מִדְיָן (mid.yan)
mid.yan
contention
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word midyan describes more than simple disagreement; it refers to active contention or strife that disrupts peace. In Proverbs, this term often highlights how difficult relationships can become when pride and anger take root. A contentious person does not just have an opinion but actively sows discord, making reconciliation as hard as breaking through a fortified city.
Understanding this word helps us see the weight of our words and actions in close relationships. It reminds us that strife is not a neutral state but something that damages trust and community. By recognizing the signs of contention, we can choose paths of humility and peace before conflicts escalate into lasting division.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- contentions8×
- and/ contentions1×
- [the] contentions of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים4×
- מִדְיָנִ֨ים1×
- מִדְיָנִ֥ים1×
- מִדְיָנִ֣ים1×
- מִדְיְנֵ֥י1×
- מִ֭דְיָנִים1×
- וּ֝/מִדְיָנִ֗ים1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 6:14
in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord.
This verse identifies the contentious person as one who actively devises evil continually, showing that strife is a deliberate character trait rather than an accidental outburst.
-
Proverbs 18:19
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
Here the word illustrates how deeply offensive behavior can be, comparing the difficulty of restoring a broken friendship to breaching a fortified city's defenses.
-
Proverbs 26:21
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
This metaphor compares a contentious man to fuel for a fire, explaining why such individuals tend to keep arguments alive and intensify existing tensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word midyan mean?
How is midyan different from a simple argument?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 1 books)
Proverbs 10 verses
in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord.
Proverbs 18:18The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
Proverbs 18:19A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
Proverbs 19:13A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
Proverbs 21:9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 21:19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
Proverbs 23:29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Proverbs 25:24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 26:21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
Proverbs 27:15A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike: