מָנַע (ma.na)
ma.na
to withhold
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 26 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb manaʿ means to hold back or keep something from someone. It describes the active choice to prevent a person from receiving a benefit or experiencing an action. The sources list translations such as "withhold," "deny," and "restrain," highlighting a deliberate act of retention rather than mere inability.
This word appears in diverse contexts, ranging from personal relationships to divine judgment. In Genesis 30:2, Rachel uses it when asking Jacob why God has kept her from having children, framing the issue as something withheld by God. Conversely, Proverbs 3:27 warns against holding back good from those who deserve it, using manaʿ to describe a moral failure to share what one possesses.
A notable feature of its usage is the preposition min, which typically follows the verb to indicate what is being held back or from whom. For instance, Jeremiah 2:25 employs it in the phrase "withhold your foot," urging restraint from hasty action. This grammatical pattern clarifies that manaʿ always involves a specific object and a recipient, making the act of withholding concrete and relational.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word manaʿ describes a deliberate act of holding something back. It is not about an inability to give, but a choice to retain. This distinction matters because it highlights human agency in our relationships with God and others. When we choose to withhold good from those who need it, we miss the joy of generosity that reflects God’s own heart.
Scripture warns against this restraint, especially when it involves basic needs or justice. Proverbs 3:27 reminds us that if we have the power to help, holding back is a moral failure. Yet, we also see God using this concept to protect His people, as seen when He withheld David from taking vengeance in anger. This shows that sometimes restraint is wisdom, but often it is a call to active kindness.
Reflecting on where you might be holding back can bring clarity. Whether it is time, resources, or forgiveness, asking God to reveal these areas helps us align with His generous nature. Instead of focusing on what we keep, we can look for opportunities to share what He has given us freely.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 26 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- restrain3×
- you withhold2×
- [one who] withholds2×
- I withheld2×
- you withhold [them]1×
- you withheld1×
- you have withheld1×
- they have withheld1×
- so/ it may be withheld1×
- let yourself be restrained1×
- it has been withheld1×
- he will withhold/ me1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָנַ֨עְתִּי2×
- מִנְעִ֤י2×
- תִּמְנַע\־1×
- תִּמְנַ֥ע1×
- תִּמְנַ֣ע1×
- תִּֽמְנַֽע\־1×
- תִמָּנַ֖ע1×
- נִמְנַ֛ע1×
- מֹנֵ֥עַ1×
- מֹ֣נֵֽעַ1×
- מָנַ֥ע1×
- מָנַ֣עְתָּ1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 3:27
Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
This verse defines the moral obligation to give good when it is within your power, framing withholding as a failure of responsibility.
-
Genesis 30:2
Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in God’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”
Rachel uses this word to express her deep pain that God has prevented her from bearing children, showing its use in personal lament.
-
I Samuel 25:26
Now therefore, my lord, as Yahweh lives and as your soul lives, since Yahweh has withheld you from blood guiltiness and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies and those who seek evil to my lord be as Nabal.
Abigail credits God with withholding David from blood guilt, illustrating divine restraint as an act of protection and mercy.
-
Jeremiah 5:25
“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good from you.
Here the word explains how sin actively blocks blessings, showing that human disobedience can hinder God's good provision.