Original Word: מָבוֹן
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: mabown
Pronunciation: mah-bo-neem
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-bone')
KJV: taught
Word Origin: [from H995 (בִּין - understand)]

1. instructing

taught

From biyn; instructing -- taught.

see HEBREW biyn

Word Origin
another reading for bin, q.v.

מבונים2Chronicles 35:3 Kt; read מבינים (Qr) & see below בין Hiph`il

מבונים Kt see בין. מְבוּסָה see בוס.

מַבוּעַ see נבע. מְבוּקָה see בוק.

[מבושׁ, מְבוּשִׁים] see בושׁ.

מִבְחוֺר, I, II. מִבְחָר see בחר.

מַבָּט see נבט. מִבְטָא see בטא.

מִבְטָח see בטח. [מַבְלִיגִית] see בלג.

מְבֻלָּקָה see בלק. [מִבְנֶה] see בנה.

מְבֻנַּי see סִבְּכַי. I. מִבְצָר see בצר.

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 4000, מָבוֹן (mavon), belongs to the semantic field of “understanding” and “discernment.” Though the noun itself is not attested in the canonical Old Testament text, it is transparently built on the well-attested root בּין (bin, “to separate, distinguish, understand”). As such, מָבוֹן serves as a useful point of entry into biblical teaching on Spirit-wrought insight—an indispensable quality for covenant life, leadership, and worship.

Linguistic and Conceptual Background

1. Root family. The verb בּין (“to understand”) appears more than 150 times, while cognate nouns such as בִּינָה (binah, “insight”) and תְּבוּנָה (tevunah, “discernment”) populate Israel’s wisdom corpus. מָבוֹן would denote the “place,” “instrument,” or “product” of such understanding, highlighting the concrete outworking of discernment in thought and action.
2. Cognate usage in neighboring cultures. Northwest Semitic literature links cognates of bin to judicial insight and skilled craftsmanship, suggesting that the biblical worldview situates understanding both in the courtroom (righteous judgment) and in the workshop (competent stewardship).

Relationship to Wisdom Literature

Proverbs repeatedly personifies and prizes understanding: “Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). Although מָבוֹן itself is absent, its concept permeates the text:
• Proverbs 2:2–3 calls the disciple to incline his heart “to understanding.”
• Job 28:28 identifies the fear of the LORD as wisdom and “to depart from evil is understanding.”
• Ecclesiastes 8:1 extols the one who “knows the explanation of a matter,” suggesting that true מָבוֹן centers on discerning the sovereign hand of God in life’s enigmas.

Historical and Narrative Dimensions

1. Leadership. Solomon’s petition, “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9), demonstrates that national stability required a leader endowed with מָבוֹן-like insight.
2. Prophetic ministry. Daniel’s visions climax with Gabriel’s announcement, “I have come to give you insight and understanding” (Daniel 9:22), underscoring that apocalyptic revelation is granted, not achieved.
3. Exilic and post-exilic community. Ezra “set his heart to study and to practice” the Law (Ezra 7:10), modeling how renewed covenant life calls for an intelligenced faith that both knows and obeys.

Theological Themes

• Divine gift. Understanding never originates in autonomous human reason. “The LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
• Moral texture. Biblical understanding is inherently ethical, directing the will toward righteousness.
• Christological fulfillment. Isaiah anticipates Messiah’s anointing with “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding” (Isaiah 11:2). Jesus embodies perfect מָבוֹן, reading hearts (John 2:25) and opening minds “to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45).
• Pneumatological continuation. Believers receive “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17), enabling the church to interpret God’s redemptive purposes and to live accordingly.

Implications for Worship and Discipleship

1. Scripture intake. Exegetical diligence under the Spirit fosters congregational מָבוֹן, guarding against error (2 Timothy 2:15).
2. Prayer. Like Solomon, Christians petition God for discerning hearts, confident that “if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God” (James 1:5).
3. Ethical living. True understanding bears fruit in obedience; “Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:17).
4. Community formation. Elders must be “holding firmly to the trustworthy word” (Titus 1:9), modeling doctrinal clarity and practical discernment.

Pastoral and Homiletical Reflections

• Preach for transformation, not information: aim at cultivating Spirit-guided insight that moves the congregation from mere knowledge to wise action.
• Shepherd decision-making: counsel believers to evaluate choices through the grid of God’s revealed character and mission.
• Celebrate Christ as the treasury of wisdom: exalt Him who is greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42) and who grants the church everything required for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Related Terms and Cross-References

בִּינָה (Proverbs 14:33), תְּבוּנָה (Isaiah 40:14), חָכְמָה (Proverbs 1:7), שֵׂכֶל (1 Chronicles 22:12), Greek νοῦς/σύνεσις (Colossians 1:9).

Summary

While מָבוֹן does not appear in the Masoretic Text, the concept it represents—Spirit-given, ethically charged understanding—threads through the Law, Prophets, Writings, and reaches its zenith in Jesus Christ. For the modern church, pursuing such understanding remains essential for faithful witness, wise living, and gospel-saturated ministry.

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts