English · KJV
H4571

מָעַד

mâʻad /maw-ad'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto waver
KJV usagemake to shake, slide, slip.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mâʻad — 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 mâʻad, represented by H4571, is a primitive root defined as to waver; make to shake, slide, slip. It appears a total of 6 times in 6 unique verses, making each usage significant. The word vividly portrays a state of instability, both in a literal physical sense and as a powerful metaphor for spiritual or moral precariousness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H4571 is used to contrast the security of the righteous with the instability of the wicked. For the faithful, stability is a divine promise; one who has walked in integrity and trusted in the LORD declares, "I shall not slide" Psalms 26:1. Similarly, the one whose heart contains the law of God will find that "none of his steps shall slide" Psalms 37:31. This security is an act of God, who enlarges the steps of his servant so that his "feet did not slip" (2 Samuel 22:37, Psalms 18:36). Conversely, the term is used in a curse against enemies, asking God to "make their loins continually to shake" Psalms 69:23, and it describes the one who is "ready to slip with his feet" Job 12:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concepts of stability and the path one walks:

  • H838 'âshur (a step): This word for a step or going is directly linked to the potential for instability. A person's security is measured by whether their steps will slide Psalms 37:31.
  • H3559 kûwn (to be erect, establish, fix, prepare): This word represents the state of being firm or established, the direct opposite of wavering. It is used to describe one who is ready to slip, highlighting the contrast between being prepared for security and being on the verge of collapse Job 12:5.
  • H982 bâṭach (to trust, be confident or sure): This term identifies the spiritual foundation that prevents sliding. The declaration of stability, "I shall not slide," is immediately preceded by the statement, "I have trusted also in the LORD" Psalms 26:1.
  • H7337 râchab (to broaden, make large): This word describes God's action in providing a secure path. God has enlarged the steps of the psalmist, which is the direct cause of his feet not slipping Psalms 18:36.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H4571 is centered on the source of a believer's steadfastness.

  • The Foundation of Integrity: The concept of not sliding is directly tied to a life of integrity and trust in God. Walking uprightly provides a firm footing that prevents moral and spiritual collapse Psalms 26:1.
  • God as Stabilizer and Judge: God is portrayed as the active agent of stability. He provides a wide, safe path for the righteous Psalms 18:36. At the same time, He is the one who can bring about instability as a form of judgment, causing the loins of the wicked to shake Psalms 69:23.
  • A Metaphor for the Spiritual Walk: The physical act of slipping or wavering serves as a metaphor for one's spiritual journey. A life founded on God's law is secure Psalms 37:31, while a life of arrogant ease is one of contempt, always ready to slip Job 12:5.

Summary

In summary, H4571 provides a dynamic illustration of the difference between a life founded on God and one that is not. More than just physical motion, to slide, slip, or shake represents a state of spiritual vulnerability and impending failure. The word powerfully contrasts the secure footing granted by God through trust and obedience with the inherent instability that characterizes a life apart from Him or under His judgment.

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 verb across 7 occurrences, inflected in 6 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.

  • מָעֲדוּ
  • הַמְעַד
  • מוּעָדֶת
  • אֶמְעָד
  • תִמְעַד
  • מוֹעֲדֵי

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.

H838 אָשֻׁר or אַשֻּׁר; from אָשַׁר in the sense of going; a step; going, step. H3559 כּוּן a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of H982 בָּטַח a primitive root; properly, to hide for refuge (but not so precipitately as חָסָה); figuratively, to trust, be confident H7337 רָחַב a primitive root; to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative); be an en-(make) large(-ing), make room

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

Appears in 6 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms (4 verses); never once in the other 36.

1
2 Samuel
1
Job
4
Psalms

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.