or מַדֻּעַ; from מָה and the passive participle of יָדַע; what (is) known?; i.e. (by implication) (adverbially) why?; how, wherefore, why.
Transliteration:maddûwaʻ
Pronunciation:mad-doo'-ah
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4069}}` (מַדּוּעַ, transliterated *maddûwaʻ*) is an interrogative adverb primarily signifying "why?" or "wherefore?" Its etymology is particularly insightful, being a compound of the interrogative particle `{{H4100}}` (מָה, *mah*, "what?") and the passive participle of the verb `{{H3045}}` (יָדַע, *yādaʻ*, "to know"). Thus, its most literal rendering is "what is known?" or "for what knowledge?" This etymological root reveals that the question "why?" is fundamentally a quest for understanding, for the underlying reason or cause behind a known fact or event. It seeks the knowledge that explains a phenomenon, action, or state. While often translated simply as "why," its deeper sense implies a demand for rationale, purpose, or justification.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H4069}}` appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, serving as a versatile interrogative adverb that probes the reasons for actions, conditions, or divine decrees. Its usage spans a wide range of contexts, from human complaint and confusion to divine inquiry and prophetic challenge.
In human discourse, *maddûwaʻ* often expresses perplexity, frustration, or a demand for explanation. For instance, after Cain's offering is rejected, God asks him, "[[Genesis 4:6]] Why are you angry? And why has your face fallen?" Here, God's question is not born of ignorance but is a pedagogical prompt, inviting Cain to self-reflection and accountability. Similarly, Moses laments to the Lord in [[Exodus 5:22]], "Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Why did you ever send me?" This reflects a cry of despair and a desire to understand God's seemingly counterproductive actions. Hannah's husband Elkanah asks her in [[1 Samuel 1:8]], "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted?" This exemplifies its use in expressing concern and seeking the cause of emotional distress. Job frequently uses *maddûwaʻ* in his laments, questioning God's actions and the reasons for his suffering, as seen in [[Job 10:18]], "Why then did you bring me out from the womb? I wish I had died and no eye had seen me!" Such uses highlight humanity's struggle with inexplicable circumstances and the innate desire for divine rationale.
When God or His prophets use *maddûwaʻ*, it typically serves as a rhetorical device to expose sin, highlight disobedience, or call for repentance. In [[Jeremiah 2:31]], God asks rebellious Israel, "O generation, see the word of the Lord! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why do my people say, 'We are free; we will come no more to you'?" Here, the question underscores Israel's irrational turning away from their benevolent God. Similarly, in [[Malachi 2:10]], the prophet asks, "Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?" This challenges the priests' unethical behavior by appealing to their shared heritage and covenant obligations.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary components of `{{H4069}}` are crucial for understanding its depth. The interrogative particle `{{H4100}}` (מָה, *mah*) signifies "what?", initiating a query, while the root `{{H3045}}` (יָדַע, *yādaʻ*, "to know") grounds the question in the realm of understanding and knowledge. This connection sets *maddûwaʻ* apart from other interrogatives like `{{H3906}}` (לָמָּה, *lāmāh*), which also means "why?" but is formed from the preposition "to/for" and "what." While often interchangeable in translation, *maddûwaʻ* carries a slightly more emphatic nuance of seeking the *reason* or *cause* for something already known or observed, rather than merely asking "for what purpose?"
The concept of "knowing" (יָדַע) is central to the biblical worldview, encompassing intellectual apprehension, experiential understanding, and relational intimacy. Therefore, when *maddûwaʻ* is employed, it often implicitly points to a desire for divine knowledge or to a human failure to grasp God's ways or their own responsibilities. Related concepts include inquiry, causality, purpose, accountability, and the tension between human limited understanding and divine omniscience.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4069}}` is profound, touching upon core themes of divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the nature of faith.
When humans ask "maddûwaʻ" of God, it often reflects a deep theological struggle. It can be a genuine cry for understanding in the face of suffering (e.g., Job, the psalmists), a lament born of perceived divine abandonment ([[Lamentations 5:20]]), or even a challenge to God's justice. These questions highlight humanity's limited perspective and the inherent tension between human expectations and God's often mysterious ways. Yet, the very act of asking "why?" to God, even in complaint, can be an expression of faith, indicating a belief that God is just and that a reason, however hidden, exists. It underscores the human desire for a coherent, meaningful world ordered by a righteous God.
When God asks "maddûwaʻ" of humanity, it is never out of ignorance but always for pedagogical or judicial purposes. It is a divine invitation to self-examination, a call to account for one's actions, and an exposure of the irrationality of sin. God's "why?" questions serve to reveal human culpability, to prompt repentance, and to reaffirm His righteous standards. They highlight His desire for humanity to "know" Him not just intellectually, but experientially and obediently. The question "why?" from God underscores His patience and His persistent call for His people to understand and align with His will.
Ultimately, the frequent use of *maddûwaʻ* in the biblical text testifies to the inherent human need to find meaning and purpose, and to the divine imperative for humanity to understand its relationship with the Creator and the consequences of its choices.
### Summary
`{{H4069}}` (מַדּוּעַ, *maddûwaʻ*) is a crucial Hebrew interrogative adverb meaning "why?" or "wherefore," rooted in the concept of "what is known" (from `{{H4100}}` "what" and `{{H3045}}` "to know"). This etymology underscores its function as a quest for underlying reasons, causes, and purposes. Biblically, it is widely employed by humans to express perplexity, lament, or to demand explanation, often in the face of suffering or divine action. Conversely, when God or His prophets use *maddûwaʻ*, it serves as a rhetorical device to expose sin, call for accountability, and prompt self-reflection, never stemming from divine ignorance. Theologically, *maddûwaʻ* illuminates the human struggle for understanding in a world governed by a sovereign God, and it highlights God's pedagogical approach in guiding humanity towards knowledge and obedience. It is a word that probes the very essence of causality and purpose within the divine-human relationship.
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