מָאֵן

The Hebrew verb מָאֵן (ma'en) broadly means "to refuse," encompassing a range of contexts from simple rejection to defiant disobedience. This refusal can be directed toward a person's request or command, the word of the Lord, or even comfort and instruction. The semantic range of this term includes a straightforward unwillingness to act, as when the prophet's neighbor refused to smite him (1 Kings 20:35), or when Pharaoh repeatedly refused to let the Israelites go (Exodus 4:23; 10:3). It can also convey a more profound rejection, such as when the people refused to obey Samuel (1 Samuel 8:19) or when Israel refused to hear the Lord's words (Jeremiah 11:10).

In some cases, the refusal carries significant moral or theological weight, highlighting human stubbornness or rebellion against divine will. For example, the description of those who "refuse to do judgment" (Proverbs 21:7) connects refusal with unrighteousness. Similarly, the refusal of the Israelites to release their captives (Jeremiah 50:33) stands in stark contrast to God's command for justice.

The term emphasizes a volitional act of saying "no," whether it is a king refusing to give up land (1 Kings 21:15), an individual refusing to eat (1 Samuel 28:23), or even a woman refusing to be comforted in her sorrow (Jeremiah 31:15). The nuances often depend on the object of the refusal and the surrounding context, but the core idea of declining or rejecting remains constant. The repeated use of ma'en in relation to Israel's disobedience underscores a consistent theme of human resistance to God's covenant and instruction throughout the Old Testament.