The Hebrew word middad, represented by H4059, carries the meaning of flight or to be gone. It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verses in the Bible. Based on its root, this term conveys the concept of something having passed away or departed.
The single appearance of H4059 is found in the book of Job, in a moment of profound suffering. Job, being "full of tossings to and fro" Job 7:4, expresses his anguish during a sleepless night. He cries out in his lament, "When shall I arise, and the night be gone?" Job 7:4. In this context, the word does not describe a physical flight, but rather the desperate desire for the long, difficult night to pass and for the "dawning of the day" to finally arrive.
Several related words from its only context in Job 7:4 help illuminate its meaning:
- H7901 shâkab (to lie down): This primitive root describes the physical act that begins Job's restless night. While it can mean to rest or sleep peacefully Psalms 4:8, here it sets the stage for suffering, as Job lies down only to wish for the night to end Job 7:4.
- H6153 ʻereb (dusk; night): This word for night is the very thing Job wishes would be gone. It represents the period of his trial and darkness. The term is frequently used to mark the passage of time, such as in the creation account where "the evening and the morning" marked a day Genesis 1:31.
- H5076 nâdud (tossing to and fro): This word powerfully illustrates the reason for Job's longing. He is "full of tossings to and fro" Job 7:4, highlighting a state of restless agitation rather than peaceful rest.
- H5399 nesheph (dawning of the day): As the counterpart to the night Job endures, this term for the dawning of the day represents the hope for which he waits Job 7:4. It can refer to the darkness of twilight or the approaching light of dawn Psalms 119:147.
The theological weight of H4059 is centered on the experience of human suffering.
- A Cry of Lament: The use of H4059 is embedded in a speech of deep personal anguish. It gives voice to the universal experience of wanting a painful period to end, reflecting a plea for relief from overwhelming circumstances Job 7:4.
- The Passing of a Trial: The term is used to desire the end of the "night" H6153, which symbolizes a time of darkness and trial. Its departure is linked to the hope of arising H6965 and seeing the "dawning of the day" H5399, representing an end to suffering.
- A Desire for Departure: With a core meaning of "flight," the word emphasizes an active longing for the ordeal itself to flee. It is not a passive waiting, but an urgent wish for the situation to be over and gone.
In summary, while H4059 middad is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its single use provides a poignant and powerful meaning. It encapsulates the deep longing for an end to suffering, specifically the desire for a "night" of trial to be gone. Rather than a term of broad theological doctrine, it offers a window into the raw emotion of human lament, making it a significant expression of the struggle and hope found within scripture.
TRV