Original Word: מְעוּנָי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: M`uwniy
Pronunciation: meh-oo-NEEM
Phonetic Spelling: (meh-oo-nee')
KJV: Mehunim(-s), Meunim
NASB: Meunites, Meunim
Word Origin: [probably patrial from H4584 (מָעוֹן - Maon)]

1. a Meunite, or inhabitant of Maon (only in plural)

Mehunims, Meunim

Or Msiyniy {meh-ee-nee'}; probably patrial from Ma'own; a Meunite, or inhabitant of Maon (only in plural) -- Mehunim(-s), Meunim.

see HEBREW Ma'own

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a people S.E. of the Dead Sea
NASB Translation
Meunim (2), Meunites (3).

מְעוּנִים proper name, of a people Me`unim, Me`unites (usually connected with מָעוֺן, (see עון), but dubious, compare Buhl^{Edom. 41 f.}); — a people South (SE ?) of Canaan (compare Buhl^l.c.); — ׳הַמּ2Chronicles 26:7 and 1 Chronicles 4:41 Qr (Kt המעינים, ᵐ5^B τοὺς Μιναίους, ᵐ5^L τ. Κιναίους; read also מֵהַמְּעוּנִים2Chronicles 20:1 (for ᵑ0 מֵהָעַמּוֺנִים), so ᵐ5^{B A} (ᵐ5^L Αμμανιειμ), Ew Be Ke Ot Kau Kit; בְּנֵימְֿעוּנִים (among Nethinim who went back with Zerubbabel) Ezra 2:50 = Nehemiah 7:52 are perhaps descendants of those named above (2 Chronicles 26:7). ᵐ5 οἱ Μιναῖοι, but against ׳מ = Mineans (Glaser^{Skizze ii. 450 f.} and others) see Sprenger^{ZMG xliv (1890), 505}.

[מָעוּף] see עיף. מָעוֺר see עור.

מעז (√ of following).

מעינים 1 Chronicles 4:41 Kt see מְעוּנִים.

Name and Identification

The Meunites appear in Scripture as a tribal people living on the south-eastern frontier of Judah, closely associated with Arabia and Edom. Their name is preserved in various forms (Meunites, Mehunim, Meonites), yet always points to the same group.

Geographical Setting

The Old Testament situates the Meunites in the arid regions stretching from the Arabah to the northern edge of the Arabian Desert, an area providing pasture but prone to conflict over scarce resources (1 Chronicles 4:41). Their proximity to Edom and to Arab arable routes explains why they are grouped with “the Arabians who lived in Gur-baal” (2 Chronicles 26:7).

Biblical Narrative Summaries

1 Chronicles 4:41

Irruptions into Judah’s southern hill country are recorded “in the days of King Hezekiah… they struck down the tents of the Meunites who were found there and devoted them to destruction… and settled in their place.” The chronicler highlights covenant faithfulness: Judah’s shepherd-kings protect the inheritance promised to Abraham by removing hostile occupiers.

2 Chronicles 26:7

During Uzziah’s reign the Lord “helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians living in Gur-baal, and against the Meunites.” Victory is attributed directly to divine aid, reinforcing the theme that Judah’s security rests not on military prowess but on obedience to God.

Ezra 2:50; Nehemiah 7:52

Centuries later, “the sons of Meunim” are listed among the Nethinim—temple servants returning from exile. Their inclusion indicates that some Meunite families had embraced Israel’s faith and were incorporated into the covenant community, serving in the Second Temple alongside Levites. The transition from adversaries to servants of the sanctuary underscores the widening mercy of God toward the nations.

Historical Trajectory

• Pre-Monarchic/Monarchic: A semi-nomadic tribe challenging Judah’s borders.
• Hezekiah’s Reforms: Their strongholds dismantled, fields taken for Judean flocks.
• Uzziah’s Expansion: Defeat further curbs Meunite aggression and opens trade routes southward.
• Post-Exilic Period: A remnant attached itself to Israel’s worship life, adopting covenant identity.

Theological and Ministry Themes

Covenant Protection

Each military encounter records that “God helped” Israel (2 Chronicles 26:7). The Meunites serve as a foil, demonstrating that the Lord alone secures His people when they walk in His ways.

Conversion of the Nations

The later appearance of Meunite descendants among the temple workers illustrates the promise that Gentiles will share in the worship of the one true God (compare Isaiah 56:6-8). Their presence in Ezra and Nehemiah anticipates the gospel’s outreach beyond ethnic Israel.

Sanctified Service

As Nethinim, former outsiders were entrusted with holy tasks. God not only redeems individuals but also assigns them meaningful service, showing that no past hostility or distance places one beyond usefulness in His kingdom.

Lessons for Today

1. God’s victories over opposition encourage believers to trust His sovereignty when facing external threats.
2. The assimilation of Meunites into temple service reminds the church to welcome repentant outsiders and to value every member’s contribution to corporate worship.
3. Scripture’s consistent portrayal of God turning enemies into servants reinforces the mission mandate: proclaim the gospel to all peoples, confident that former resistance can become devoted allegiance.

Related Topics

Edom; Arabians; Nethinim; Uzziah; Hezekiah; Gentile inclusion in redemptive history

הַמְּעוּנִ֨ים המעונים וְהַמְּעוּנִֽים׃ והמעונים׃ מְעוּנִ֖ים מעונים ham·mə·‘ū·nîm hammə‘ūnîm hammeuNim mə‘ūnîm mə·‘ū·nîm meuNim vehammeuNim wə·ham·mə·‘ū·nîm wəhammə‘ūnîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts