Lexical Summary
maddua: Why, for what reason
Original Word:מַדּוּעַ
Part of Speech:Adverb
Transliteration:madduwa`
Pronunciation:mad-doo-ah
Phonetic Spelling:(mad-doo'-ah)
KJV: how, wherefore, why
NASB:why
Word Origin:[fromH4100 (מָה מַה מָ מַ מֶה - what) and the passive participle ofH3045 (יָדַע - know)]
1. what (is) known?
2. (by implication, adverbially) why?
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
how, wherefore, why
Or madduaa {mad-doo'-ah}; frommah and the passive participle ofyada'; what (is) known?; i.e. (by implication) (adverbially) why? -- how, wherefore, why.
see HEBREWmah
see HEBREWyada'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
mah and
yadaDefinitionwhy? for what reason?
NASB Translationwhy (72).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
61 and :(Exodus 18:19)
(probably contracted fromwhat being known ? i.e. from what motive? so Ges Ew§325 c Ol§223 f, compare in Greek ;) —wherefore? on what account ?Genesis 26:27 ,Genesis 40:7;Exodus 1:18;Exodus 2:18;Exodus 3:8 (in an indirect question),Exodus 5:14;Exodus 18:14;Leviticus 10:17;Joshua 17:14 (all in Hexateuch),Judges 5:28 (twice in verse);2 Samuel 3:7;2 Samuel 11:10 etc.,Isaiah 5:4;Isaiah 50:2;Isaiah 63:2 (all in Isaiah); inJeremiah 16 t., oft, rhetorically, after a double question introduced by , expressing affected surprise:Jeremiah 2:14 (see Gf) is Israel a slave (unable to defend himself)?wherefore, then, is he become a prey? (some other cause must therefore be found for Israel's misfortune),Jeremiah 2:31;Jeremiah 8:5,19,22;Jeremiah 14:19;Jeremiah 22:28;Jeremiah 49:1, compareJeremiah 30:6;Job 3:12;Job 18:8 (never in Psalms).
Topical Lexicon
Overviewמַדּוּעַ (Strong’s Hebrew 4069) functions as the interrogative adverb “why?” or “for what reason?”. While simple in form, its occurrences form a rich tapestry of questions that probe the motives of human hearts, expose covenant unfaithfulness, and invite deeper trust in the LORD.
Distribution in Scripture
Approximately seventy-two occurrences stretch from Genesis to Zechariah. They cluster in:
• Pentateuch narrative (especially Exodus)
• Historical books (Joshua through Kings, notably in dialogues between prophets, kings, and common people)
• Wisdom literature (Job’s wrestlings)
• Major and Minor Prophets (Jeremiah and Ezekiel employ the term most heavily)
Frequency is heaviest in seasons of national crisis or individual distress, underscoring the Hebrew habit of grappling openly with God and one another.
Human Inquiry in Narrative Settings
1. Everyday concerns: Jethro to his daughters—“Why have you left the man?” (Exodus 2:20).
2. Wonder before the miraculous: “Why is the bush not burning up?” (Exodus 3:3).
3. Intra-family tensions: Elkanah to Hannah—“Why are you weeping?” (1 Samuel 1:8).
4. Threatened life: David to Jonathan—“Why does your father want to kill me?” (1 Samuel 20:1).
In each instance מַדּוּעַ opens space for dialogue, explanation, and often the unveiling of God’s providential plan.
Prayers and Laments
Israel’s leaders cry “why” when covenant hopes seem dashed:
• Moses: “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people?” (Exodus 5:22).
• Joshua: “O LORD, why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan…?” (Joshua 7:7).
• Jeremiah: “Why have You struck us so that we cannot be healed?” (Jeremiah 14:19).
Such prayers model honest lament that nevertheless keeps speaking to God rather than about Him.
Divine Interrogation and Prophetic Rebuke
God and His prophets also wield מַדּוּעַ to confront sin:
• Samuel to Saul: “Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD?” (1 Samuel 15:19).
• Elisha to Jehoram: “Why do you come to me? Go to the prophets of your father” (2 Kings 3:13).
• Ezekiel: “Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 18:31).
Here the question is not a request for information but a summons to repentance and life.
Wisdom Literature
Job uses מַדּוּעַ to wrestle with undeserved suffering:
• “Why did the knees receive me?” (Job 3:12).
• “Why have You made me Your target?” (Job 7:20).
The word frames the mystery of providence, teaching believers that reverent questioning is compatible with unwavering faith.
Covenant and Theological Reflection
“Why” often exposes covenant breaches. InJeremiah 30:6 the shocking image of men in labor leads to the question “why” Israel faces terror—answer: persistent sin. Conversely, God sometimes asks “why” to affirm His steadfast love, as inIsaiah 50:2, implying there is no valid reason for Israel’s estrangement.
Christological and Redemptive Trajectory
The Old Testament pattern of “why” questions culminates at the cross, where the Son cries, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1, later quoted by Jesus). מַדּוּעַ prepares hearts to perceive that ultimate “why” answered in the atonement and resurrection.
Pastoral and Devotional Implications
• Encourage honest prayer—God welcomes “why” when it seeks understanding, not rebellion.
• Use rhetorical “why” in preaching to expose hidden motives, following the prophetic model.
• Teach believers to move from “why” to “what now”—from perplexity to obedient trust.
Homiletical Use
A sermon series could trace “why” through Scripture:
1. Curiosity (Exodus 3)
2. Complaint (Exodus 5)
3. Confrontation (1 Samuel 15)
4. Compassion (2 Kings 8:12)
5. Conversion (Ezekiel 18:31)
Each stage invites the congregation to echo Israel’s questions yet find fuller answers in Christ.
Conclusion
Though only a small Hebrew word, מַדּוּעַ serves as a vital instrument in divine-human dialogue—prompting reflection, exposing sin, and directing hearts to the covenant faithfulness of God.
Forms and Transliterations
וּמַדּ֕וּעַ וּמַדּ֖וּעַ וּמַדּ֙וּעַ֙ וּמַדּ֛וּעַ וּמַדּ֜וּעַ וּמַדּ֥וּעַ וּמַדּוּעַ֩ ומדוע מַ֝דּ֗וּעַ מַ֠דּוּעַ מַ֭דּוּעַ מַדֻּ֛עַ מַדּ֖וּעַ מַדּ֗וּעַ מַדּ֙וּעַ֙ מַדּ֛וּעַ מַדּ֜וּעַ מַדּ֡וּעַ מַדּ֣וּעַ מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ מַדּ֤וּעַ מַדּ֥וּעַ מַדּ֧וּעַ מַדּ֨וּעַ מַדּוּעַ֩ מדוע מדע mad·du·a‘ mad·dū·a‘ madDua maddua‘ maddūa‘ ū·mad·dū·a‘ umadDua ūmaddūa‘
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