מָעוֹן

מָעוֹן

Maon, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine

Definition

Maon (מָעוֹן) is a proper noun referring primarily to a town in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:55) and to a descendant of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:45). As a place, it was a significant location in the wilderness of Judah, famously associated with Nabal, whose foolishness provoked David while David was hiding there from King Saul (1 Samuel 25:2). The term also extends to the 'Maonites' (Judges 10:12), a people group who oppressed Israel, showing the name could denote both a specific locale and an ethnic group connected to it.

Biblical Usage

The word is used six times in the Old Testament. It appears as a geographical location within the tribal allotment of Judah in Joshua 15:55. Its most narrative-rich usage is in 1 Samuel, where it is the setting for David's encounter with Nabal and Abigail (1 Samuel 23:24-25, 25:2). It also refers to a people group, the Maonites, listed among the oppressors of Israel in Judges 10:12. Finally, it identifies a person, a Calebite named Maon, in the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 2:45.

Etymology

Maon derives from the common noun מָעוֹן (maʿon, H4583), meaning 'dwelling,' 'habitation,' or 'refuge.' This root conveys the idea of a settled or secure residence. As a place name, it literally means 'Dwelling' or 'Habitation.' The related gentilic form מְעוּנִי (Meʿuniy, H4586) means 'Maonite,' referring to an inhabitant of Maon.

Semantic Range

The name Maon, meaning 'dwelling,' takes on ironic theological depth in the narrative of 1 Samuel. While David sought refuge and provision (a 'dwelling' of safety) in the wilderness of Maon, he was met with hostility from Nabal, whose name means 'fool.' This contrast highlights God's providence; though the location failed to provide security, God used the crisis to introduce Abigail, who became an instrument of wisdom and preservation, ultimately guiding David away from vengeance. The story underscores that true refuge and dwelling are found in God's guidance and justice, not merely in a geographical location. As a town in the rugged Judean hill country, Maon was part of a pastoral and agricultural region. Its mention alongside Carmel (Joshua 15:55) and its association with the wealthy but foolish Nabal, a sheep owner (1 Samuel 25:2), paints a picture of a community involved in herding and likely trade in wool and meat. The 'Maonites' (Judges 10:12) were likely a Canaanite or desert tribe, representing one of the many local groups Israel contended with upon entering the land, illustrating the fragmented political and ethnic landscape of ancient Canaan. מָעוֹן (maʿon, H4583) — The common noun meaning 'dwelling' or 'habitation,' from which the proper name is derived. נָוֶה (naveh, H5116) — A poetic term for a pleasant habitation or pasture, often for flocks, with a more idyllic connotation than the functional מָעוֹן.

Word Details