מְדָנִי
𐤌𐤃𐤍𐤉
Medani
H4092 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Denotes a native or descendant of Midian (Mîdān), referring specifically to people belonging to the ethnic group of Midianites; used as a gentilic adjective or noun. The term identifies an individual of Midianite heritage, frequently employed in genealogical or narrative contexts to distinguish between groups inhabiting the same or neighboring regions as the Israelites.
Semantic Range
Midianite person, member of Midianite group, descendant of Midian, person from the land of Midian
Root / Etymology
From the root מדן (mdn), a variant spelling or gentilic formation based on מִדְיָן (Midian), itself possibly from an ancient Northwest Semitic base, though the deeper etymology is uncertain. מְדָנִי (Medani) functions as a gentilic adjective formed by suffixed ִי to a place or personal name, indicating 'of or pertaining to Midian.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
מְדָנִי is a textual variant or alternative spelling for the more common מִדְיָנִי (Midianite). Both refer to members of the ethnolinguistic group known as the Midianites, who appear frequently in Israelite narratives, especially in patriarchal and exodus-related texts. The distinction between מְדָנִי and מִדְיָנִי arises from manuscript variation or dialectal pronunciation shifts, not from substantive sociopolitical differences. In earlier periods, the term marks a boundary between the Israelites and their neighbors in the Transjordan and northwest Arabian regions. Later biblical usage retains its function as an ethnic identifier. The term 'Midianite' is the standard English translation and accurately conveys the historical meaning, though the biblical Midianites likely included a confederation of clans and were not a monolithic nation-state. English translations and tradition sometimes use 'Midianite' for both מִדְיָנִי and מְדָנִי without distinction.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a variation of מִדְיָנִי; {a Midjanite or descendant (native) of Midjan}; Midianite.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מדן (m-d-n) — to judge, to strive; by extension Midian as a personal/place name
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4068 | מָדוֹן | Madon |
| H4079 | מִדְיָן | Midianites |
| H4080 | מִדְיָן | in Midyan |
| H4084 | מִדְיָנִי | the Midyanite |
| H4090 | מְדָן | Medans |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4092-01 |
וְ/הַ֨/מְּדָנִ֔ים | vehamedanim | HC/Td/Ngmpa |
the Midianites | and the Midianites | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4092-01 |
Genesis 37:36 | וְ/הַ֨/מְּדָנִ֔ים | vehamedanim | HC/Td/Ngmpa |
the Midianites | and the Midianites |