from נוּד; a nodding or toss (of the head in derision); shaking.
Transliteration:mânôwd
Pronunciation:maw-node'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun mânôwd (`{{H4493}}`) is derived from the verb nûd (`{{H5128}}`), which carries a range of meanings including "to wave," "to wag," "to shake," "to wander," or "to flee." As a noun, mânôwd specifically refers to the act of "shaking" or "tossing" the head. The core meaning, as indicated by its usage, is heavily weighted towards a gesture of derision, scorn, or mockery. It is not a neutral physical movement but one imbued with strong negative social and emotional connotations, signifying contempt, disdain, or profound disapproval expressed through a physical, non-verbal act.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
mânôwd (`{{H4493}}`) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, but each instance powerfully illustrates its meaning within its specific context:
* **[[Psalm 44:14]] (English 44:13):** "You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples." Here, mânôwd describes the intense scorn and derision that Israel experiences from surrounding nations. This is a public humiliation, where the shaking of the head signifies utter contempt and mockery directed at God's chosen people, who feel abandoned and shamed.
* **[[Jeremiah 18:16]]:** "To make their land a desolation, a perpetual hissing; everyone who passes by it will be astonished and will shake his head." In this prophetic context, mânôwd is part of a description of the severe judgment that will befall Judah. The shaking of the head by passersby indicates not only astonishment at the desolation but also deep scorn and derision towards the ruined state, implying a divine judgment manifested in human contempt.
* **[[Lamentations 2:15]]:** "All who pass by clap their hands at you; they hiss and shake their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem: 'Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?'" This passage vividly portrays the profound humiliation of Jerusalem after its destruction. mânôwd is part of a cluster of actions (clapping, hissing) that express extreme mockery, schadenfreude, and contempt from those observing the city's downfall. It underscores the complete fall from glory and the public shaming endured by the once-proud capital.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **nûd (`{{H5128}}`):** The direct verbal root of mânôwd. While nûd can encompass various forms of shaking, wandering, or lamenting, mânôwd specifically captures the derisive aspect of head-shaking. The verbal form nûd itself is used in a similar context of mockery in [[Job 16:4]].
* **shāraqqah (`{{H8322}}` - hissing):** This term frequently appears alongside mânôwd, as seen in [[Jeremiah 18:16]] and [[Lamentations 2:15]]. Both hissing and shaking the head are non-verbal, visceral expressions of extreme scorn, contempt, and severe disapproval.
* **qolāh (`{{H7036}}` - contempt, scorn):** While not etymologically related, mânôwd is a physical manifestation of the inner state of qolāh. The act of shaking the head in derision is a visible expression of the emotion of contempt.
* **cherpah (`{{H2781}}` - reproach, scorn, disgrace):** mânôwd often functions as an *action* that inflicts or accompanies cherpah. The shaking of the head in mockery is a public act of reproach or disgrace, contributing to the overall sense of shame.
### Theological Significance
The word mânôwd (`{{H4493}}`) carries significant theological weight, primarily serving as a potent descriptor of humiliation, divine judgment, and the consequences of unfaithfulness or perceived abandonment by God.
* **Divine Judgment and Public Shame:** In prophetic books like Jeremiah and Lamentations, mânôwd illustrates the severity of God's judgment upon His people. The shaking of the head by onlookers is not merely human reaction but a tangible sign of the public shame and desolation that result when the covenant is broken. It underscores that divine judgment can manifest as profound humiliation in the eyes of the nations.
* **Suffering of the Righteous:** In [[Psalm 44:14]], mânôwd highlights the perplexing suffering and reproach faced by the righteous, even when they feel innocent or faithful. It raises profound theological questions about God's justice and faithfulness when His people endure such public scorn, framing it as a lament and an appeal to divine intervention.
* **Vulnerability to Scorn:** The term emphasizes the precarious position of God's people, vulnerable to the scorn of the nations when they deviate from His path or when God appears to withdraw His favor. It serves as a stark warning against apostasy and a reminder of the importance of maintaining a distinct, holy identity that reflects God's glory rather than inviting contempt.
* **Echoes in Messiah's Suffering:** While mânôwd itself does not appear in the New Testament, the *concept* of mocking and head-shaking is powerfully echoed in the crucifixion narratives of Christ (e.g., [[Matthew 27:39]], [[Mark 15:29]]). This demonstrates a continuity in the human expression of ultimate contempt and derision directed at those perceived as cursed or defeated, linking the suffering and public humiliation of God's people in the Old Testament to the ultimate suffering of the Messiah.
### Summary
mânôwd (`{{H4493}}`) is a potent Hebrew noun denoting a "shaking" or "tossing of the head," primarily conveying derision, scorn, and intense contempt. Its limited but impactful occurrences in the Old Testament, particularly in [[Psalm 44:14]], [[Jeremiah 18:16]], and [[Lamentations 2:15]], consistently depict public humiliation and the profound disdain of onlookers, often in contexts of divine judgment or the perceived abandonment of God's people. Frequently paired with other expressions of contempt such as "hissing" (`{{H8322}}`), mânôwd vividly illustrates the severe consequences of unfaithfulness, the public shame associated with divine judgment, and the suffering of the righteous. Theologically, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of God's people to external scorn and foreshadows the ultimate derision faced by the Messiah, underscoring the depth of suffering and public humiliation.
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