Original Word: מַעֲנֶה
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma`aneh
Pronunciation: mah-ah-neh
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-an-eh')
KJV: answer, X himself
NASB: answer, purpose, response
Word Origin: [from H6030 (עָנָה - To answer)]

1. a reply (favorable or contradictory)

answer, himself

From anah; a reply (favorable or contradictory) -- answer, X himself.

see HEBREW anah

Word Origin
from anah
Definition
an answer, response
NASB Translation
answer (6), purpose (1), response (1).

מַעֲנֶה noun masculine^{Proverbs 15:1} answer, response; — absolute רַֿךְ׳מ Proverbs 15:1 a Gentle answer; construct מַעֲנִה מִּיו Proverbs 15:23, compare לָשׁוֺן ׳מ Proverbs 16:1 (i.e. ability to answer); אֱלֹהִים ׳מ Micah 3:7 i.e. response for guidance; absolute also Proverbs 29:19 response = obedience; Job 32:3,5 reply, refutation; suffix לַמַּעֲנֵהוּ Job 16:4 #NAME?answers (see Toy).

Summary of Usage

מַעֲנֶה (“answer,” “reply,” “response”) appears eight times in Scripture, distributed across Wisdom literature, poetic narrative, and prophetic indictment. In every setting it highlights the moral weight of speech—whether present, withheld, or supplied by God Himself.

Job: The Crisis of Silence (Job 32:3; 32:5)

Elihu’s indignation “because they had found no answer” (Job 32:3) shows that inadequate speech can deepen suffering. The term frames the insufficiency of human counsel, preparing the reader for the ultimate “answer” God will later give from the whirlwind. Here מַעֲנֶה underscores the gulf between human reasoning and divine wisdom.

Proverbs: The Formation of God-Honoring Speech

1. Moderating Anger—“A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). מַעֲנֶה is portrayed as a calming force, making peacemaking a matter of choice and tone.
2. Timeliness and Joy—“How good is a timely word!” (Proverbs 15:23). A well-fitted reply brings mutual delight, linking verbal discernment with communal blessing.
3. Divine Source—“The reply of the tongue is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:1). Human planning is affirmed, yet the decisive utterance originates with God, safeguarding providence over conversation.
4. Accountability—“Though he understands, he will not answer” (Proverbs 29:19). The withheld reply of an obstinate servant illustrates that knowledge without obedient response profits little.

Micah: Divine Silence as Judgment (Micah 3:7)

Corrupt prophets “will all cover their mouths, for there is no answer from God.” The absence of מַעֲנֶה becomes a severe mercy, exposing falsehood and calling the nation to repentance. God’s withheld response is itself a revelatory act, contrasting sharply with His readiness to guide the righteous.

Theological Motifs

• Speech as Moral Action—Answers may soothe (Proverbs 15:1), gladden (15:23), or fail (Job 32:3). Every reply reveals character and shapes community.
• Sovereign Speech—Proverbs 16:1 locates the ultimate reply in the Lord, prefiguring the incarnate “Word” who answers humanity’s deepest questions (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:2).
• Silence as Discipline—Micah 3:7 and Job 32:3 show that God may withhold an answer to expose sin or limitation, urging humility and renewed seeking.

Historical Considerations

In pre-exilic Israel, prophets mediated divine מַעֲנֶה; their failure (Micah 3) accelerated judgment. In Wisdom compilations finalized during the monarchy and later, the term codified Israel’s collective experience that controlled, God-sourced speech safeguards society. Job, likely set in patriarchal times, presents the term in early poetic form, displaying its long-standing theological weight.

Ministry Implications

1. Pastoral Counseling—Employ gentle answers to defuse conflict, while recognizing moments when silence may prompt self-reflection (Proverbs 15:1; Job 32:5).
2. Teaching and Apologetics—Ground every reply in prayer, trusting God for the right words (Proverbs 16:1; Matthew 10:19-20).
3. Spiritual Formation—Encourage believers to seek God’s reply in Scripture and prayer, yet accept seasons when His silence teaches dependence.
4. Community Governance—Model timely, fitting responses in leadership contexts to cultivate joy and trust (Proverbs 15:23).

Christological Fulfillment

Jesus Christ embodies the perfect מַעֲנֶה: He answers the Father in flawless obedience (John 8:29) and answers sinners with saving grace (Matthew 11:28-30). At the cross and empty tomb the divine reply to sin and death is irrevocably given, assuring believers that “in Him every one of God’s promises is ‘Yes’” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Concluding Reflection

מַעֲנֶה is never a neutral word in Scripture. Whether proceeding from human lips or withheld by the Lord, it carries covenantal significance. Wise disciples therefore weigh every answer, seek God for every reply, and rest in the final Answer already given in Christ.

בְּמַעֲנֵה־ במענה־ לַֽמַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ למענהו מַֽעֲנֶה־ מַעֲנֵ֖ה מַעֲנֵ֥ה מַעֲנֶ֑ה מַעֲנֶ֗ה מַעֲנֶֽה׃ מענה מענה־ מענה׃ bə·ma·‘ă·nêh- bəma‘ănêh- bemaaneh lam·ma·‘ă·nê·hū lamma‘ănêhū lammaaNehu ma‘ăneh ma‘ănêh ma‘ăneh- ma·‘ă·neh ma·‘ă·nêh ma·‘ă·neh- maaNehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts