מוּד
𐤌𐤅𐤃
mûwd
H4128 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To reel, stagger, or totter—primarily describing unsteady, wavering, or swaying movement as a result of instability. In extended senses, can refer to objects, persons, or even societies that are unsettled, tremble, or are uncertain in their position. In rare cases, associated (in derived forms) with the act of extending or measuring, but this is generally considered a secondary or disputed meaning.
Semantic Range
to shake, to reel, to totter, to stagger (physically or metaphorically), to tremble, to be uncertain or unstable, measure (disputed/rare)
Root / Etymology
Root: מוּד. Derived from the root meaning 'to move unsteadily' or 'to shake.' The basic verbal form denotes physical unsteadiness, instability, or wavering. Some lexica have suggested a secondary root meaning related to 'measuring' or 'stretching,' but this is debated and regarded as less primary than the sense of instability.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מוּד appears chiefly in poetical or wisdom literature, describing both literal physical shaking or staggering (such as the earth or an individual) and metaphorical instability (such as social upheaval, injustice, or emotional wavering). The word is rare, and most occurrences stress a lack of firmness or certainty. The meaning 'measure' derives from later interpretations and may reflect the notion of 'stretching out to measure,' but this is contextually rare and much less certain than the primary sense of instability. Strong's gloss folded in this secondary meaning based on limited evidence. The distinction between physical and metaphorical shaking is context-dependent; unlike some roots for 'tremble' or 'quake' (e.g., רגז, רעש), מוּד focuses on loss of balance rather than violent shaking or terror. English translations often render the term as 'shake,' 'stagger,' or 'totter,' but sometimes obscure the nuanced, unstable sense in metaphorical contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to shake; measure.
Bantu Hebrew
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מוד (m-w-d) — shake, totter, stagger, waver
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4128-01 |
וַ/יְמֹ֣דֶד | vayemoded | HC/Vow3ms |
and measured | and he violently shook | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4128-01 |
Habakkuk 3:6 | וַ/יְמֹ֣דֶד | vayemoded | HC/Vow3ms |
and measured | and he violently shook |