מְאֹד (me.od)
me.od
much
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 246 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word me’od carries the dual sense of physical strength and extreme degree. As a noun, it means might or force, describing power in action. As an adverb, it intensifies other words to mean exceedingly, very, or greatly. This flexibility allows it to describe both tangible energy and abstract magnitude.
Its most famous usage appears in the Shema, where Israel is commanded to love God with all their heart, soul, and me’od (Deuteronomy 6:5). Here, translators often render it as "strength," highlighting the total commitment of one’s physical resources. The word also serves as a superlative marker, appearing frequently in Genesis to describe creation as good or situations as severe.
The term originates from a root meaning vehemence or intensity. In idioms like “with all me’od,” it emphasizes the utmost limit of capability. This usage underscores that devotion and action should not be partial but complete, reflecting the full measure of what one possesses.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word me’od carries a beautiful duality. It can describe physical strength or might, but it also functions as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'exceedingly.' This flexibility reminds us that our faith involves both the power we draw from God and the depth of our response to Him. When Scripture uses this word, it often points to something beyond the ordinary—a magnitude that demands our full attention.
In Deuteronomy 6:5, Israel is called to love God with all their heart, soul, and me’od. Here, the term highlights total commitment, using one’s entire capacity and resources for devotion. It is not about partial effort but complete engagement. This word invites us to consider where we hold back and where we might offer more of ourselves in gratitude.
Whether describing the greatness of God’s reward or the severity of a situation, me’od underscores the seriousness of our spiritual journey. It encourages us to approach our relationship with God with honesty and vigor. Let this word inspire you to live with intentionality, recognizing that every action and emotion has weight in His eyes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 246 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- exceedingly136×
- very99×
- muchness17×
- with/ muchness4×
- much2×
- very many1×
- very great1×
- strength/ your1×
- strength/ his1×
- <to>/ muchness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְאֹֽד\׃73×
- מְאֹ֑ד72×
- מְאֹ֔ד41×
- מְאֹ֖ד25×
- מְאֹד֙9×
- מְאֹ֗ד8×
- מְאֹ֜ד5×
- מְאֹֽד\׃\ \פ4×
- מְאֹ֣ד4×
- מְאֹד֒3×
- מְאֹ֥ד3×
- בִּ/מְאֹ֣ד3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 15:1
After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
This verse uses me’od to describe God as an 'exceedingly great reward,' emphasizing the surpassing value of divine presence over earthly gain.
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Genesis 26:16
Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”
Abimelech acknowledges Isaac is 'much mightier' than his people, showing how me’od can quantify physical or social strength in a comparative context.
-
Genesis 34:7
The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he had done folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter, a thing that ought not to be done.
The men of Israel were 'very angry' at the injustice done to Dinah, illustrating the word’s use to intensify strong human emotions like outrage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does me’od mean in the Bible?
How is me’od different from other words for 'great'?
Where does me’od appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (246 verses across 26 books)
Genesis 32 verses
God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth…
Genesis 4:5but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
Genesis 7:18The waters rose, and increased greatly on the earth; and the ship floated on the surface of the waters.
Genesis 7:19The waters rose very high on the earth. All the high mountains that were under the whole sky were covered.
Genesis 12:14When Abram had come into Egypt, some Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.
Genesis 13:2Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
Genesis 13:13Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Yahweh.
Genesis 15:1After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your…
Genesis 17:2I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
Genesis 17:6I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
Genesis 17:20As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him…
Genesis 18:20Yahweh said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous,
Genesis 19:3He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked…
Genesis 19:9They said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one fellow came in to live as a foreigner, and he appoints himself a…
Genesis 20:8Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were…
Genesis 21:11The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son.
Genesis 24:16The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her…
Genesis 24:35Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. Yahweh has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male…
Genesis 26:13The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great.
Genesis 26:16Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”
Genesis 27:33Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it to me, and I have eaten of…
Genesis 27:34When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father,…
Genesis 30:43The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
Genesis 34:7The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he…
Genesis 34:12Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife.”
Genesis 41:19and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of…
Genesis 41:31and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason of that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous.
Genesis 41:49Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.
Genesis 47:13There was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan…
Genesis 47:27Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they got themselves possessions therein, and were…
Genesis 50:9Both chariots and horsemen went up with him. It was a very great company.
Genesis 50:10They came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and there they lamented with a very great and…