מָעוֹן
an abode, of God (the Tabernacle or the Temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מָעוֹן (mâʻôwn) primarily means 'dwelling place' or 'habitation.' It most often refers to God's holy abode, such as the Tabernacle (Psalm 26:8) or the heavenly temple (Deuteronomy 26:15; 2 Chronicles 30:27). It can also describe the homes of people (1 Samuel 2:32) or the dens and lairs of wild animals (Psalm 104:22). In a figurative sense, it denotes a place of refuge or asylum, emphasizing security and retreat.
Biblical Usage
מָעוֹן is used 19 times in the Old Testament, primarily in poetic and prophetic books like Psalms and Chronicles. Its most significant usage is theological, referring to God's dwelling place among His people (e.g., 2 Chronicles 36:15). It appears in historical narratives for human habitations (1 Chronicles 4:41) and in wisdom literature for animal dens. The context determines whether it signifies a divine, human, or animal abode.
Etymology
The word derives from the root עָוַן (ʿāwan, H5772), which relates to 'iniquity' but in this nominal form shifted to mean 'dwelling' or 'habitation,' possibly from the idea of a place where one resides or 'bends down.' The variant מָעִין (maʿîn) appears in 1 Chronicles 4:41. Cognates in other Semitic languages also convey meanings of dwelling or shelter.
Semantic Range
מָעוֹן is theologically significant as it highlights God's immanence—His desire to dwell with His people. References to God's 'habitation' (e.g., Psalm 68:5) underscore His presence in worship and covenant relationship. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing the biblical theme of God seeking a home among humanity, which culminates in the New Testament concept of God dwelling in believers through the Spirit.
In ancient Israelite culture, a 'dwelling place' conveyed stability, security, and identity. God's מָעוֹן, whether the Tabernacle or Temple, was the central point of national worship and divine encounter. For people and animals, it implied a secure home or lair, essential for survival in a nomadic and agrarian society. This contrasts with modern, more transient concepts of home.
מִשְׁכָּן (mishkān, H4908) — a tabernacle or dwelling, often specifically the Tabernacle as God's portable sanctuary. זְבוּל (zᵉḇûl, H2073) — a lofty dwelling or habitation, frequently used for God's exalted abode. שָׁכַן (shākhan, H7931) — the verb 'to dwell,' emphasizing the action of inhabiting.
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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