מַעַן

properly, heed, i.e. purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically

Definition

The Hebrew word מַעַן (maʻan) is a noun meaning 'purpose' or 'heed,' but it is used almost exclusively as an adverb or conjunction to express intention or reason. It primarily introduces a clause explaining the motive or aim behind an action, often translated as 'in order that,' 'so that,' or 'for the sake of.' For example, in Genesis 12:13, Abraham asks Sarah to lie 'so that' (מַעַן) his life may be spared. It can also denote a causal sense, meaning 'because of' or 'on account of,' as seen in Genesis 18:24, where Abraham pleads for Sodom 'for the sake of' the righteous. This dual function highlights both the goal and the reason for an action.

Biblical Usage

מַעַן appears 252 times across the Old Testament, with high frequency in narrative, legal, and prophetic books like Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Isaiah. It is commonly used to express divine purpose, such as in Exodus 4:5 where God performs signs 'so that' the Israelites may believe. In prophetic literature, it often introduces the reason for God's judgment or blessing, emphasizing intentionality. A pattern emerges where it connects human actions to their intended outcomes or divine responses, reinforcing themes of causality and design in biblical events.

Etymology

מַעַן derives from the root עָנָה (ʿānâ, H6030), which broadly means 'to answer,' 'respond,' or 'be occupied with.' This root conveys the idea of attention or purpose, leading to מַעַן's sense of 'heed' or 'purpose.' Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic, show similar meanings related to 'because' or 'for the sake of,' indicating a shared linguistic heritage focused on intention and response.

Semantic Range

מַעַן is theologically significant as it underscores God's intentionality and sovereignty in biblical narrative. It frequently highlights divine purposes behind events, such as in Genesis 50:20 where Joseph declares that God intended evil 'for the sake of' (מַעַן) saving many lives. This word enriches Bible reading by revealing how actions—both human and divine—are woven into a purposeful plan, emphasizing themes of providence, covenant faithfulness, and the relational motives behind God's interactions with humanity.

In ancient Hebrew culture, מַעַן reflected a worldview where actions were deeply connected to intentions and outcomes, often within a covenantal framework. Unlike modern casual expressions of reason, it carried a weight of deliberate purpose, aligning with the cultural emphasis on wisdom and the consequences of behavior. Its usage in legal and prophetic contexts underscores the importance of understood motives in communal and divine relationships.

לְמַעַן (lᵉmaʻan, H4616) — a prefixed form meaning 'for the sake of,' often used interchangeably; כִּי (kî, H3588) — a broader conjunction for 'because' or 'that,' less focused on purpose; בַּעֲבוּר (baʿăḇûr, H5668) — similar to מַעַן, meaning 'on account of,' but with a stronger causal emphasis.

Word Details

Scripture References