מָאן (man)
man
utensil
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word man refers to a vessel or utensil, often one made of precious metals like gold or silver. In Scripture, these objects were not merely decorative; they held profound spiritual significance as instruments set apart for the worship of God. When King Cyrus ordered their return from Babylon, it was more than a political decree—it was an act of restoration, ensuring that the tools for praising God were once again available in Jerusalem.
Yet the same vessels also appear in a stark warning to King Belshazzar. In Daniel 5, he used these holy items for a pagan feast, lifting himself up against the Lord of heaven. This contrast reminds us that objects are neutral, but our hearts determine whether we honor God or dishonor Him. Whether we hold something sacred or use it carelessly, the way we treat what belongs to God reveals the condition of our own souls.
This word invites us to examine how we steward the gifts and responsibilities placed in our hands. It is not about the material value of what we possess, but whether we use them to glorify the Creator who gave them. May we approach our daily duties with reverence, knowing that even ordinary moments can become acts of worship when offered with a faithful heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- vessels/ the2×
- [the] vessels of2×
- and/ vessels/ the1×
- and/ <obj.>/ vessels/ the1×
- <obj.>/ [the] vessels of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָאנֵ֣י2×
- מָאנַיָּ֣/א1×
- מָֽאנַיָּ֔/א1×
- לְ/מָאנֵי֙1×
- וּ/מָֽאנַיָּ/א֙1×
- וּ/לְ/מָֽאנַיָּ֨/א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 5:23
but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know; and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways.
This verse highlights the word's significance by contrasting the holy vessels with idolatry, showing how their use can reveal a heart that refuses to glorify God.
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Ezra 6:5
Also let the gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, everything to its place. You shall put them in God’s house.
Here the term appears in a decree for restoration, emphasizing that these utensils must be returned to their proper place in the temple to resume worship.
-
Daniel 5:3
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of God’s house which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them.
The narrative shows the vessels being brought into a royal feast, illustrating how sacred items were treated with disrespect by the king and his guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word man mean?
Why are these vessels important in the Bible?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (7 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 4 verses
The gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and…
Ezra 5:15He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in…
Ezra 6:5Also let the gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem…
Ezra 7:19The vessels that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.