### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H4059 (מִדַּד, middad) is derived from the root `{{H5074}}` (נדד, nadad), which fundamentally means "to flee," "to wander," "to depart," or "to remove." While `{{H5074}}` describes the act of flight or movement away, H4059 specifically denotes the *state* or *result* of this action: "flight" as a noun, or more commonly in its sole biblical occurrence, the state of being "gone" or "fled." It conveys a sense of irreversible departure, an absence resulting from a swift or forced movement away. The nuance of H4059 suggests not merely the act of fleeing, but the subsequent condition of being dispersed, scattered, or utterly removed from a place of origin or safety.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4059 (מִדַּד, middad) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Jeremiah:
* [[Jeremiah 49:5]]: "Behold, I will bring a terror upon you, says the Lord GOD of hosts, from all your sides; and you shall be driven out, every man straight before him, and no one shall gather up him that **is gone**."
In this prophetic oracle against Ammon, middad describes the state of the Ammonites who will be utterly scattered and dispersed as a consequence of divine judgment. The phrase "no one shall gather up him that is gone" powerfully emphasizes the finality and desolation of their flight. It is not merely a temporary retreat but a complete and irreversible dispersal, where those who have fled are beyond human retrieval or reassembly. The context is one of overwhelming divine wrath, leading to a state of utter helplessness and abandonment for the fleeing population. The use of middad here underscores the futility of their escape, as their very flight leads them into a state of irreparable loss and disunity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical relationship for H4059 is its direct root, `{{H5074}}` (נדד, nadad), which signifies the action of fleeing, wandering, or being restless. While `{{H5074}}` focuses on the dynamic process, H4059 captures the static outcome or the state of being as a result of that process.
Related concepts include:
* **Exile/Dispersion (גלות, galut):** The state of being driven from one's homeland, often by divine judgment. middad vividly portrays the irreversible nature of such a dispersion.
* **Scattering (פוץ, putz):** The act of being spread abroad or broken up. middad implies a state of being scattered beyond recovery.
* **Abandonment/Helplessness:** The word's context in [[Jeremiah 49:5]] highlights the complete lack of support or means of return for those who are middad.
* **Divine Judgment:** The ultimate cause of this "being gone" is the sovereign judgment of God.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of H4059 in [[Jeremiah 49:5]] carries profound theological weight, primarily illustrating the severe and irreversible nature of divine judgment.
1. **Irreversible Judgment:** The state of being middad signifies a judgment from which there is no return or recovery through human agency. For the Ammonites, their flight is not a means of escape but rather a pathway into a permanent state of dispersion and desolation. This underscores the finality of God's righteous wrath against nations that oppose Him.
2. **Divine Sovereignty in Judgment:** The terror and scattering are explicitly attributed to "the Lord GOD of hosts." Even in their desperate flight, the Ammonites are not escaping God's hand but are fulfilling His decree. Their middad state is a testament to God's absolute control over the destinies of nations, demonstrating that His judgments are inescapable and fully accomplished.
3. **Consequences of Rebellion:** The context implies that the Ammonites' middad state is a direct consequence of their defiance or wickedness. It serves as a stark warning that rebellion against God leads to ultimate ruin and an irreversible loss of security and identity.
4. **Absence of Hope and Restoration:** The phrase "no one shall gather up him that is gone" highlights the utter hopelessness of those in a middad state. Without divine intervention for restoration, their condition is one of perpetual abandonment and disunity, a powerful contrast to God's promises of gathering and restoration for His covenant people.
### Summary
H4059 (מִדַּד, middad) is a rare but potent Hebrew term derived from `{{H5074}}` (nadad), signifying the state of being "gone" or "fled" in a complete and irreversible manner. Its sole biblical appearance in [[Jeremiah 49:5]] vividly portrays the devastating consequences of divine judgment upon the Ammonites. The word underscores the finality of their dispersion, emphasizing that those who are middad are beyond human retrieval or restoration. Theologically, middad serves as a powerful testament to the severity and inescapability of God's righteous judgment, highlighting His sovereignty over the nations and the dire, irreversible consequences of rebellion against Him.
TRV