מָנָה
𐤌𐤍𐤄
mânâh
H4487 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To count, reckon, or number with attention and intent; to appoint or assign by deliberate choice or authority. The term encompasses the action of assigning roles, duties, or destinies, as well as setting aside or preparing, particularly in administrative, ritual, or judicial contexts. In some usages, it conveys the sense of evaluation or weighing implications for individuals or groups.
Semantic Range
to count, to number, to enumerate, to appoint to a position or office, to assign or allot (a portion, fate, time), to set aside, to prepare, to designate officially
Root / Etymology
From the root מנה, which in its core sense denotes measuring, counting, or apportioning. The verb מָנָה derives from this root and expands its meaning from the physical act of counting or measuring to the abstract assignment or appointment of persons, times, or fates. The semantic shift from enumeration to official appointment reflects the process by which something is counted out for a dedicated purpose.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מָנָה is used both in mundane contexts (e.g., counting persons for a census, numbering provisions) and in more formal or solemn acts (e.g., appointing someone to a position, designating a period of time, or determining a person's fate). In narratives, the term often conveys a sense of deliberate action, whether by human agents (leaders, officials) or by divine authority (decreeing or assigning destinies). For example, in Daniel and Ezra, the sense of appointment or official counting is prominent in administrative settings. The term can overlap with פָּקַד (paqad, "to attend to, appoint, muster"), yet מָנָה more directly stresses the aspect of measured assignment or enumeration. English translations sometimes obscure the word's range by limiting it to 'number' or 'appoint,' missing the overlap in Hebrew between counting and choosing or assigning. In later periods, derivative nouns (e.g., מָנָה 'portion, lot') reflect the notion of an allotted or assigned share, rooted in the same semantic domain.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll; appoint, count, number, prepare, set, tell.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מנה (m-n-h) — to count, to assign, to appoint
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4482 | מֵן | with strings |
| H4488 | מָנֶה | the appointed measure |
| H4489 | מֹנֶה | measured intervals |
| H4490 | מָנָה | the assigned portion |
| H4503 | מִנְחָה | with the apportioned offering |
Word Forms
16 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4487-13 |
וַ/יְמַ֤ן | vayeman | HC/Vpw3ms |
and appointed | and he appointed | 5 |
H4487-02 |
לִ/מְנוֹת֙ | limenot | HR/Vqc |
to number | to count out | 5 |
H4487-07 |
מִנָּ֔ה | minah | HVpp3ms |
has appointed | he formally appointed | 2 |
H4487-15 |
יִמָּנֶֽה | yimaneh | HVNi3ms |
can be numbered | he will be counted | 2 |
H4487-09 |
מוֹנֶ֖ה | moneh | HVqrmsa |
He counts | the counting one | 2 |
H4487-16 |
יִמָּנ֖וּ | yimanu | HVNi3mp |
numbered | they will be counted | 2 |
H4487-06 |
מְנֵ֥ה | meneh | HVqv2ms |
number | Count! | 1 |
H4487-08 |
מִנּוּ | minu | HVpp3cp |
are appointed | they appointed | 1 |
H4487-03 |
מַ֣ן | man | HVpv2ms |
should be prepared | what-is-it food | 1 |
H4487-12 |
וּ/מָנִ֨יתִי | umaniti | HC/Vqp1cs |
and-I-will-destine | and I appointed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
28 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4487-02 |
Genesis 13:16 | לִ/מְנוֹת֙ | limenot | HR/Vqc |
to number/count | to count out |
H4487-15 |
Genesis 13:16 | יִמָּנֶֽה | yimaneh | HVNi3ms |
will be numbered | he will be counted |
H4487-04 |
Numbers 23:10 | מָנָה֙ | manah | HVqp3ms |
can count | he counted out |
H4487-06 |
2 Samuel 24:1 | מְנֵ֥ה | meneh | HVqv2ms |
number | Count! |
H4487-15 |
1 Kings 3:8 | יִמָּנֶ֛ה | yimaneh | HVNi3ms |
can be numbered | he will be counted |
H4487-16 |
1 Kings 8:5 | יִמָּנ֖וּ | yimanu | HVNi3mp |
numbered | they will be counted |
H4487-11 |
1 Kings 20:25 | תִֽמְנֶה | timeneh | HVqi2ms |
number | you will count out |
H4487-14 |
2 Kings 12:11 | וַ/יִּמְנ֔וּ | vayimenu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they counted | and they appointed |
H4487-10 |
Isaiah 53:12 | נִמְנָ֑ה | nimenah | HVNp3ms |
he was numbered | he was counted |
H4487-12 |
Isaiah 65:12 | וּ/מָנִ֨יתִי | umaniti | HC/Vqp1cs |
and-I-will-destine | and I appointed |