מָעַד
𐤌𐤏𐤃
mâʻad
H4571 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To totter or slip, to waver or stagger in footing, describing physical instability or unsteady movement, and by extension, also used metaphorically for wavering in resolve, judgement, or situation. The core physical sense is of movement away from an established or secure position, either by literal slipping or through circumstances leading to uncertainty or imperilment.
Semantic Range
to slip (physically), to totter, to stagger, to waver (literally or figuratively), to suffer instability or insecurity, to be on the verge of falling, to vacillate
Root / Etymology
Root מָעַד (maʻad) is a verb derived from the three-consonant Hebrew root מעד, which expresses the idea of slipping, tottering, or losing firmness. The root is primarily attested in verbal forms and appears to be related to a concrete sense of unstable footing or insecurity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מָעַד appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily in poetic and wisdom contexts, describing either literal slipping (such as a foot slipping) or metaphorical uncertainty and lack of steadfastness (as of a path, standing, or position). In Proverbs and Psalms it often appears in prayers or declarations concerning protection from physical or moral failure, preservation from danger, or divine support to prevent a fall. The root is less common than the related נָפַל (to fall) and focuses more on the process or danger of losing one's balance rather than the completed action of falling. Unlike other Hebrew terms for shaking or trembling (e.g., רָעַד, רָעַשׁ), מָעַד is specifically concerned with the unsteadiness or slipping that precedes or threatens a fall. Later translation traditions, including the Septuagint and Vulgate, often render it with verbs for waver, slip, or shake, but these may sometimes generalize the image, potentially losing the focus on the transitional or precarious nature of the movement. English translations frequently employ terms like 'slip,' 'stagger,' or 'totter,' aligning closely with the original sense. Usage does not appear to shift significantly across Israelite history, though the literary and metaphorical applications in late biblical poetry increase.
Translation Consistency
“Slip” best captures the primary physical sense (to slide, totter, or stagger) and naturally extends to the common figurative senses (to waver, falter, or be led into instability). It is the most common, natural English rendering across occurrences and fits both literal and metaphorical uses better than more specialized alternatives like “waver” or “stumble.”
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to waver; make to shake, slide, slip.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מעד (m-ʿ-d) — to slip, to totter, to waver in footing
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4154 | מוּעֶדֶת | dislocated |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4571-04 |
מָעֲד֖וּ | maadu | HVqp3cp |
have slipped | they slipped | they slipped | 2 |
H4571-05 |
תִמְעַ֣ד | timead | HVqi3fs |
will slip | she will totter | it will not slip | 1 |
H4571-03 |
לְ/מ֣וֹעֲדֵי | lemoadey | HR/Vqrmpc |
for the stumblers | for tottering ones | for the stumblers | 1 |
H4571-02 |
הַמְעַֽד | hamead | HVhv2ms |
shake | cause to slip | cause to slip | 1 |
H4571-01 |
אֶמְעָֽד | emead | HVqi1cs |
I shall slide | I will slip | I will not slip | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4571-04 |
2 Samuel 22:37 | מָעֲד֖וּ | maadu | HVqp3cp |
they slipped | they slipped | they slipped |
H4571-04 |
Psalms 18:37 | מָ֝עֲד֗וּ | maadu | HVqp3cp |
have slipped | they slipped | they slipped |
H4571-01 |
Psalms 26:1 | אֶמְעָֽד | emead | HVqi1cs |
I shall slide | I will slip | I will not slip |
H4571-05 |
Psalms 37:31 | תִמְעַ֣ד | timead | HVqi3fs |
will slip | she will totter | it will not slip |
H4571-02 |
Psalms 69:24 | הַמְעַֽד | hamead | HVhv2ms |
shake | cause to slip | cause to slip |
H4571-03 |
Job 12:5 | לְ/מ֣וֹעֲדֵי | lemoadey | HR/Vqrmpc |
for the stumblers | for tottering ones | for the stumblers |