מָזוֹן
food
Definition
The Hebrew noun מָזוֹן (mâzôwn) refers specifically to 'food' or 'nourishment' that sustains life. It denotes provisions, often of a substantial or stored nature, intended for sustenance. In Genesis 45:23, it describes the 'food' (KJV: 'meat') Joseph sends to his father, likely referring to choice provisions for the journey. In 2 Chronicles 11:23, it is used for 'victuals' or supplies, indicating the prudent distribution of food resources to his sons by Rehoboam.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament. Its usage is specific to contexts of provisioning or supplying nourishment. In Genesis 45:23, it appears in a narrative about Joseph providing for his family during famine, denoting a gift of sustenance. In 2 Chronicles 11:23, it describes King Rehoboam strategically apportioning food supplies among his sons. Both instances involve careful, intentional distribution of life-sustaining provisions.
Etymology
מָזוֹן (mâzôwn) is derived from the root זוּן (zûn, H2109), which means 'to feed,' 'nourish,' or 'sustain.' This root conveys the action of providing what is necessary for life. The noun form מָזוֹן thus signifies the 'object' or 'result' of that action—the food itself. Cognate words appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings related to sustenance.
Semantic Range
While a concrete term for 'food,' מָזוֹן connects to the broader biblical theme of God as the ultimate provider. Its root (זוּן) is used in passages like Psalm 147:9, where God 'gives food' to every creature. Understanding this word enriches reading by highlighting that physical sustenance is not merely a human concern but is rooted in divine provision and care, a concept foundational to prayers for 'daily bread.'
In the ancient Near East, secure food supplies were critical for survival, especially in agrarian societies vulnerable to famine. מָזוֹן likely implied more than just any meal; it could suggest stored or portable provisions for travel (as in Genesis 45:23) or strategic family reserves (2 Chronicles 11:23). This differs from a modern, casual understanding of 'food,' emphasizing planned sustenance for stability and survival.
לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — 'bread' or general food, the most common term for sustenance. אֹכֶל (ʾokel, H400) — 'food' or 'eating,' often referring to the act or item of consumption. מַאֲכָל (maʾăkāl, H3978) — 'food' or 'something eaten,' from the root 'to eat.'
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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