Lexical Summary maddua: Why, for what reason Original Word: מַדּוּעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance how, wherefore, why Or madduaa {mad-doo'-ah}; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what (is) known?; i.e. (by implication) (adverbially) why? -- how, wherefore, why. see HEBREW mah see HEBREW yada' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mah and yada Definition why? for what reason? NASB Translation why (72). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַדּוּעַ61 and :(Exodus 18:19) מַדֻּעַ adverb wherefore? (probably contracted from מַהיָּֿדוּעַ what being known ? i.e. from what motive? so Ges Ew§325 c Ol§223 f, compare in Greek τί μαθών;) — wherefore? on what account ? Genesis 26:27 מַדּוּעַ בָּאתֶם אֵלָ֑י, Genesis 40:7; Exodus 1:18; Exodus 2:18; Exodus 3:8 (in an indirect question), Exodus 5:14; Exodus 18:14; Leviticus 10:17; Joshua 17:14 (all in Hexateuch), Judges 5:28 (twice in verse); 2 Samuel 3:7; 2 Samuel 11:10 etc., Isaiah 5:4; Isaiah 50:2; Isaiah 63:2 (all in Isaiah); in Jeremiah 16 t., oft, rhetorically, after a double question introduced by הֲאִ֗֗֗ם, expressing affected surprise: Jeremiah 2:14 (see Gf) is Israel a slave (unable to defend himself)? wherefore, then, is he become a prey? (some other cause must therefore be found for Israel's misfortune), Jeremiah 2:31; Jeremiah 8:5,19,22; Jeremiah 14:19; Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 49:1, compare Jeremiah 30:6; Job 3:12; Job 18:8 (never in Psalms). Topical Lexicon Overview מַדּוּעַ (Strong’s Hebrew 4069) functions as the interrogative adverb “why?” or “for what reason?”. While simple in form, its occurrences form a rich tapestry of questions that probe the motives of human hearts, expose covenant unfaithfulness, and invite deeper trust in the LORD. Distribution in Scripture Approximately seventy-two occurrences stretch from Genesis to Zechariah. They cluster in: Frequency is heaviest in seasons of national crisis or individual distress, underscoring the Hebrew habit of grappling openly with God and one another. Human Inquiry in Narrative Settings 1. Everyday concerns: Jethro to his daughters—“Why have you left the man?” (Exodus 2:20). In each instance מַדּוּעַ opens space for dialogue, explanation, and often the unveiling of God’s providential plan. Prayers and Laments Israel’s leaders cry “why” when covenant hopes seem dashed: Such prayers model honest lament that nevertheless keeps speaking to God rather than about Him. Divine Interrogation and Prophetic Rebuke God and His prophets also wield מַדּוּעַ to confront sin: Here the question is not a request for information but a summons to repentance and life. Wisdom Literature Job uses מַדּוּעַ to wrestle with undeserved suffering: The word frames the mystery of providence, teaching believers that reverent questioning is compatible with unwavering faith. Covenant and Theological Reflection “Why” often exposes covenant breaches. In Jeremiah 30:6 the shocking image of men in labor leads to the question “why” Israel faces terror—answer: persistent sin. Conversely, God sometimes asks “why” to affirm His steadfast love, as in Isaiah 50:2, implying there is no valid reason for Israel’s estrangement. Christological and Redemptive Trajectory The Old Testament pattern of “why” questions culminates at the cross, where the Son cries, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1, later quoted by Jesus). מַדּוּעַ prepares hearts to perceive that ultimate “why” answered in the atonement and resurrection. Pastoral and Devotional Implications • Encourage honest prayer—God welcomes “why” when it seeks understanding, not rebellion. Homiletical Use A sermon series could trace “why” through Scripture: 1. Curiosity (Exodus 3) Each stage invites the congregation to echo Israel’s questions yet find fuller answers in Christ. Conclusion Though only a small Hebrew word, מַדּוּעַ serves as a vital instrument in divine-human dialogue—prompting reflection, exposing sin, and directing hearts to the covenant faithfulness of God. Forms and Transliterations וּמַדּ֕וּעַ וּמַדּ֖וּעַ וּמַדּ֙וּעַ֙ וּמַדּ֛וּעַ וּמַדּ֜וּעַ וּמַדּ֥וּעַ וּמַדּוּעַ֩ ומדוע מַ֝דּ֗וּעַ מַ֠דּוּעַ מַ֭דּוּעַ מַדֻּ֛עַ מַדּ֖וּעַ מַדּ֗וּעַ מַדּ֙וּעַ֙ מַדּ֛וּעַ מַדּ֜וּעַ מַדּ֡וּעַ מַדּ֣וּעַ מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ מַדּ֤וּעַ מַדּ֥וּעַ מַדּ֧וּעַ מַדּ֨וּעַ מַדּוּעַ֩ מדוע מדע mad·du·a‘ mad·dū·a‘ madDua maddua‘ maddūa‘ ū·mad·dū·a‘ umadDua ūmaddūa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 26:27 HEB: אֲלֵהֶם֙ יִצְחָ֔ק מַדּ֖וּעַ בָּאתֶ֣ם אֵלָ֑י NAS: said to them, Why have you come KJV: said unto them, Wherefore come INT: and Isaac Why come about Genesis 40:7 Exodus 1:18 Exodus 2:18 Exodus 3:3 Exodus 5:14 Exodus 18:14 Leviticus 10:17 Numbers 12:8 Numbers 16:3 Joshua 17:14 Judges 5:28 Judges 5:28 Judges 9:28 Judges 11:7 Judges 11:26 Judges 12:1 Ruth 2:10 1 Samuel 20:2 1 Samuel 20:27 1 Samuel 21:2 2 Samuel 3:7 2 Samuel 11:10 2 Samuel 11:20 2 Samuel 12:9 72 Occurrences |