or מַחְמוּד; from חָמַד; desired; hence, a valuable; pleasant thing.
Transliteration:machmud
Pronunciation:makh-mood'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מַחְמֻד (machmud, `{{H4262}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verbal root חָמַד (chamad, `{{H2530}}`), which signifies "to desire, covet, delight in, take pleasure in." As a noun, מַחְמֻד extends this meaning to denote "that which is desired," "a delightful object," "a valuable possession," or "a precious thing." Its semantic range thus encompasses anything highly esteemed, cherished, or held dear, whether material wealth, sacred objects, or even beloved individuals. While the root חָמַד can carry a negative connotation of "coveting" in certain contexts (e.g., the Tenth Commandment), the noun מַחְמֻד typically refers to the *object* of desire in a positive or neutral sense, emphasizing its inherent value or attractiveness. It represents something of significant worth that one would naturally wish to possess or preserve.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַחְמֻד appears in various books of the Hebrew Bible, consistently referring to items or persons of great value.
* In **1 Kings 20:6**, Ben-Hadad's demand to Ahab includes "all your desirable things" (מַחְמֻדֶיךָ), clearly referring to precious possessions and valuables that would be seized as spoil of war.
* **2 Chronicles 32:27** describes King Hezekiah's immense wealth, stating he had "all kinds of desirable articles" (בְּכָל־כְּלִי מַחְמָד), again highlighting valuable and exquisite possessions.
* The book of **Lamentations** frequently employs מַחְמֻד to describe the devastating loss experienced by Jerusalem during its destruction:
* [[Lamentations 1:7]] speaks of Jerusalem remembering "all her desirable things" (כֹּל מַחֲמֻדֶיהָ) that were hers in days of old, referring to the former glory, prosperity, and perhaps even its cherished inhabitants and institutions.
* [[Lamentations 1:10]] states that the foe laid hands on "all her desirable things" (בְּכָל־מַחֲמַדֶּיהָ), which in context includes the sacred treasures and vessels of the Temple.
* [[Lamentations 2:4]] laments that the Lord "destroyed all her desirable things" (כֹּל מַחֲמַדֵּי עֵינָהּ), again emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the destruction, including the most cherished aspects of the city and its people.
* **Ezekiel** uses מַחְמֻד with profound emotional weight, particularly in relation to judgment:
* In [[Ezekiel 24:16]], God tells Ezekiel that He will take away "the delight of your eyes" (מַחְמַד עֵינֶיךָ), referring to Ezekiel's beloved wife, whose sudden death serves as a sign to the exiles. Here, it denotes a deeply cherished person.
* [[Ezekiel 24:21]] applies the same phrase to the Temple in Jerusalem, "the delight of your eyes" (מַחְמַד עֵינֵיכֶם), and "the desire of your soul" (וּמַחְמַד נַפְשְׁכֶם), indicating its supreme value and sacredness to the people. Its destruction is presented as the ultimate loss.
* [[Ezekiel 24:25]] further extends this to the people's "strength, the joy of their glory, the delight of their eyes, and the longing of their souls" (מַחְמַד עֵינֵיהֶם וּמַשָּׂא נַפְשָׁם), encompassing their entire well-being, including their children, which will be taken away.
* **Hosea 9:6** mentions "their precious things of silver" (מַחְמַד כַּסְפָּם), referring to valuable possessions that will be left behind or become spoil.
* **Joel 3:5 (MT 4:5)** speaks of "my precious treasures" (מַחֲמַדַּי) that were taken from the Lord's house, again emphasizing valuable articles, likely Temple treasures.
Across these contexts, מַחְמֻד consistently identifies that which is supremely valued, whether material wealth, sacred objects, or beloved individuals, and its loss often signifies profound judgment or desolation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for מַחְמֻד (machmud, `{{H4262}}`) is its root, חָמַד (chamad, `{{H2530}}`), which means "to desire, covet, delight in." This root is foundational, with מַחְמֻד being the *object* of such desire or delight. Other derivatives from this root include חֶמְדָּה (chemda, `{{H2532}}`), which also denotes "desire, precious thing, pleasantness."
Within the broader semantic field, מַחְמֻד relates to words conveying value, preciousness, or delight. These include:
* יָקָר (yaqar, `{{H3368}}`): "precious, costly, rare, weighty." This adjective describes inherent value.
* חֵפֶץ (chephets, `{{H2656}}`): "delight, desire, pleasure, purpose." This noun often refers to the subjective feeling of pleasure or the object of one's will.
* כָּבוֹד (kavod, `{{H3519}}`): "glory, honor, splendor, wealth." While broader, in contexts of material possessions, it can overlap with the idea of valuable things.
While the root חָמַד can be used negatively in the context of "coveting" (e.g., [[Exodus 20:17]]), the noun מַחְמֻד itself is generally neutral or positive, indicating something genuinely desirable or valuable. The negative implication arises when the *desire* for these objects becomes illicit or misplaced, leading to sin.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מַחְמֻד (machmud, `{{H4262}}`) is multifaceted, particularly in its association with loss and judgment.
1. **Human Affections and Idolatry:** The word highlights what humans cherish most: their wealth, their sacred spaces, and their loved ones. While these things are not inherently evil, the repeated narrative of their loss in prophetic books (Lamentations, Ezekiel) underscores a divine principle: when these "desirable things" become ultimate objects of trust, pride, or devotion, they can become idols. God's judgment often involves the removal of these cherished items, forcing His people to confront their misplaced affections and recognize that true security and delight must be found in Him alone.
2. **Consequences of Disobedience:** The destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, described as the "delight of their eyes," is a stark consequence of covenant unfaithfulness. The removal of these precious objects and people serves as a tangible manifestation of God's righteous judgment against sin and rebellion. It demonstrates that even the most sacred or beloved things are not immune to divine wrath when the covenant is broken.
3. **God's Sovereignty over All Things:** The fact that God *takes away* or *allows the taking away* of these "desirable things" asserts His ultimate sovereignty. He is the one who gives and the one who takes away ([[Job 1:21]]). This reinforces the theological truth that all possessions, even the most cherished, are ultimately on loan from God and subject to His will.
4. **The Ultimate "Desirable One":** While the word refers to earthly objects of desire, it implicitly points to the ultimate object of desire for the human soul. For the faithful, God Himself should be the supreme "delight" and "treasure." The loss of earthly "machmudim" can serve as a catalyst for redirecting one's heart towards the Lord, who is an enduring and unfailing source of delight.
### Summary
מַחְמֻד (machmud, `{{H4262}}`) is a Hebrew noun derived from the root חָמַד (chamad, `{{H2530}}`), meaning "to desire." It denotes "that which is desired," "a valuable possession," or "a pleasant/precious thing." Biblically, it consistently refers to highly esteemed items such as wealth, treasures, and sacred objects like the Temple, as well as beloved individuals. Its most poignant usage occurs in contexts of judgment and loss, particularly in Lamentations and Ezekiel, where the taking away of these "desirable things" signifies the devastating consequences of sin and God's righteous judgment. Theologically, מַחְמֻד serves as a powerful reminder of human attachments to earthly possessions and persons, the destructive nature of misplaced affections, and God's ultimate sovereignty in both bestowing and removing what is cherished, ultimately calling His people to find their deepest delight and security in Him alone.
TRV