English · KJV
H4092

מְדָנִי

Mᵉdânîy /med-aw-nee'/ Ask about this word
Roota variation of מִדְיָנִי
Meaning(a Midjanite or descendant (native) of Midjan)
KJV usageMidianite.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Mᵉdânîy — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word Mᵉdânîy, represented by H4092, refers to a Midianite. It is defined as a variation for a descendant or native of Midjan. This word appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, identifying the specific group responsible for a pivotal transaction in the life of Joseph.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H4092 is used exclusively in Genesis 37:36. This verse states that the Midianites sold Joseph into Egypt H4714 to Potiphar H6318, who was an officer H5631 of Pharaoh's H6547 and the captain H8269 of the guard H2876. This single mention places the Midianites at the critical moment that transitions Joseph from his life in Canaan to his enslavement and eventual rise in Egypt.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from this verse provide a fuller picture of the event:

  • H4376 mâkar (to sell): This is the action performed by the Midianites, meaning to sell as merchandise or into slavery. The dossier shows its use in contexts where God also "sells" Israel to its enemies Judges 2:14 or when Joseph's brothers sold him Genesis 45:5.
  • H4714 Mitsrayim (Egypt): This specifies the destination of the sale, identifying the nation of Egypt where Joseph's story would unfold Genesis 37:36.
  • H6318 Pôwṭîyphar (Potiphar): This is the name of the Egyptian who purchased Joseph from the Midianites, establishing him as a key figure in the next stage of Joseph's life Genesis 37:36.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H4092 is tied directly to its role in the unfolding of divine providence.

  • Instrument of a Divine Plan: The Midianites function as the agents who physically move Joseph to Egypt. Their action of selling H4376 him is later reinterpreted by Joseph himself as part of God's plan to preserve life Genesis 45:5.
  • Catalyst for Redemptive History: The transaction involving the Midianites initiates the long narrative of Israel in Egypt H4714, which encompasses themes of preservation, bondage, and ultimately, deliverance and exodus Exodus 3:8.
  • Human Agency in a Sovereign Story: The appearance of the Midianites in this commercial act of selling a person highlights how ordinary, and even malicious, human activities can be woven into God's larger purposes.

Summary

In summary, H4092 is not a broadly used term, but its singular appearance is of great narrative importance. It identifies the Midianites as the merchants whose actions propelled Joseph into the circumstances that would lead to his rise to power in Egypt. This one word marks a crucial turning point, demonstrating how a specific group's actions can serve as the linchpin in the execution of a divine and overarching redemptive plan.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 7 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מִּדְיָנִים
  • מִּדְיָנִית
  • מִּדְיָנִי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4714 מִצְרַיִם dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. H6318 פּוֹטִיפַר of Egyptian derivation; Potiphar, an Egyptian; Potiphar. H5631 סָרִיס or סָרִס; from an unused root meaning to castrate; a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments) H6547 פַּרְעֹה of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh. H8269 שַׂר from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, H2876 טַבָּח from טָבַח; properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Genesis — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.