מְאֹד

properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily

Definition

The Hebrew word מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd) is an adverb of intensity meaning 'very,' 'exceedingly,' 'greatly,' or 'utterly.' It often functions as an intensifier, amplifying the degree of an adjective, verb, or another adverb, as in describing something as 'very good' (Genesis 1:31) or someone being 'very angry' (Genesis 4:5). When used with prepositions or in certain constructions, it can convey the sense of 'vehemently,' 'speedily,' or 'wholly.' Its intensive force is especially clear when it is repeated, as in 'exceedingly' (e.g., Genesis 7:18-19, describing the waters rising 'exceedingly' upon the earth).

Biblical Usage

מְאֹד appears 278 times across the Old Testament, with significant usage in the Pentateuch and historical books. It is most commonly employed as an adverbial intensifier. A key pattern is its use to emphasize superlative qualities, divine actions, or extreme human emotions. For example, it describes Abraham as 'very rich' (Genesis 13:2), the men of Sodom as 'exceedingly' wicked (Genesis 13:13), and God's reassurance to Abram as a 'very great' reward (Genesis 15:1). Its repetition doubles the intensity, a feature seen in narratives of great magnitude.

Etymology

Derived from the root אוד (ʼwd), which relates to a firebrand or brandishing, suggesting a sense of vehemence or forceful repetition. The noun form מְאֹד developed from this concept of intensity or repeated action into its primary adverbial function of expressing degree. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the meaning of 'strength' or 'much.'

Semantic Range

מְאֹד is theologically significant as it frequently amplifies descriptions of God's character, actions, and creation. In Genesis 1:31, God sees His creation as 'very good,' underscoring the perfection and completeness of His work. It intensifies human responses to God, such as Cain's 'very angry' reaction (Genesis 4:5), highlighting the gravity of sin. Understanding this intensifier enriches reading by revealing the emphatic nature of biblical language, whether describing divine blessing, human failing, or the extremity of historical events, pointing to a God who acts and relates with profound intensity.

In its ancient setting, מְאֹד conveyed a degree of extremity that modern translations sometimes soften. The repetition of the word was a recognized literary device for expressing the highest possible degree, a concept familiar in a culture that used parallelism and repetition for emphasis. This differs from some modern understatement.

יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — denotes 'excess' or 'abundance,' often what remains, while מְאֹד focuses on intensity of degree. מְאֹד (me'od, H3966) — (self-reference for clarity) is the primary intensifier. רַב (rab, H7227) — means 'many' or 'great' in quantity or size, whereas מְאֹד modifies the degree of a quality.

Word Details

Scripture References