מָעַט

mâʻaṭ /maw-at'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · properly, to pare off, i.e. lessen
Meaningintransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
KJV usagesuffer to decrease, diminish, (be, give, make) few (in number, -ness), gather least (little), be (seem) little, be minished, bring to nothing.
Idioms & phrasesidiom borrow a · (idiom give the) less
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mâʻaṭ, represented by H4591, is a primitive root meaning to pare off or lessen. It is used to convey the idea of making or becoming small, few, or ineffective. Appearing 23 times across 21 unique verses, this word describes concepts of decrease, diminishment, and scarcity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H4591 is frequently used to illustrate the consequences of divine action or human behavior. God promises to multiply His people so they will not be few Jeremiah 30:19, but also warns that disobedience will cause Him to make you few in number Leviticus 26:22. The word applies to material wealth, which can be diminished when acquired through vanity Proverbs 13:11, and to God's miraculous provision, where the one who gathered little manna still had enough Exodus 16:18. It is also used in prayer, asking God not to bring me to nothing in His anger Jeremiah 10:24.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller understanding of the concepts of quantity and sufficiency:

  • H7235 râbâh (to increase (in whatever respect)): As the direct antonym, this word is often used in contrast to H4591 to describe God's blessing of multiplication. God promises His people they will be increased and not diminished Jeremiah 29:6.
  • H4592 mᵉʻaṭ (a little or few): This is the adjectival form derived from the same root, often appearing in parallel with H4591. It is used when specifying that an inheritance should be given according to number, with the fewer receiving a less portion Numbers 33:54.
  • H2637 châçêr (to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen): This term appears alongside H4591 in the account of the manna, where the one who gathered little H4591 had no lack H2637, highlighting the sufficiency of God's provision Exodus 16:18.
  • H1952 hôwn (wealth; by implication, enough): This word for substance or riches is directly linked to H4591 in Proverbs, where wealth acquired dishonestly will be diminished Proverbs 13:11.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4591 is significant, often tying directly to God's sovereignty and judgment.

  • Divine Control over Abundance and Scarcity: The word demonstrates that God is the source of both increase and decrease. He can diminish a proud nation so it can no longer rule Ezekiel 29:15, but He can also promise not to let the cattle of the righteous decrease Psalms 107:38.
  • A Sign of Judgment or Frailty: Being minished is a direct result of oppression and sorrow Psalms 107:39. It can also depict the frailty of old age, when the "grinders cease because they are few" Ecclesiastes 12:3. The remnant of Kedar's mighty men will be diminished because the Lord has spoken it Isaiah 21:17.
  • A Measure of Righteousness and Faith: The term is used in laws requiring fairness, such as the command that the poor shall not give less than the required offering Exodus 30:15. In a test of faith, Elisha instructs a widow to borrow vessels, "not a few," in expectation of a great miracle 2 Kings 4:3.

Summary

In summary, H4591 is a dynamic term that illustrates the concepts of reduction and insufficiency. It is used in literal contexts concerning population, resources, and wealth, as well as in figurative applications related to judgment, human weakness, and faith. Whether contrasting God's power to multiply with the consequences of sin or establishing principles of divine provision, mâʻaṭ serves as a crucial word for understanding the relationship between divine sovereignty and the human condition.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 22 occurrences, inflected in 13 grammatical forms.

  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 4×
  • Hiphil Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 3×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×

+ 1 rarer form

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 21 verses across 11 books. Most frequent in Exodus (4 verses).

4
Exodus
2
Leviticus
4
Numbers
1
2 Kings
1
Nehemiah
2
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Ecclesiastes
1
Isaiah
3
Jeremiah
1
Ezekiel

Verse Explorer

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