from מָה and דַּי; what (is) enough, i.e. sufficiently; sufficiently.
Transliteration:madday
Pronunciation:mad-dah'-ee
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H4078, מַדַּי (madday), is a compound adverb derived from the interrogative particle מָה (mah), meaning "what," and the noun דַּי (day), meaning "sufficiency" or "enough." Literally, the combination can be understood as "what is enough?" or "how much is enough?" However, its functional meaning is adverbial, conveying the sense of "sufficiently," "enough," or "to the required extent." It denotes a quantitative or qualitative adequacy, indicating that a certain measure or standard has been met, or conversely, has not been met, depending on the context. The word implies a comparison to a norm or a desired quantity, signifying completion or lack thereof in terms of measure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַדַּי (madday) is remarkably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once. This singular occurrence is found in [[2 Chronicles 30:5]]. The passage describes King Hezekiah's initiative to restore the Passover celebration, which had been neglected by the people of Israel and Judah. The text states, "So they resolved to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it in great numbers, as it was written, *sufficiently* (מַדַּי)."
The phrase "לֹא לָרֹב עָשׂוּ כַכָּתוּב מַדַּי" (lo' larov 'asu kakatuv madday) is crucial. It indicates that the previous observances of the Passover were deficient in two respects: they were "not in great numbers" (לֹא לָרֹב), implying a lack of widespread participation, and crucially, they were not performed "sufficiently as it was written" (כַכָּתוּב מַדַּי). This latter part, where מַדַּי appears, points to a qualitative or procedural inadequacy. The people had not observed the Passover according to the full requirements or the precise manner prescribed in the Mosaic Law. Hezekiah's reform, therefore, was not merely about increasing participation but about restoring the proper, sufficient adherence to the divine command. The single use of מַדַּי here powerfully conveys a failure to meet a divine standard.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical root of מַדַּי (madday) is `{{H1767}}` דַּי (day), which itself means "sufficiency," "enough," or "abundance." This core meaning is directly reflected and amplified in מַדַּי. Other related concepts and words include:
* **Adequacy/Sufficiency:** The core idea, often contrasted with deficiency.
* **Measure/Standard:** The word implies a comparison against a prescribed norm or quantity. In [[2 Chronicles 30:5]], the standard is "as it was written" (כַכָּתוּב).
* **Completeness/Perfection:** The opposite of "not enough" or "not sufficiently" points to a desired state of full compliance or perfection in an action or quantity.
* **Quantity/Degree:** The term inherently deals with the extent or amount of something.
* **`{{H7230}}` רֹב (rov):** Meaning "multitude," "abundance," or "great number." In [[2 Chronicles 30:5]], this word is used in conjunction with מַדַּי ("not in great numbers... sufficiently"), highlighting both quantitative and qualitative deficiencies.
* **`{{H3966}}` מְאֹד (me'od):** An adverb meaning "very" or "exceedingly," which, while an intensifier, can relate to the degree of something being enough or more than enough.
* **`{{H7648}}` שָׂבַע (sava'):** A verb meaning "to be satisfied" or "to be full," often used in the context of physical needs, but also applicable to spiritual satisfaction.
### Theological Significance
Despite its solitary appearance, the theological weight of מַדַּי (madday) in [[2 Chronicles 30:5]] is substantial. It underscores a crucial principle in biblical theology: the importance of **wholehearted and precise obedience to God's commands**. The previous Passover observances were not merely neglected in terms of participation, but critically, they were "not sufficiently according to what was written." This implies a theological failing where human effort fell short of divine expectation.
This word highlights God's demand for **uncompromised adherence to His revealed will**. It is not enough to merely perform a religious ritual; it must be done with the right heart, in the right manner, and to the full measure prescribed by the divine Law. The lack of "sufficiency" in their past worship signifies a spiritual deficiency that necessitated Hezekiah's call for national repentance and a return to faithful observance.
The passage thus serves as a powerful reminder that God's holiness requires **holistic and complete worship**. Partial obedience or half-hearted measures are deemed insufficient. True faithfulness is characterized by diligent attention to divine instruction, striving to meet the full standard of what is "sufficiently" required by God.
### Summary
H4078, מַדַּי (madday), derived from "what" and "sufficiency," functions as an adverb meaning "sufficiently" or "enough." Its sole appearance in [[2 Chronicles 30:5]] is highly significant, describing the previous Passover observances as having been performed "not sufficiently according to what was written." This highlights a critical failure to meet the divine standard for worship and obedience. The word underscores the theological principle that God demands **complete and precise adherence to His commands**, rather than partial or inadequate fulfillment. It is closely related to `{{H1767}}` דַּי (day), "sufficiency," and contrasts with a lack of `{{H7230}}` רֹב (rov), "great numbers," in the context of proper observance. Theologically, מַדַּי serves as a potent reminder of the need for **diligent and comprehensive faithfulness** in all matters pertaining to God's will and worship.
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