מַעֲדְיָה
𐤌𐤏𐤃𐤉𐤄
Maadeyah
H4573 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Maʻădyâh is a proper name designating an Israelite individual; it is constructed as a theophoric name, possibly meaning 'Yahweh is ornament' or 'ornamented by Yahweh.' As a personal name, it refers specifically to a figure listed among returnees from exile.
Semantic Range
proper name, theophoric name referring to an Israelite individual; no common noun usage
Root / Etymology
From the root ע-ד-ה (to adorn, ornament) with the theophoric element יָהּ (a shortened form of Yahweh), yielding a name that means 'Yahweh is ornament' or possibly 'adornment of Yahweh.' The formation follows a common biblical pattern of combining verbal roots with divine names.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַעֲדְיָה occurs in post-exilic contexts (Nehemiah 12:5, 17), designating an Israelite among the priestly families returning from Babylonian exile. Its use as a theophoric name aligns with naming practices that emphasize relationship with, or attributes of, the Israelite deity (Yahweh). The precise nuance of 'adornment' or 'ornament' conveys a sense of being honored or made beautiful by divine association, a common motif in Israelite names. The term does not appear as a common noun and is not used outside of the personal name context in the Hebrew Bible. English translations often transliterate the name, sometimes rendering it as 'Maadiah,' but this does not reflect any particular tradition beyond phonetic transfer. Maʻădyâh is not synonymous with מוֹעַדְיָה (Moʻadyah), though the names are structurally similar and both incorporate the same theophoric element. No significant semantic shift occurs, as use is limited to post-exilic genealogical lists.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָדָה and יָהּ; ornament of Jah; Maadjah, an Israelite; Maadiah. Compare מוֹעַדְיָה.
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 ornament, to decorate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H112 | אִדּוֹ | Timely One |
| H4572 | מַעֲדַי | Adorned One |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4573-01 |
מַֽעַדְיָ֖ה | maadeyah | HNp |
Maadiah | Yahweh-is-Ornament | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4573-01 |
Nehemiah 12:5 | מַֽעַדְיָ֖ה | maadeyah | HNp |
Maadiah | Yahweh-is-Ornament |