from דִּין; a contest or quarrel; brawling, contention(-ous), discord, strife. Compare מִדְיָן, מְדָן.
Transliteration:mâdôwn
Pronunciation:maw-dohn'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מָדוֹן (mâdôwn), Strong's number `{{H4066}}`, derives from the verb דִּין (dîn), meaning "to judge, to contend, to plead." As a noun, mâdôwn therefore signifies the *act* or *state* of contention, dispute, or quarrel. Its semantic range encompasses "strife," "discord," "brawling," and "contention." The term consistently carries a negative connotation in biblical usage, denoting disruptive and harmful conflict rather than legitimate legal dispute or righteous contention for truth. It describes a state of antagonism that undermines peace and harmony, often arising from anger, pride, or foolishness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term mâdôwn appears frequently in the Old Testament, most notably in the book of Proverbs, where it serves as a prominent warning against the destructive nature of unbridled conflict.
In Proverbs, mâdôwn is consistently depicted as a characteristic of the foolish, the wicked, or the hot-tempered. For instance, [[Proverbs 6:14]] and [[Proverbs 6:19]] identify the "sower of discord" as one who devises evil and is an abomination to the Lord. [[Proverbs 10:12]] states that "hatred stirs up strife (mâdôwn), but love covers all offenses," directly contrasting the two forces. The connection between anger and strife is explicit in [[Proverbs 15:18]]: "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife (mâdôwn), but he who is slow to anger quiets contention." Similarly, [[Proverbs 26:21]] uses a vivid simile: "As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife (mâdôwn)." The wisdom tradition consistently advocates for peace and quietness over the turmoil of contention, as seen in [[Proverbs 17:1]]: "Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting with strife (mâdôwn)."
Beyond Proverbs, mâdôwn appears in other contexts to describe societal breakdown or personal distress. The prophet Habakkuk laments the pervasive violence and injustice in his time, stating in [[Habakkuk 1:3]], "Why do you make me see iniquity and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife (mâdôwn) and contention arise." Jeremiah, in his personal lament, identifies himself as "a man of strife (mâdôwn) and contention to the whole land," reflecting the constant opposition he faced due to his prophetic message ([[Jeremiah 15:10]]). The psalmist also speaks of deliverance from "the strife (mâdôwn) of the people" ([[Psalm 18:43]]) and being hidden from "the strife (mâdôwn) of tongues" ([[Psalm 31:20]]), highlighting the widespread and often verbal nature of this conflict.
### Related Words & Concepts
The foundational root of mâdôwn is דִּין (dîn, `{{H1777}}`), which encompasses the broader idea of judgment, contention, or a legal dispute. While dîn can be neutral or even positive (as in righteous judgment), mâdôwn specifically focuses on the negative, disruptive aspect of contention.
Other Hebrew words related to conflict and dispute include:
* רִיב (rîv, `{{H7379}}`): A more general term for dispute, quarrel, or lawsuit, often appearing in legal or covenantal contexts.
* מְרִיבָה (merîvâ, `{{H4807}}`): Contention, strife, often associated with specific places of dispute, like Meribah ([[Numbers 20:13]]). While related in meaning, mâdôwn tends to describe the *state* or *quality* of being contentious, particularly in interpersonal relations.
* צָרָה (tsārâ, `{{H6662}}`): Distress, trouble, anguish. While not directly synonymous, mâdôwn often leads to or is a component of tsārâ.
In contrast to mâdôwn, the biblical text frequently extols concepts such as:
* שָׁלוֹם (shalom, `{{H7965}}`): Peace, wholeness, well-being.
* חָכְמָה (chokmâh, `{{H2451}}`): Wisdom, which often promotes peace and avoids strife.
* צֶדֶק (tsedeq, `{{H6664}}`): Righteousness, which fosters justice and harmony rather than discord.
The entry also notes comparisons to מִדְיָן (Midian, `{{H4080}}`) and מְדָן (Medan, `{{H4090}}`), proper nouns likely derived from the same root דִּין, suggesting a historical or etymological connection to contention or judgment, perhaps in the naming of these peoples or places.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of mâdôwn is profound, particularly within the Old Testament's emphasis on communal living and divine order.
1. **Antithesis to Shalom:** Mâdôwn stands in direct opposition to God's ideal of *shalom*—a state of comprehensive peace, harmony, and well-being. God desires His people to live in unity and mutual respect, and mâdôwn actively disrupts this divine intention, sowing division and animosity.
2. **Consequence of Sin and Folly:** The prevalence of mâdôwn in human relationships is a clear manifestation of the fallen human condition. It stems from pride, selfishness, anger, and a lack of wisdom or love. The wise person, in contrast, avoids strife and seeks reconciliation.
3. **Displeasing to God:** The biblical text, especially Proverbs, indicates that God detests those who sow discord ([[Proverbs 6:19]]). Mâdôwn is not merely an unfortunate human trait but an offense against the divine order and character, which prioritizes peace and righteousness.
4. **Disruption of Community:** Strife undermines the fabric of family, community, and nation. It hinders cooperation, destroys trust, and prevents the flourishing that God intends for His people. The prophetic laments (e.g., Habakkuk, Jeremiah) show mâdôwn as a symptom of a society in spiritual decline.
5. **Call to Peacemaking:** By highlighting the destructive nature of mâdôwn, the biblical text implicitly calls believers to be peacemakers. Avoiding strife, exercising patience, and pursuing reconciliation are presented as virtuous and wise behaviors that align with God's will.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מָדוֹן (mâdôwn, `{{H4066}}`) denotes destructive contention, quarrel, or strife. Rooted in the concept of dispute (from דִּין), it consistently carries a negative connotation in the Old Testament. Primarily found in Proverbs, it characterizes the actions of the foolish, the wicked, and the hot-tempered, serving as a stark warning against behaviors that disrupt peace and harmony. Theologically, mâdôwn is antithetical to God's desired *shalom*, a consequence of sin and folly, and something explicitly detested by the Lord. Its pervasive presence in a community signifies spiritual and social breakdown, underscoring the biblical call for wisdom, righteousness, and the pursuit of peace.
TRV