מַדּוּעַ (mad.du.a)
mad.du.a
why?
H:IntgQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 66 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Intg
Word Overview
The Hebrew word madûaʿ asks "why" or "on what account." It appears sixty-six times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Jeremiah, Samuel, and Judges. Unlike simple questions about facts, this term probes for reasons, motives, or causes behind a situation or action.
Etymologically, it combines the word for "what" with a form of "to know," effectively meaning "what is known?" This construction suggests a search for understanding rather than mere curiosity. In Exodus 3:3, Moses uses it to ask God why he should turn aside to see the burning bush, seeking the reason behind the divine command.
Translators often render it as "why," "wherefore," or occasionally "how." Its presence in Job 21:4 highlights its use in rhetorical questioning, where the speaker wonders why others do not share their impatience. The word consistently directs attention to the underlying cause of an event.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word madûaʿ asks not just for facts, but for the heart behind an action. It is a search for understanding rather than simple curiosity. When we face difficult seasons or confusing circumstances, this question invites us to look deeper into our motives and God’s purposes.
In Exodus 3:3, Moses uses this term to ask why he should turn aside to see the burning bush. This shows that even holy questions can lead to divine encounters. We are not discouraged from seeking reasons when life feels unclear. Instead, we are invited to bring our honest confusion before God.
This word reminds us that God values transparency. Whether you are wondering about a past decision or a current struggle, bringing your 'why' into the light is an act of faith. It opens space for clarity and peace, helping you navigate uncertainty with trust in His guidance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 66 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- why?58×
- and/ why?9×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַדּ֖וּעַ10×
- מַדּ֗וּעַ8×
- מַדּוּעַ֩6×
- מַדּ֜וּעַ5×
- מַדּ֛וּעַ5×
- מַדּ֥וּעַ4×
- מַדּ֣וּעַ4×
- מַדּ֙וּעַ֙4×
- מַ֭דּוּעַ3×
- מַדּ֨וּעַ2×
- מַדּ֣וּעַ\׀2×
- וּ/מַדּ֥וּעַ2×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 3:3
Moses said, “I will go now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”
Moses uses this word to seek the reason behind a divine command, showing that questioning can lead to deeper revelation.
-
Genesis 26:27
Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?”
Isaac asks why his former enemies have returned, highlighting how this term probes for motives in strained relationships.
-
Judges 11:7
Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Didn’t you hate me, and drive me out of my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?”
Jephthah questions the elders' sudden change of heart, using the word to expose their inconsistent motives during distress.
-
Ruth 2:10
Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Ruth asks why she found favor as a foreigner, expressing humble wonder at unmerited kindness rather than demanding an explanation.