from the same as מָתַי; properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural); [phrase] few, [idiom] friends, men, persons, [idiom] small.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **math**, represented by `{{H4962}}`, properly refers to an adult man, but is only used in the plural. It appears **22 times** across **21 unique verses** and often carries the implication of a small group, translating as **men**, **persons**, or idiomatically as **few**. This term is frequently used to quantify a group, highlighting their smallness or vulnerability.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4962}}` is often used to describe the humble beginnings or diminished state of a people. When Jacob's family lived among the Canaanites, he feared destruction because his household was "few in number" [[Genesis 34:30]]. This theme is repeated in the description of Israel's origins, where Jacob went down to Egypt with "a few" people before becoming a great nation [[Deuteronomy 26:5]]. Conversely, being reduced to a "few in number" is presented as a consequence of disobedience and scattering [[Deuteronomy 28:62]]. The term also describes specific groups, such as the "honourable men" of Judah who are famished in judgment [[Isaiah 5:13]] or the "inward friends" who abhorred Job [[Job 19:19]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the meaning and scope of `{{H4962}}`:
* `{{H4592}}` **mᵉʻaṭ** (a little or few): This term directly emphasizes the small quantity often associated with **math**. It is used alongside `{{H4962}}` to stress the smallness of the group, as when the Israelites first sojourned in Egypt "with a few" [[Deuteronomy 26:5]].
* `{{H802}}` **ʼishshâh** (woman): This word provides a direct contrast to the masculine focus of **math**. They appear together in accounts of total conquest, where the destruction encompasses "the men, and the women, and the little ones" [[Deuteronomy 2:34]].
* `{{H5971}}` **ʻam** (people): While **math** often denotes a small, countable group of men, **ʻam** refers to a people as a larger, congregated unit or nation. This contrast is seen when God's judgment falls upon his "people" `{{H5971}}`, causing their "honourable men" `{{H4962}}` to become famished [[Isaiah 5:13]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4962}}` is significant, often highlighting themes of vulnerability, judgment, and divine preservation.
* **Humility and Dependence:** The description of Israel's ancestors as "a few men in number" [[Psalms 105:12]] underscores their initial weakness and total dependence on God for protection and growth. God reassures his people by addressing them as "ye men of Israel," promising to help them in their vulnerable state [[Isaiah 41:14]].
* **Consequence of Sin:** A reduction to a few **men** is a recurring sign of divine judgment. Disobedience leads to being "left few in number among the heathen" [[Deuteronomy 4:27]], and iniquity leads to the "honourable men" facing famine and thirst [[Isaiah 5:13]].
* **The Remnant:** The term is used to describe the small group that survives judgment. After the destruction of Judah, only "a small number that escape the sword" `{{H4962}}` are prophesied to return from Egypt [[Jeremiah 44:28]], pointing to God's preservation of a remnant.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4962}}` is a specific term for **men** or **persons** that often carries a crucial nuance of smallness and vulnerability. It effectively portrays the humble beginnings of the Israelite nation, the severe consequences of divine judgment, and the hope of a preserved remnant. From describing Jacob's "few" family members [[Genesis 34:30]] to the "vain persons" one should avoid [[Psalms 26:4]], **math** illustrates how God works through the weak and judges the proud, providing a stark reminder of humanity's dependence on Him.
TRV