Original Word: מֵן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: men
Pronunciation: men
Phonetic Spelling: (mane)
KJV: in (the same) (Psalm 68
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to apportion]

1. a part
2. (hence) a musical chord (as parted into strings)

stringed instrument

From an unused root meaning to apportion; a part; hence, a musical chord (as parted into strings) -- in (the same) (Psalm 68:23), stringed instrument (Psalm 150:4), whereby (Psalm 45:8 (defective plural)).

I. [מֵן] noun [masculine] string (of harp) (probably loan-word from Aramaic , hair, string PS²¹⁶³); pluralמִנִּים Psalm 150:4, so also probably Psalm 45:9 (read מִנִּים for ᵑ0 מִנִּי, compare Che Bae We > Ges^{§ 87},1.b Hup and others, who think מִנִּי an apocopatic plural)

II. [מֵן], מִנֶּ֑הוּ see מנן

II. [מֵן] noun [masculine] portion (Sim Hup and others); — מִנֶּה֑וּ Psalm 68:24, but read (הָּ֯) מְנָתוֺ Ol Dy Bi Che We (see מְנָת above). — Psalm 45:9; Psalm 150:4 see I. מֵן above

Etymology and Linguistic Character

מֵן (men) is an Aramaic-colored prepositional form preserved in two Hebrew poetic texts. Its rarity points to the Psalter’s literary breadth, where occasional Chaldee turns of phrase serve either metrical balance or heightened artistry, without disturbing inspiration or unity.

Canonical Placement and Occurrences

1. Psalm 45:8
2. Psalm 150:4

Both psalms are songs of praise: Psalm 45 a royal wedding ode with messianic overtones; Psalm 150 the climactic doxology of the entire Psalter.

Contextual Significance in Psalm 45:8

“All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make You glad.” (Psalm 45:8)

Here מֵן functions as the poetic bridge between the King’s aromatic attire and the music swelling from opulent halls. By employing the Aramaic form, the psalmist subtly transports the audience beyond Israel’s borders, picturing an international court that foreshadows the Messiah’s universal reign. The preposition stresses origin—music arising “from” ivory palaces—underscoring that true joy in the King’s presence emanates from worship.

Contextual Significance in Psalm 150:4

“Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute.” (Psalm 150:4)

While English reads “strings,” the underlying phrase employs מֵן within a plural construct to denote “stringed instruments.” The preposition, fused with the noun, conveys that praise issues “from” the resonance of strings. Placed in the psalm’s crescendo, it highlights the source-oriented dynamic of worship: every musical medium becomes an outlet from which adoration flows to God.

Theological Themes

1. Source of Joy: In both verses מֵן introduces what delights the Lord—melodious praise springing from exquisite surroundings or skilled instrumentation.
2. Sanctified Arts: Music, architecture, fragrance, and dance are redeemed as conduits “from” which glory rises to God.
3. Universality of Worship: The Aramaic touch hints at a worship that transcends ethnic Israel, anticipating the multilingual praise envisioned in Revelation 7:9-10.

Historical Insights

The appearance of an Aramaic particle in Hebrew poetry reflects the post-exilic milieu when Aramaic served as the region’s lingua franca. Rather than diluting Hebrews’ sacred tongue, such borrowings showcase Scripture’s capacity to speak into shifting cultural contexts while preserving doctrinal purity.

Worship and Ministry Application

• Worship leaders can model Psalm 45 by cultivating artistic excellence—music that issues “from” beautiful settings—to honor Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom.
• Psalm 150 authorizes a diversity of instruments. Congregations should encourage every God-given talent, allowing praise to spring “from” modern counterparts of ancient strings and flutes.
• The grammatical nuance reminds believers that authentic worship originates not in human creativity alone but “from” hearts transformed by grace (John 4:23-24).

Christological and Eschatological Echoes

Psalm 45 ultimately exalts the Messianic King whose garments bear both fragrance and blood (Hebrews 1:8-9 ties the psalm to Christ). Psalm 150 looks ahead to eternal worship where every tribe brings its own “strings” and “flute,” yet all sound flows “from” one source—the Lamb enthroned (Revelation 5:9-13).

בְּמִנִּ֥ים במנים מִנִּ֥י מני bə·min·nîm beminNim bəminnîm min·nî minNi minnîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts