מָעוֹן (ma.on)
ma.on
habitation
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun maʿôn refers to a place of dwelling or habitation, but it carries a strong sense of security and protection. It is not merely a physical structure; it describes a refuge where one can find safety. This dual meaning appears in the Psalms, where God is called a "habitation" (Psalms 90:1), emphasizing His role as a secure shelter for the faithful.
In other contexts, the word takes on a darker tone. In Jeremiah 50:39, it describes the dwelling place of jackals and ostriches, highlighting desolation and abandonment. This contrast shows that maʿôn can signify either divine protection or utter ruin, depending on whether the inhabitants are God’s people or wild animals.
The word appears fourteen times in the Hebrew Bible, mostly in poetic books like Psalms and prophetic texts like Jeremiah. Its root likely relates to staying or remaining, reinforcing the idea of a permanent, stable place. Translators often render it as "dwelling," "habitation," or "refuge," capturing its core sense of a settled, secure location.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word maʿôn describes more than just a physical building; it signifies a place of deep security and permanent residence. When used in Scripture, it often points to God Himself as our shelter. In Psalm 90:1, Moses calls the Lord our "dwelling place for all generations," reminding us that true safety is found not in circumstances, but in who God is. This perspective offers stability when life feels uncertain.
Conversely, the prophets use this word to describe desolation, such as Babylon becoming a home for jackals. This contrast highlights the value of divine protection. To have God as your habitation means you are kept from the ruin that comes from turning away from Him. It is an invitation to rest in His presence rather than worrying about the future.
This word encourages us to view our relationship with God as a secure home. Just as a house provides shelter from the storm, trusting in the Lord provides peace for the soul. We are invited to make Him our refuge, finding rest in His constant care and faithfulness throughout every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a dwelling place4×
- a habitation of2×
- to/ [the] dwelling of1×
- from/ [the] habitation of1×
- dwelling/ its1×
- dwelling place/ your1×
- dwelling place/ his1×
- and/ from/ [the] dwelling of1×
- [the] habitation of1×
- <into>/ a habitation of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִ/מְע֥וֹן2×
- מָע֣וֹן1×
- מָע֡וֹן1×
- מָע֔וֹן1×
- מָע֑וֹן1×
- מִ/מְּע֨וֹן1×
- מְעוֹנֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- מְעוֹנָ֔/הּ1×
- מְעוֹנֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- מְעוֹן\־1×
- מְע֥וֹן1×
- מְע֣וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 90:1
A Prayer by Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.
This verse establishes God as the eternal shelter for believers across all generations, emphasizing permanence over temporary physical structures.
-
Psalms 91:9
Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,
The text links making Yahweh a dwelling place with protection from terror, showing that security is a result of trusting in His presence.