from עָנָה, in the sense of depression or tilling; a furrow; [phrase] acre, furrow.
Transliteration:maʻănâh
Pronunciation:mah-an-aw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מַעֲנָה (maʻănâh - `{{H4618}}`) is derived from the root עָנָה (ʻānâh - `{{H6030}}`), which carries a broad semantic range including "to answer," "to afflict," "to humble," or "to sing." In the context of מַעֲנָה, the nuance of עָנָה is specifically understood as "depression" or "tilling," implying the act of pressing down or making an impression in the earth. Thus, the primary and most literal meaning of מַעֲנָה is a "furrow"—the trench or groove made in the soil by a plow. This definition is deeply rooted in an agricultural context, representing the foundational act of preparing land for cultivation.
Beyond the literal furrow, מַעֲנָה can also denote a measure of land, specifically "an acre" or "a strip of land." This extended meaning likely arises from the practical application of tilling, where a furrow defines a unit of work or a portion of a field. The concept encapsulates both the physical act of shaping the earth and the resulting defined area.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
מַעֲנָה (`{{H4618}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering distinct contextual insights:
1. **[[1 Samuel 14:14]]**: "And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow of an acre of land." (KJV, slightly modified for clarity). The phrase "כְּחֵצִי מַעֲנָה צֶמֶד שָׂדֶה" (ke-chetzî maʻănâh tzemeth sadeh) is notoriously difficult to translate precisely. It literally means "like half a furrow of a yoke of a field." The ambiguity lies in whether מַעֲנָה here refers to a literal furrow or a unit of land measure. Translations vary widely, from "half a furrow's length" (NIV) to "a strip of land" (NRSV) or "an acre of land" (KJV). Regardless of the exact measurement, the context describes the small, confined area where Jonathan and his armor-bearer achieved their initial victory. It underscores the intensity and precision of their attack within a limited space, perhaps indicating the distance a yoke of oxen would plow in half a day, or simply a small, defined plot.
2. **[[Psalm 129:3]]**: "The plowers ploughed upon my back: they made long their furrows." This occurrence is profoundly metaphorical and highly evocative. The Psalmist laments the intense and prolonged suffering inflicted by oppressors, likening the human back to a field being plowed. The "furrows" on the back represent the deep, painful wounds, scars, and systematic affliction endured. The image conveys not just pain, but a deliberate, repetitive, and dehumanizing process of oppression. The phrase "they made long their furrows" emphasizes the duration and thoroughness of the suffering, suggesting a sustained period of torment that leaves lasting marks.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary conceptual link for מַעֲנָה (`{{H4618}}`) is its root, עָנָה (ʻānâh - `{{H6030}}`). While עָנָה often means "to answer" or "to respond," it also carries the sense of "to humble," "to afflict," or "to oppress." This latter sense is particularly relevant to the metaphorical use of מַעֲנָה in [[Psalm 129:3]]. The act of "plowing" one's back is a form of deep affliction, aligning with the root's capacity to denote suffering and humiliation. The physical act of making a depression in the earth for a furrow can be seen as a "humbling" or "afflicting" of the soil, preparing it for new life.
Other related agricultural terms include שָׂדֶה (sadeh - `{{H7704}}`, "field"), which is explicitly mentioned alongside מַעֲנָה in [[1 Samuel 14:14]]. The act of "plowing" is חָרִישׁ (charish - `{{H2758}}`), and another word for "furrow" is תֶּלֶם (telem - `{{H8524}}`), though תֶּלֶם is less common. The concept of a "yoke" (צֶמֶד - tsemeth - `{{H6776}}`) is also related, as it refers to the pair of animals used for plowing, further grounding מַעֲנָה in the agricultural sphere.
Thematically, מַעֲנָה connects to biblical concepts of labor and provision, as agriculture was central to ancient Israelite life and a primary means of sustenance provided by God. Conversely, its metaphorical use links it to themes of suffering, persecution, and the lament of the righteous in the face of oppression, a recurring motif throughout the Psalms and prophetic literature.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מַעֲנָה (`{{H4618}}`) unfolds through its dual application.
Firstly, in its literal sense, מַעֲנָה speaks to the **dignity and necessity of human labor** within God's created order. The act of tilling the soil, creating furrows for planting, is a fundamental aspect of human stewardship over the earth, reflecting the divine mandate given in Genesis. It is through such diligent labor that the earth yields its produce, a testament to God's ongoing provision for humanity. The furrow, though a simple depression, is the foundational step for life-sustaining harvest, symbolizing the diligent effort required for the flourishing of life.
Secondly, and perhaps more profoundly, the metaphorical use in [[Psalm 129:3]] carries immense **theological weight regarding suffering and persecution**. The image of "plowers plowing upon my back" portrays an experience of profound, deliberate, and sustained affliction. This metaphor highlights:
* **The reality of oppression**: It acknowledges the brutal and dehumanizing nature of persecution faced by God's people throughout history.
* **The depth of suffering**: "Long furrows" signify not superficial wounds, but deep, lasting scars, both physical and emotional, inflicted by oppressors.
* **Divine awareness**: Though the Psalmist laments the suffering, the very act of voicing it in prayer implies a belief in a God who sees and hears the cries of the afflicted. This sets the stage for an appeal to divine justice and deliverance.
* **The potential for spiritual fruit**: While agonizing, the "furrows" of suffering, like those in a field, can paradoxically prepare the ground for future spiritual growth, resilience, or ultimate vindication. Just as a field must be broken to bear fruit, so too can trials, when endured with faith, lead to deeper dependence on God and a more profound understanding of His faithfulness.
### Summary
מַעֲנָה (maʻănâh - `{{H4618}}`) is a Hebrew word rooted in the concept of "depression" or "tilling" from עָנָה (`{{H6030}}`). Its primary meaning is a "furrow," the trench made by a plow, and by extension, a measure of land like an "acre" or "strip." Biblically, it appears in two distinct contexts: [[1 Samuel 14:14]] where it likely refers to a small, defined area of land, emphasizing the scale of an initial military engagement; and [[Psalm 129:3]] where it serves as a powerful metaphor for the deep, sustained, and painful suffering inflicted by oppressors, likening the human back to a field being brutally plowed.
Theological significance stems from these dual applications. In its literal sense, מַעֲנָה underscores the importance of human labor in agriculture and God's provision. Metaphorically, it vividly portrays the reality of affliction experienced by the righteous, highlighting the depth of their suffering while implicitly pointing towards divine awareness and the hope of ultimate vindication or spiritual fruit born from trial. מַעֲנָה thus encapsulates both the foundational acts of physical labor and the profound depths of human experience, particularly in the face of adversity.
TRV