מַעַץ
𐤌𐤏𐤑
Maats
H4619 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'closure' or 'shutting-in', likely reflecting a derived meaning related to restraint or enclosure. Used in the genealogical listings to designate an individual Israelite, Maʻats.
Semantic Range
personal name, possibly 'closure,' 'shutting-in,' or 'enclosure'; does not occur with a lexical sense outside of personal name usage
Root / Etymology
מַעַץ derives from the root עָצָה, which means 'to shut, close, restrain, enclose.' The noun form here is likely an abstract or substantival formation, functioning as a personal name rather than describing an object or concept. The presence of the mem-prefix (מ-) commonly forms nouns in Hebrew but here primarily functions within the personal name structure.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name מַעַץ (Maʻats) appears in 1 Chronicles 6:20 [EB 6:5], as part of a genealogy detailing Levitical lineages. The meaning of the name is not explicitly connected to the narrative, and its semantic root is more important for etymology than for narrative context. As is common in biblical onomastics, personal names often derive from roots with concrete or abstract meanings, but the significance of the meaning in the life of the bearer is not always explicit. English tradition sometimes renders the name as 'Maaz' or 'Maats,' but these reflect transliteration preferences rather than separate lexical entries. The use as a personal name is restricted to genealogical contexts and provides no supporting evidence for a wider lexical or symbolic use of the term in ancient Hebrew. The KJV and other translations may use different name forms (Maaz, Maats) but none of these carry later ethnic or religious connotations; the name occurs solely in a genealogical context, and no later Judean or Jewish identity is implied or relevant for this period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָצָה; closure; Maats, an Israelite; Maaz.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עצה (ʿ-ṣ-h) — shutting, enclosing, restraining
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4619-01 |
מַ֥עַץ | maats | HNp |
Maaz | Closure | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4619-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:27 | מַ֥עַץ | maats | HNp |
Maaz | Closure |