Original Word: מַעֲמָד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma`amad
Pronunciation: mah-ah-MAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-am-awd')
KJV: attendance, office, place, state
NASB: attendance, office, station, stations
Word Origin: [from H5975 (עָמַד - stand)]

1. (figuratively) a position

attendance, office, place, state

From amad; (figuratively) a position -- attendance, office, place, state.

see HEBREW amad

Word Origin
from amad
Definition
office, function, service
NASB Translation
attendance (2), office (1), station (1), stations (1).

[מַעֲמָד] noun [masculine] office, function, service; —

1 station, office, post (מַעֲמָֽדְךָ) Isaiah 22:19 ("" מַצָּֽבְךָ), עַלמַֿעֲמָדָם2Chronicles 35:15 at their post.

2 office, function 1 Chronicles 23:28.

3 service, probably specifically waiting at table (strictly mode of standing), construct מַעֲמַד מְשָֽׁרְתָיו 1 Kings 10:5 2Chronicles 9:4.

Overview

מַעֲמָד portrays a “standing” or “station” that carries the ideas of placement, duty, and steadfastness before God or king. Scripture applies the term to royal ceremony, priestly and Levitical ministry, and prophetic rebuke, revealing that every office or position is bestowed, defined, and judged by the LORD.

Royal Splendor and Court Order (1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chronicles 9:4)

When the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, she was overwhelmed by “the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his waiters… and the burnt offerings he offered at the house of the LORD” (1 Kings 10:5). Here מַעֲמָד highlights the precise arrangement of officials who stood ready in Solomon’s court. The king’s wisdom expressed itself not only in proverbs and judgments but in the ordered stations of his household. The orderly “standings” mirrored heavenly order and testified to the glory with which God had endowed the Davidic throne.

Levitical Assignments and Liturgical Faithfulness (1 Chronicles 23:28; 2 Chronicles 35:15)

David organized the Levites so that “their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 23:28). מַעֲמָד marks their permanent, God-given posts. Centuries later, during Josiah’s Passover, “The singers, the sons of Asaph, were in their positions… The gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts” (2 Chronicles 35:15). Even amid an extraordinary national celebration, no one abandoned the station God had assigned. Worship remained both fervent and orderly, demonstrating that zeal must be joined to faithfulness in one’s appointed place.

Prophetic Warning concerning High Office (Isaiah 22:19)

Through Isaiah the LORD addressed Shebna: “I will remove you from office, and you will be ousted from your position” (Isaiah 22:19). The same term that dignified Levites and royal attendants now underscores divine judgment. A station becomes a stewardship; when pride supplants service, God can revoke the privilege. Shebna’s fall reminds every leader that the security of one’s מַעֲמָד depends on humility before God.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Order. From palace to temple, God values structure that reflects His own faithfulness (Psalm 119:90).
2. Stewardship. Positions are trusts, not possessions (Luke 12:42-48). מַעֲמָד therefore carries moral responsibility.
3. Accountability. Shebna’s removal confirms that God “raises up one and brings down another” (Psalm 75:7).
4. Worship and Work. Temple service shows that worship involves standing ready, performing given tasks with precision and reverence (Colossians 3:23-24).

Application for Ministry Today

• Recognize every role—visible or hidden—as a God-appointed station.
• Maintain both zeal and order in congregational life; neither should eclipse the other.
• Hold office with humility, knowing God alone secures or removes positions.
• Encourage believers to “stand firm” (1 Corinthians 16:13) in their assignments, reflecting the steadfastness inherent in מַעֲמָד.

Thus, מַעֲמָד calls God’s people to steadfast, ordered, and accountable service, whether in kingly courts, temple courts, or the varied ministries of the body of Christ.

וּמִמַּעֲמָֽדְךָ֖ וּמַעֲמַ֨ד וממעמדך ומעמד מַעֲמָדָ֗ם מַעֲמָדָ֞ם מעמדם ma‘ămāḏām ma·‘ă·mā·ḏām maamaDam ū·ma·‘ă·maḏ ū·mim·ma·‘ă·mā·ḏə·ḵā ūma‘ămaḏ umaaMad umimaamadeCha ūmimma‘ămāḏəḵāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts