Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical Location:Maon is a town mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the hill country of Judah. It is situated near the wilderness of Paran and the desert of Ziph. The site is identified with modern-day Khirbet Ma‘in, approximately 8 miles south of Hebron. The region is characterized by its rugged terrain and sparse vegetation, making it suitable for pastoral activities.
Biblical References:Maon is primarily noted in the context of David's flight from King Saul. In
1 Samuel 23:24-25, the text states, "So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon. Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon." This passage highlights Maon's significance as a place of refuge for David during his evasion of Saul's pursuit.
Historical Context:The town of Maon was part of the tribal allotment to Judah, as described in
Joshua 15:55, which lists it among the cities in the southern part of the territory. The area was known for its pastoral economy, which is evident from the narrative involving Nabal, a wealthy sheep owner from Maon. In
1 Samuel 25:2, it is recorded, "Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very wealthy; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel."
Cultural and Theological Significance:Maon serves as a backdrop for the account of David and Nabal, which illustrates themes of divine justice and providence. Nabal's refusal to provide for David and his men, despite their protection of his shepherds, leads to a confrontation that is averted by the wise intervention of Abigail, Nabal's wife. This account, found in
1 Samuel 25, underscores the biblical principles of hospitality, humility, and the consequences of folly.
Archaeological Insights:While extensive archaeological excavations have not been conducted at Khirbet Ma‘in, the site is consistent with the biblical description of Maon. The surrounding area contains remains of ancient settlements, cisterns, and agricultural terraces, which align with the historical and economic context of the biblical narrative.
Legacy and Influence:Maon's mention in the Bible, though brief, contributes to the larger narrative of David's rise to kingship and God's providential care over His anointed. The events that transpired in Maon are part of the intricate tapestry of David's life, illustrating the trials and divine interventions that shaped his journey to becoming Israel's king.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Maonhouse; place of sin
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Maon(habitation), one of the cities of the tribe of Judah, in the district of the mountains. (Joshua 15:55) Its interest for us lies in its connection with David. (1 Samuel 23:24,25) The name of Maon still exists inMain , a lofty conical hill, south of and about seven miles distant from Hebron.
ATS Bible Dictionary
MaonA town in the edge of the hill-country of Judah,Joshua 15:55, near which Nabal lived and David took refuge from Saul,1 Samuel 23:24 25; 25:2. Dr Robinson finds it the ruinous place called Main, seven miles south by east from Hebron.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Habitation, a town in the tribe of Judah, about 7 miles south of Hebron, which gave its name to the wilderness, the district round the conical hill on which the town stood. Here David hid from Saul, and here Nabal had his possessions and his home (
1 Samuel 23:24, 25;
25:2). "Only some small foundations of hewn stone, a square enclosure, and several cisterns are now to be seen at Maon. Are they the remains of Nabal's great establishment?" The hill is now called Tell M'ain.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MAON; MAONITESma'-on, ma'-on-its, ma-o'-nits (ma`on; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Maor, Maan; Codex Alexandrinus Maon):
(1) A town in the mountain of Judah named along with Carmel and Ziph (Joshua 15:55). It appears again as the home of Nabal, the great flockmaster (1 Samuel 25:2). In the genealogical list of1 Chronicles 2, Maon stands as the "son" of Shammai and the "father" of Beth-zur (2:44, 45). This evidently means that Shammai was the founder of Maon. About a mile South of el-Karmil, the ancient Carmel, lies Tell Ma`in. This may be confidently identified with Maon, the radicals of the names being the same. It suits the requirements of the narratives in other respects, being near to Carmel, while the surrounding wilderness is still used as the wide pasture land for multitudinous flocks. In this district, the wilderness of Maon, David was hiding when his whereabouts was betrayed to Saul by the men of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:24 f), and only a timely raid by the Philistines delivered him out of that monarch's hands (1 Samuel 23:27).
(2) (Madiam): Maon is named along with the Zidonians and Amalek as having at some time, not mentioned, oppressed Israel (Judges 10:12). The Septuagint "Midian" has been accepted by some scholars as restoring the original text, since, otherwise, the Midianites remain unmentioned. But the Maonites are evidently identical with the Meunim of1 Chronicles 4:41 (Revised Version), the pastoral people destroyed by Hezekiah. In2 Chronicles 20:1 the King James Version, instead of "other beside the Ammonites" we must read "some of the Meunim," as associated with the Ammonites in the battle with Jehoshaphat. Against them also Uzziah was helped of God (2 Chronicles 26:7). They are included among the inhabitants of Mt. Seir (2 Chronicles 20:10, 23), so that an Edomite tribe is intended. It is natural to connect them with Ma`an, a place on the great pilgrimage road, and now a station on the Damascus-Hejaz Railway, to the Southeast of Petra. It undoubtedly represents an ancient stronghold.
The Maonites appear in the lists of those who returned from exile (Ezra 2:50, the King James Version "Mehunim," the Revised Version (British and American) "Meunim";Nehemiah 7:52, "Meunim"). These may possibly be the descendants of prisoners taken in the wars of Jehoshaphat and Uzziah, to whom menial tasks may have been appointed in the temple services.
W. Ewing
Strong's Hebrew
4584.Maon -- "habitation," a place in Judah, also a man of Judah...... 4583, 4584.
Maon. 4585 . "habitation," a
... Isr. Transliteration:
Maon Phonetic Spelling: (maw-ohn') Short Definition:
Maon. Word
...4583.maon -- dwelling, habitation
maon or main. 4582, 4583.maon or main. 4584 . dwelling, habitation.
Transliteration:maon or main Phonetic Spelling: (maw-ohn') Short Definition:...
4586. Meunim -- a people Southeast of the Dead Sea
... Mehunims, Meunim. Or Msiyniy {meh-ee-nee'}; probably patrial from Ma'own; a Meunite,
or inhabitant ofMaon (only in plural) -- Mehunim(-s), Meunim....
1010. Beth Baal Meon -- "house of Baal of (the) habitation," a...
... Word Origin from bayith, Baal, andmaon Definition "house of Baal of (the) habitation,"
a place E. of the Jordan NASB Word Usage Beth-baal-meon (1), Beth-meon...
4585. meonah -- habitation
... Word Origin fem. ofmaon Definition habitation NASB Word Usage den (2), dens (4),
dwelling place (2), habitations (1). den, habitation, dwelling place, refuge....
1186. Baal Meon -- "Baal of (the) habitation," a place East of the...
... Word Origin from Baal andmaon Definition "Baal of (the) habitation," a place
E. of the Jordan NASB Word Usage Baal-meon (3). Baal-meon....
Library
Abigail's Sensible Advice
... THE OLD TESTAMENT ABIGAIL'S SENSIBLE ADVICE. Then David went away into the Wilderness
ofMaon. Now there was a man inMaon, whose property was in Carmel....
How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did...
... intentions of the men of Ziph, and the approach of Saul, he left the Straits of
that country, and fled to the great rock that was in the wilderness ofMaon....
Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... the pious; Zebhul, in which the Upper Jerusalem, and the Temple and the Altar, and
in which Michael, the chief Angel-Prince, offers sacrifices;Maon, in which...
The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him....
... At the very same moment when David was discovered in the wilderness ofMaon, the
Philistines make an inroad into the country, and Saul is forced to depart (1...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <....
In Judaea
... fanciful. [17] Such as Tekoah, Engedi, Ziph,Maon, and Beersheba, which
gave their names to districts in the wilderness of Judaea....
Thesaurus
Maon (7 Occurrences)... and his home (1 Samuel 23:24, 25; 25:2). "Only some small foundations of hewn stone,
a square enclosure, and several cisterns are now to be seen at
Maon.
...Maonites (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaMAON; MAONITES. ma'-on, ma... 2:44, 45). This
evidently means that Shammai was the founder ofMaon....
Ma'on (4 Occurrences)
Ma'on.Maon, Ma'on. Maonites . Multi-Version Concordance Ma'on (4 Occurrences).
Joshua 15:55Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Jutah, (See RSV)....
Ziph (9 Occurrences)
... ZIPH (1). zif (ziph; Ozeib, or Ziph): (1) A town in the hill country of Judah,
mentioned along withMaon, Carmel and Jutah (Joshua 15:55)....
Shammai (5 Occurrences)
... (2) The son of Rekem and father ofMaon (1 Chronicles 2:44).... 1 Chronicles 2:45 The
son of Shammai wasMaon; andMaon was the father of Beth Zur....
Sela-hammahlekoth (1 Occurrence)
... Cliff of divisions the name of the great gorge which lies between Hachilah andMaon,
south-east of Hebron.... pursued after David in the wilderness ofMaon....
Selahammahlekoth (1 Occurrence)
... Cliff of divisions the name of the great gorge which lies between Hachilah andMaon,
south-east of Hebron.... pursued after David in the wilderness ofMaon....
Carmel (33 Occurrences)
... The ruins of this town still remain under the name of Kurmul, about 10 miles
south-south-east of Hebron, close to those ofMaon. Int....
Zur (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 2:45 The son of Shammai wasMaon; andMaon was the father of
Beth Zur. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Foolish, a descendant of Caleb who dwelt atMaon
(1 Samuel 25), the modern Main, 7 miles south-east of Hebron....
Resources
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