daily portion at a king's table, 2 Kings 25:30; Jeremiah 52:34), or the apportioning of any benefit or share (e.g., the lot or portion assigned to an individual by fate or by administrative authority). While standard English translations often render מָנָה as 'portion' or 'ration,' these may obscure the original sense of formal allocation or designation. The concept of מָנָה is distinct from terms like חֵלֶק (ḥēleq), which also means 'portion' but often implies a more generic share or inheritance, and גּוֹרָל (gôral), which refers to a 'lot' cast by chance. Over time, מָנָה retained its association with official, often routine distribution, and was used in both royal and everyday settings in ancient Israelite society. In later Hebrew, its usage became more restricted or ceremonial. During the monarchic and exilic periods, the term is mostly administrative, relating to prescribed rations or allotments, rather than arbitrary division. English translations tend to narrow the sense to 'portion,' but the biblical term highlights the active process of measured assignment.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from מָנָה; properly, something weighed out, i.e. (generally) a division; specifically (of food) a ration; also a lot; such things as belonged, part, portion.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מנה (m-n-h) — to count, to number, to assign, to apportion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4482 מֵן with strings
H4487 מָנָה to be counted
H4488 מָנֶה the appointed measure
H4489 מֹנֶה measured intervals
H4503 מִנְחָה with the apportioned offering

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4490-04 מָנֽוֹת manot HNcfpa portions allotted portions 6
H4490-02 לְ/מָנָֽה lemanah HR/Ncfsa as portion for an allotted portion 3
H4490-06 מְנָת menat HNcfsc portion assigned portion of 2
H4490-03 מָנָ֥ה manah HNcfsa portion he counted out 1
H4490-01 הַ/מָּנָ֔ה hamanah HTd/Ncfsa portion the assigned portion 1
H4490-05 מָנוֹתֶ֨/הָ֙ manoteha HNcfpc/Sp3fs her portions her allotted portions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4490-02 Exodus 29:26 לְ/מָנָֽה lemanah HR/Ncfsa as portion for an allotted portion
H4490-02 Leviticus 7:33 לְ/מָנָֽה lemanah HR/Ncfsa as a portion for an allotted portion
H4490-02 Leviticus 8:29 לְ/מָנָ֔ה lemanah HR/Ncfsa portion for an allotted portion
H4490-04 1 Samuel 1:4 מָנֽוֹת manot HNcfpa portions allotted portions
H4490-03 1 Samuel 1:5 מָנָ֥ה manah HNcfsa portion he counted out
H4490-01 1 Samuel 9:23 הַ/מָּנָ֔ה hamanah HTd/Ncfsa portion the assigned portion
H4490-06 Jeremiah 13:25 מְנָת menat HNcfsc portion assigned portion of
H4490-06 Psalms 16:5 מְנָת menat HNcfsc portion assigned portion of
H4490-05 Esther 2:9 מָנוֹתֶ֨/הָ֙ manoteha HNcfpc/Sp3fs her portions her allotted portions
H4490-04 Esther 9:19 מָנ֖וֹת manot HNcfpa portions allotted portions
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