מָאן

a utensil

Definition

The Aramaic noun מָאן (mâʼn) refers to a vessel, utensil, or container, typically made for holding or transporting items. In the biblical context, it most often denotes the sacred vessels of gold and silver that were used in the temple worship service (Ezra 5:14, 6:5). These were not ordinary household items but consecrated objects for religious use. In the book of Daniel, the word is used for the goblets and drinking vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, which King Belshazzar and his court profanely used during a feast (Daniel 5:2-3).

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra and Daniel. Its usage consistently refers to temple vessels or royal drinking ware. In Ezra, the focus is on the restoration and inventory of the sacred temple vessels returned from Babylon (Ezra 5:14-15, 7:19). In Daniel 5, the vessels are central to the narrative of Belshazzar's feast and the divine judgment that follows their misuse (Daniel 5:2-3, 5:23).

Etymology

Derived from an Aramaic root corresponding to the Hebrew root אָנָה (ʾānâ, H579), which carries a sense of 'to be occupied' or 'to busy oneself,' and by extension, 'to contain.' The development suggests an object that encloses or holds something. It is a cognate of the more common Hebrew word for vessel, כְּלִי (kĕlî, H3627).

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant because it highlights the concepts of sacredness, profanation, and God's ownership. The temple vessels were set apart (holy) for God's service. Their theft and misuse by Babylonian kings (Daniel 5:2-3) represented a direct affront to God's holiness and sovereignty, leading to dramatic divine judgment. Their careful return and restoration (Ezra 1:7-11, 5:14-15) symbolize God's faithfulness in preserving both His people and the means of proper worship.

In the ancient Near East, vessels, especially those of precious metals, were symbols of wealth, power, and religious devotion. The specific 'vessels of the house of God' (Ezra 5:14) were not merely valuable artifacts; they were integral to the Israelite sacrificial system and temple rituals. Their seizure by a conquering power was a standard practice, signifying the defeat of the conquered people's god. Their use in a pagan feast (Daniel 5) was a profound act of cultural and religious contempt, treating holy objects as common party ware.

כְּלִי (kĕlî, H3627) — The common Hebrew term for a utensil, tool, or weapon; has a broader, more general application than the specifically cultic or royal connotation of מָאן.

Word Details

Scripture References