Hebrew · Strong's H4058
מָדַד
(mah-DAD)
verb
To measure, often with a measuring line or reed, indicating an act of apportionment, assessment, or determination.
The Hebrew verb מָדַד (madad) primarily signifies "to measure," implying the use of a standard tool like a line or reed. Its core idea revolves around the determination of size, extent, or quantity. This can involve tangible objects, such as land or structures, or more abstract concepts, like the duration of time or the extent of God's power. The widespread use of measuring in ancient societies for construction, land division, and taxation makes this word a foundational term for understanding order and human endeavors.
In various biblical contexts, מָדַד carries a range of significance. It is frequently employed in the book of Ezekiel, particularly in chapters 40-42, where the prophet is commanded to measure the dimensions of the new temple. This detailed measurement underscores God's precise plans and the exactitude required in matters pertaining to Him. Beyond physical measurement, the term can also suggest divine assessment or judgment, where God "measures" the actions of people or nations, implying a standard against which they are judged.
The theological weight of מָדַד is evident in passages describing God as the ultimate measurer of creation. Isaiah 40:12 famously asks, "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with a span?" This highlights God's incomprehensible power and sovereignty over all things, contrasting it with humanity's limited capacity. The act of measuring by God emphasizes His comprehensive knowledge and control, reinforcing the theme of divine order and judgment throughout Scripture.
Common English renderings
- measure
- mete
- stretch
Key verses
"Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?"
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"Thus saith Jehovah: If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, then will I also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith Jehovah."
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"And he smote Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute."
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"Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about."
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"And, behold, a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed six cubits long, of a cubit and a handbreadth each: so he measured the thickness of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed."
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