מַחְמָד (mach.mad)
mach.mad
desire
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mach.mad denotes a strong desire or something that is highly prized and pleasing to the senses. It appears eight times in the Old Testament, often describing objects of affection or admiration. In Song of Solomon, it refers to the beloved as an object of deep longing (Song 5:16), highlighting its positive connotation of cherished value.
The word also carries a nuanced sense of something desirable that might lead one astray if pursued improperly. In Lamentations, it describes the precious things stolen or destroyed during Jerusalem’s fall (Lam 2:7; 4:2), emphasizing their immense worth to the people. Hosea uses it to critique Israel’s idolatry, where they pursue false gods as if they were desirable treasures (Hos 9:6), showing how the term can mark misplaced devotion.
Its root relates to pleasure or delight, suggesting that mach.mad is not just a casual want but an intense attraction. Translators often render it as "desire," "precious thing," or "pleasantness," depending on context. This flexibility reflects its broad range from physical beauty to spiritual yearning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mach.mad points to what we hold most dear, whether it is a person who brings deep joy or treasures that once defined our security. In the Song of Solomon, it captures the profound affection between lovers, reminding us that God designed human connection to be a source of delight and mutual cherishing. This positive use shows that having strong desires for good things is not wrong; it reflects the beauty of creation.
Yet the Old Testament also warns when these desires shift toward idols or misplaced security. In Hosea and Lamentations, the same word describes precious objects lost to war or turned into false gods. This contrast invites us to examine our own hearts: are we anchoring our hope in temporary things that can be taken away, or in the One who remains constant? Recognizing what truly satisfies our soul helps us keep our affections aligned with lasting truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- treasure1×
- preciousness<es>/ its1×
- precious things/ their1×
- precious things/ her1×
- [the] precious things of1×
- [the] delights of1×
- [is] desirableness<es>1×
- <the> desirable thing of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַחְמַ֣ד2×
- מַחֲמַדֶּ֖י/הָ1×
- מַחֲמַדֶּ֑י/הָ1×
- מַחֲמַדֵּי\־1×
- מַחֲמַדֵּי/הֶ֛ם1×
- מַחֲמַדֵּ֥י1×
- מַחֲמַדִּ֑ים1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 5:16
His mouth is sweetness; yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.
This verse uses the word to describe the beloved as wholly desirable, highlighting the word's positive sense of deep affection and cherished value in human relationships.
-
Lamentations 2:4
He has bent his bow like an enemy. He has stood with his right hand as an adversary. He has killed all that were pleasant to the eye. In the tent of the daughter of Zion, he has poured out his wrath like fire.
Here the term refers to those who were 'pleasant to the eye,' illustrating how even the most valued people and things can be lost during divine judgment, emphasizing their fragility.
-
Hosea 9:6
For, behold, when they flee destruction, Egypt will gather them up. Memphis will bury them. Nettles will possess their pleasant things of silver. Thorns will be in their tents.
The word describes silver treasures possessed by nettles, showing how idolatry leads to the loss of what was once considered precious and secure.
-
I Kings 20:6
but I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they will search your house and the houses of your servants. Whatever is pleasant in your eyes, they will put it in their hand, and take it away.”’”
Ben-hadad demands whatever is 'pleasant in your eyes,' using the word to signify anything of high value or personal preference that the king might possess.