מַדְמַנָּה (mad.man.nah)
mad.man.nah
Madmannah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Madmannah translates to "dunghill," a strikingly humble designation for both a person and a place in ancient Judah. In the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, it identifies a descendant of Caleb, son of Shaaph, grounding the family line in this unpretentious location or title.
Geographically, Madmannah was a town in the southern district of Judah, listed among the settlements allocated to the tribe. Remarkably, Joshua 15:31 notes that this same settlement was also known as Beth-marcaboth, meaning "house of chariots." This dual naming suggests a complex history for the site, perhaps reflecting different periods of use or distinct local traditions regarding its identity.
The juxtaposition of "dunghill" and "chariot house" highlights how place names in Scripture often preserve layered memories. While one name emphasizes agricultural lowliness, the other evokes military strength or wealth. The text preserves both labels without resolving the tension, allowing readers to see the full picture of the town’s identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Madmannah carries a meaning that stands in stark contrast to the glory often associated with ancient kings or warriors: it translates simply to "dunghill." In Joshua 15:31, this humble location is listed among the towns of Judah, reminding us that God’s work does not require grand stages. The presence of such a name in Scripture validates the ordinary and the overlooked, showing that every place and every person has a designated role in the broader narrative.
Interestingly, this same town was also known as Beth-marcaboth, or "house of chariots." This dual identity suggests that a place defined by agricultural lowliness could also hold military significance. It serves as a quiet reminder that our current circumstances do not limit our future potential. What seems small or insignificant in one season may become part of something much larger in another.
Similarly, 1 Chronicles 2:49 records Madmannah as the father of a descendant in Caleb’s line. This genealogical entry ensures that even those connected to humble places are remembered and valued by God. It encourages us to trust that our lineage, our history, and our daily lives are woven into a purposeful plan that we may not fully see but can confidently follow.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Madmannah1×
- Madmannah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַדְמַנָּ֔ה1×
- וּ/מַדְמַנָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 15:31
Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
This verse lists Madmannah among the southern towns of Judah, grounding the name in a specific geographic and tribal inheritance.
-
I Chronicles 2:49
She bore also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
Here the name identifies a patriarch in Caleb’s family line, showing how humble origins are preserved within sacred genealogies.