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מַדְמֵנָה (mad.me.nah)

mad.me.nah

dunghill

H4087 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun madmenah refers to a specific location for waste: a dunghill, dung pit, or dung heap. It appears only once in the Bible, in Isaiah 25:12, where it describes the fate of a fortified city’s high walls. The image is stark and visceral, reducing human pride and military strength to mere refuse.

This rare usage highlights the word’s theological weight rather than its frequency. By placing the destruction of a proud city on a dunghill, the text emphasizes total humiliation. What was once elevated and secure is now cast down into the lowest, most defiled place imaginable, serving as a powerful metaphor for the reversal of human status before God.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word madmenah appears only once in Scripture, describing a dunghill or dung heap. In Isaiah 25:10, it illustrates how God reduces proud fortifications to worthless waste. This stark image reminds us that human strength and status are temporary.

When we face situations where our plans seem to crumble, this verse offers comfort. It shows that God is not intimidated by earthly power. What looks like defeat may simply be the removal of obstacles that hindered His purpose.

We can trust that God sees beyond surface appearances. He values humility over pride and faithfulness over force. This perspective helps us find peace when our own efforts fall short, knowing that God’s work remains steady and true.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • a dung hill1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • מַדְמֵנָֽה\׃1×

Key Verses

  • Isaiah 25:10
    For Yahweh’s hand will rest in this mountain. Moab will be trodden down in his place, even like straw is trodden down in the water of the dunghill.

    This verse uses the word to depict Moab's pride being crushed like straw in a dung pit, emphasizing total humiliation before God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does madmenah mean in the Bible?

Madmenah is a Hebrew noun meaning dunghill or dung heap. It appears only once in Isaiah 25:10, where it symbolizes the lowly state of a defeated and proud nation.

Why is this word significant if it appears only once?

Its rarity highlights its theological weight. The image of a fortified city reduced to a dung heap powerfully illustrates God's judgment on pride and the reversal of human status.

How does this verse relate to Christian faith today?

It reminds believers that God opposes pride and exalts the humble. When we feel insignificant or defeated, we can trust that God uses such moments to display His sovereignty and grace.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Isaiah 1 verse
Isaiah 25:10

For Yahweh’s hand will rest in this mountain. Moab will be trodden down in his place, even like straw is trodden down…