the same as מָעוֹן; a residence; Maon, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine; Maon, Maonites. Compare בֵּית בַּעַל מְעוֹן, מְעוּנִיlemma מְעוּנָי third vowel, corrected to מְעוּנִי.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Mâʻôwn**, represented by `{{H4584}}`, primarily means **a residence**. It is also used as a proper name for a place in Palestine, an Israelite, and a group of people known as the Maonites. It appears **8 times** across **6 unique verses** in the Bible, indicating its specific but significant role in the landscape and lineage of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H4584}}` is used in several distinct contexts. Geographically, it is a town listed alongside Carmel and Ziph [[Joshua 15:55]] and is the home of a very great man with thousands of sheep and goats [[1 Samuel 25:2]]. The "wilderness of **Maon**" serves as a critical location where David hid from Saul, abiding near a rock for safety even as Saul pursued him there [[1 Samuel 23:24-25]]. As a people, the **Maonites** are listed with the Zidonians and Amalekites as a group that oppressed Israel, from whom God delivered them after they cried out to Him [[Judges 10:12]]. Lastly, it appears genealogically as the name of an individual, **Maon**, the son of Shammai and father of Bethzur [[1 Chronicles 2:45]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help contextualize the settings and events associated with **Mâʻôwn**:
* `{{H4057}}` **midbâr** (wilderness): The wilderness of Maon is a key setting. This word denotes a pasture or desert and is the location where David and his men took refuge from Saul [[1 Samuel 23:24]].
* `{{H3760}}` **Karmel** (Carmel, fruitful field): This location is closely linked to Maon. A wealthy man from Maon had his possessions in **Carmel** [[1 Samuel 25:2]], and the two towns are listed together in the distribution of land [[Joshua 15:55]].
* `{{H3905}}` **lâchats** (to oppress): This word describes the actions of the Maonites against Israel. It means to press or distress, highlighting the affliction from which God delivered His people [[Judges 10:12]].
* `{{H3427}}` **yâshab** (to dwell, to remain): This term connects to the core meaning of "residence." It is used to describe how David **abode** in the wilderness of Maon while hiding from his pursuers [[1 Samuel 23:25]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H4584}}` is tied to its role in Israel's history and geography.
* **Place of Refuge and Conflict:** The wilderness of Maon is a place of duality. For David, it was a place to **abide** `{{H3427}}` and seek refuge near a **rock** `{{H5553}}`, but it was simultaneously a place of intense danger and pursuit by Saul [[1 Samuel 23:25]].
* **A History of Oppression and Deliverance:** The Maonites are remembered as a people who **did oppress** `{{H3905}}` Israel. Their mention is part of a recurring theme where Israel **cried** `{{H6817}}` to God, and He **delivered** `{{H3467}}` them from the **hand** `{{H3027}}` of their enemies [[Judges 10:12]].
* **Anchor of Lineage and Land:** As both a person in a genealogy [[1 Chronicles 2:45]] and a city in a tribal allotment [[Joshua 15:55]], **Maon** helps to establish the ancestral and geographical identity of the people of Israel.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4584}}` **Mâʻôwn** moves beyond its base meaning of "a residence" to become a multifaceted anchor in the Old Testament. It serves as a proper name that defines a key location in David's life, identifies a people group in the history of Israel's struggles, and marks a link in the nation's genealogy. The story of Maon—the place, people, and person—is woven into the larger biblical narrative of conflict, deliverance, and heritage.
TRV