מַעֲדַי
𐤌𐤏𐤃𐤉
Maaday
H4572 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Maadai is a proper name referring to an individual Israelite mentioned in post-exilic genealogical records. The name itself likely carries the sense of 'ornamental' or 'adorned' due to its connection to the root עָדָה, which means to adorn or decorate. As a proper name, it primarily functions as an identifier rather than describing character or occupation.
Semantic Range
a personal name bearing the connotation of 'ornament' or 'adorned'; does not function as a common noun; specific to a post-exilic Israelite individual
Root / Etymology
From the root עָדָה (to adorn, ornament), with the nominal prefix מַ- (ma-) commonly forming nouns, especially proper names, meaning 'ornament' or 'my ornament'. The exact morphological structure is somewhat uncertain, but its derivation from עָדָה is generally accepted among lexicographers.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Maadai appears in Nehemiah 12:5 as one of the priestly families returning in the post-exilic period. The use of ornamental or adornment-related roots in personal names is attested elsewhere in biblical Hebrew (e.g., names like Maadiah, which shares the root). The specificity of the name to this individual in a genealogical context limits broader semantic expansion; it does not function as a common noun or descriptor in Scripture. Translation traditions may transliterate the name directly, sometimes using anglicized forms like 'Maadai,' retaining no descriptive content.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָדָה; ornamental; Maadai, an Israelite; Maadai.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עדה (ʿ-d-h) — to adorn, to decorate, to ornament
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H112 | אִדּוֹ | Timely One |
| H4573 | מַעֲדְיָה | Yahweh-is-Ornament |
| H5709 | עֲדָא | they caused to pass away |
| H5710 | עָדָה | Adorned One |
| H5711 | עָדָה | Adorned One |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4572-01 |
מַעֲדַ֥י | maaday | HNp |
Maadai | Adorned One | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4572-01 |
Ezra 10:34 | מַעֲדַ֥י | maaday | HNp |
Maadai | Adorned One |