from לוּן; a lodgment, i.e. caravanserai or encampment; inn, place where...lodge, lodging (place).
Transliteration:mâlôwn
Pronunciation:maw-lone'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word mâlôwn (`{{H4411}}`) originates from the verbal root lûn (`{{H3885}}`), which signifies "to lodge," "to spend the night," or "to remain overnight." Consequently, mâlôwn inherently denotes a place of temporary stay, emphasizing its transient nature rather than permanence. Its semantic range encompasses:
* **Inn or Caravanserai:** A public lodging establishment, typically found along travel routes, designed to accommodate travelers and their animals for a night.
* **Lodging Place or Encampment:** A more general term for any location where one stops to spend the night, whether a designated facility or a temporary camp.
The core concept conveyed is that of a stopover, a place of rest during a journey, underscoring a temporary cessation of movement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term mâlôwn (`{{H4411}}`) appears several times in the Old Testament, predominantly in narratives involving travel and sojourning:
* **[[Exodus 4:24]]**: This is perhaps the most striking and theologically profound occurrence. As Moses journeys back to Egypt, the Lord confronts him at a mâlôwn, seeking to kill him. This terrifying encounter, resolved by Zipporah's swift action of circumcising their son, transforms a common lodging place into a scene of divine judgment and a critical test of obedience. It highlights the vulnerability of even God's chosen servant when in violation of covenantal commands.
* **[[Genesis 42:27]] and [[Genesis 43:21]]**: In the account of Joseph's brothers traveling to and from Egypt, the mâlôwn is the place where they discover the returned money in their sacks. This common inn becomes the setting for their growing anxiety and confusion, as the unfolding events seem to conspire against them. It illustrates the practicalities of ancient travel and the unexpected discoveries that could occur in such public, temporary spaces.
* **[[Joshua 4:3]], [[Joshua 4:8]]**: Here, mâlôwn refers to Gilgal, the first encampment of the Israelites after miraculously crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This mâlôwn is profoundly significant as it marks the initial point of Israel's possession of the land, serving as a place of memorial (the twelve stones), national renewal (circumcision in [[Joshua 5:2-9]]), and preparation for the conquest. It signifies a transition from wilderness wandering to settlement.
* **[[2 Kings 19:23]] / [[Isaiah 37:24]]**: In these parallel prophetic declarations against Sennacherib, the "lodging place" (mâlôwn) is used metaphorically. The Assyrian king boasts of reaching the "farthest mâlôwn" or "highest lodging place" in the mountains, implying his ability to penetrate and conquer even the most remote and secure territories. It speaks to the extreme limits of a journey or conquest.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning and usage of mâlôwn (`{{H4411}}`) are illuminated by its relationship to other Hebrew terms and broader biblical concepts:
* **lûn (`{{H3885}}`):** The verbal root from which mâlôwn is derived. It emphasizes the *action* of lodging or spending the night, providing the foundational meaning for the *place* of lodging.
* **gûr (`{{H1481}}`):** Meaning "to sojourn" or "to dwell as a stranger." While mâlôwn denotes a physical place for a temporary stay, gûr describes the *condition* of being a temporary resident or alien, often carrying theological implications concerning one's status before God or in a foreign land.
* **mishkān (`{{H4908}}`):** "Tabernacle" or "dwelling place." This term generally refers to a more permanent or divinely ordained dwelling, particularly God's dwelling among His people. This contrasts with the inherently temporary nature of a mâlôwn.
* **'ōhel (`{{H168}}`):** "Tent." While a mâlôwn might consist of tents, 'ōhel refers specifically to the portable dwelling structure itself, common in nomadic or semi-nomadic cultures. mâlôwn refers more to the site or facility.
* **Hospitality (Hebrew: hakhnasat orchim):** The concept of mâlôwn is deeply intertwined with the ancient Near Eastern cultural imperative of hospitality, where providing safe lodging and provisions for travelers was a sacred duty.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of mâlôwn (`{{H4411}}`) carry significant theological weight, transforming a mundane location into a stage for divine activity:
* **Divine Encounter and Judgment in the Ordinary:** The most profound theological implication stems from [[Exodus 4:24]], where God confronts Moses in a common mâlôwn. This demonstrates that God's presence, demands, and even judgment are not confined to sacred spaces but can manifest anywhere, even in the most unexpected and ordinary settings of human life. It underscores God's sovereignty and His unwavering demand for obedience to His covenant.
* **The Journey and Pilgrimage of Faith:** The mâlôwn serves as a recurring motif for the journey inherent in the biblical narrative. Israel's history is often depicted as a pilgrimage—from Abraham's wanderings, through the Exodus, to the journey into the Promised Land. The mâlôwn represents the necessary, temporary stops along this journey, highlighting the transient nature of earthly existence and pointing towards an ultimate, divinely appointed destination.
* **Place of Testing and Revelation:** As seen in Exodus and the Genesis account of Joseph's brothers, the mâlôwn often becomes a crucible where characters face significant tests, hidden truths are revealed, or pivotal turning points occur. It is a place of vulnerability, anxiety, and sometimes, crisis, where divine purposes unfold.
* **Preparation for Inheritance:** In [[Joshua 4]], Gilgal as a mâlôwn symbolizes the initial point of entry and possession in the Promised Land. It is a place of purification (circumcision) and memorial before the active conquest, signifying where the wilderness past is left behind and the future of inheritance truly begins.
### Summary
The Hebrew word mâlôwn (`{{H4411}}`) denotes a temporary lodging place, an inn, or an encampment, derived from the root lûn (`{{H3885}}`) meaning "to spend the night." Its biblical usage consistently portrays it as a stop along a journey, whether for individuals, families, or the entire nation of Israel. Theologically, mâlôwn transcends its literal definition, serving as a significant setting for divine encounters, tests of obedience, revelations of truth, and pivotal moments in the journey of faith. It powerfully reminds us that God is actively involved in the seemingly mundane spaces of human travel and temporary dwelling, often using such transient locations to reveal His will, exercise His judgment, and manifest His presence.
TRV