מֵמַד
a measure
Definition
The Hebrew noun מֵמַד (mêmad) refers specifically to a 'measure' or 'measuring line,' denoting a standard unit or instrument used for determining dimensions. It derives from the root meaning 'to measure' and carries the sense of a fixed standard or limit. In its sole biblical occurrence in Job 38:5, it is used by God in a rhetorical question to Job about the creation of the earth, asking, 'Who determined its measurements?' Here, it poetically conveys the divinely established, precise dimensions of the created world.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in the poetic book of Job. It is used in the context of God's sovereign act of creation, specifically in questioning Job about who set the limits and proportions of the earth. The usage is metaphorical, emphasizing God's wisdom and power in establishing the cosmic order.
Etymology
מֵמַד is a noun derived from the root מָדַד (mâdad, H4058), which means 'to measure, to stretch out.' It is related to other measurement terms like מִדָּה (middâ, H4060), meaning 'measure, extent.' The noun form implies the result or instrument of the measuring action.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it highlights God's role as the divine architect and establisher of creation's order. In Job 38:5, it underscores the doctrine of God's sovereignty and wisdom in setting the boundaries of the natural world, contrasting human limitation with divine omnipotence. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of this passage by emphasizing the precision and intentionality of God's creative work.
In ancient Israelite culture, measuring with lines or cords was a common practice for construction, land division, and trade. A 'measure' represented fairness, order, and divine allotment. In Job 38:5, the concept is elevated from everyday use to a cosmic scale, reflecting the belief that God applied the same principle of orderly measurement to the foundation of the world itself.
מִדָּה (middâ, H4060) — a more common term for a measure, dimension, or portion; often used for physical measurements. קָו (qâv, H6957) — a measuring line or cord, the physical tool used for measuring.
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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