מוּעָדָה (mu.a.dah)
mu.a.dah
designated
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun muʿādah means a city that has been officially designated or set apart for a specific purpose. In the Bible, this term appears only once, in Joshua 20:9, where it describes the six cities of refuge established across Israel.
These were not random towns but locations chosen by divine instruction to provide safety for someone who had killed another person unintentionally. The word highlights that these places were formally appointed, creating a structured system of justice and mercy within the land.
By using muʿādah, the text emphasizes that protection was not left to chance or local custom but was a deliberate, organized provision. This single usage underscores the importance of order and fairness in Israel’s legal and social framework.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word muʿādah points to something set apart with clear purpose. In Joshua 20:9, it describes cities chosen by God as places of safety for those who caused accidental harm. This was not a random arrangement but a deliberate system designed to protect life and ensure fairness.
For your faith, this shows that God cares about justice and mercy working together. He did not leave protection to chance or human whim. Instead, He provided structured refuge, reminding us that order in society reflects His character. Even in moments of crisis, there is a designated place for safety and truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ appointing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מּֽוּעָדָ֜ה1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 20:9
These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the alien who lives among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stands trial before the congregation.
This verse uses muʿādah to show that the cities were formally appointed by divine instruction, not chosen locally.