מַעֲדַנּוֹת (ma.a.dan.nah)
ma.a.dan.nah
bond
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew word maʿădannôth refers to physical bonds or bands that restrain a person. It appears in only two verses in the Old Testament: Job 36:8 and 1 Samuel 11:8. In both contexts, it describes tangible restraints rather than abstract concepts.
In Job, Elihu uses the term to describe how God binds people with cords of affliction, suggesting that these bonds serve a disciplinary or corrective purpose. Meanwhile, in 1 Samuel, the Philistines gather forces "with three hundred thousand horsemen and ten thousand chariots," but the text notes they came to bind the Israelites, implying military subjugation through force.
This word emphasizes physical captivity and loss of freedom. Unlike terms for spiritual slavery or metaphorical chains, maʿădannôth points to literal ropes, fetters, or shackles used to control movement. The rarity of its usage highlights the severity of the situations in which it appears—whether divine correction or enemy oppression.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word maʿădannôth describes physical bonds or bands that restrain a person. It appears in only two verses in the Old Testament: Job 36:8 and 1 Samuel 11:8. In both contexts, it describes tangible restraints rather than abstract concepts. In Job, Elihu uses the term to describe how God binds people with cords of affliction, suggesting that these bonds serve a disciplinary or corrective purpose. Meanwhile, in 1 Samuel, the Philistines gather forces "with three hundred thousand horsemen and ten thousand chariots," but the text notes they came to bind the Israelites, implying military subjugation through force.
This word emphasizes physical captivity and loss of freedom. Unlike terms for spiritual slavery or metaphorical chains, maʿădannôth points to literal ropes, fetters, or shackles used to control movement. The rarity of its usage highlights the severity of the situations in which it appears—whether divine correction or enemy oppression.
When you face restrictions in your life, whether from external circumstances or internal struggles, remember that God is sovereign over even these constraints. He can loosen what binds us and bring freedom. Trust in His timing and purpose, knowing that He works all things for good for those who love Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bonds1×
- [the] bonds of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַעֲדַנֹּ֑ת1×
- מַעֲדַנּ֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Job 38:31
“Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion?
This verse uses the related concept of binding celestial bodies, illustrating God's power over forces that seem unbreakable to humans.
-
I Samuel 15:32
Then Samuel said, “Bring Agag the king of the Amalekites here to me!” Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
While this verse does not contain the word maʿădannôth, it describes a moment of confrontation where bondage and freedom are central themes in the narrative.