מַדַּי
what (is) enough, i.e. sufficiently
Definition
The Hebrew word מַדַּי (madday) is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'what is enough?' or 'sufficiently.' It is used to inquire about the adequacy or sufficiency of something, often in the context of time or quantity. In its single biblical occurrence in 2 Chronicles 30:3, it appears in the phrase 'for they could not keep it at that time,' where 'at that time' (מַדַּי) conveys the idea of 'sufficiently' or 'in time enough.' The word essentially questions or states whether a condition or amount meets a necessary standard.
Biblical Usage
מַדַּי is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 30:3. It appears in a historical narrative explaining why the Passover could not be observed at the prescribed time. The context involves a logistical or timing issue—the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient numbers, and the people had not assembled in Jerusalem 'in time' (מַדַּי). This singular usage highlights a circumstance of insufficiency or lack of adequate preparation within a religious observance.
Etymology
מַדַּי is a compound word derived from the interrogative pronoun מָה (mah, H4100), meaning 'what,' and דַּי (day, H1767), meaning 'enough' or 'sufficiency.' The combination literally forms 'what is enough?' This construction is typical of Hebrew's ability to create specific interrogative or relative expressions by joining basic words. The root דַּי conveys the core concept of adequacy, which is intensified or questioned by the prefix.
Semantic Range
While מַדַּי itself is not a theologically heavy term, its use in 2 Chronicles 30:3 touches on themes of ritual purity, communal worship, and God's flexibility within covenant faithfulness. The verse explains a delay in keeping the Passover due to practical insufficiencies, yet King Hezekiah seeks to honor God despite the timing issue. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the biblical acknowledgment of human limitations and the importance of sincere intent, even when external conditions are not 'sufficient' according to strict legal standards.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of 'sufficiency' or 'enough time' was crucial for coordinating religious festivals that required pilgrimage, priestly preparation, and communal participation. The use of מַדַּי in 2 Chronicles reflects the practical challenges of organizing large-scale worship in a centralized temple system. It acknowledges that logistical realities could impede strict ritual timing, a concern that would have been very real for the community restoring worship after exile.
דַּי (day, H1767) — The root word meaning 'enough' or 'sufficiency,' without the interrogative force. מָה (mah, H4100) — The general interrogative 'what,' used in a wide range of questions. כִּי (ki, H3588) — Often translated 'for' or 'because,' it can introduce causal clauses like the one in 2 Chronicles 30:3, but does not convey the sense of sufficiency.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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