מִדְיָן
mid.yan
contention
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "mid.yan" (H4079) is defined as "contention." It is associated with the semantic domain of "Construction & Crafts," which may seem unrelated at first glance. However, this domain likely refers to the process of building or creating something, rather than the physical materials involved. As a word for "contention," "mid.yan" suggests a sense of opposition or dispute that arises during the process of building or creating. This could be between individuals, groups, or even within oneself. The word's occurrence in the Bible 10 times indicates its significance in the narrative, possibly highlighting the challenges and conflicts that arise in the pursuit of creative or constructive endeavors. The frequency of "mid.yan" in the Bible also suggests that contention is a natural and potentially recurring aspect of human experience, particularly in situations where individuals or groups are working together towards a common goal.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences across the text
in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord.
Proverbs 18:18The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
Proverbs 18:19A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
Proverbs 19:13A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
Proverbs 21:9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 21:19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
Proverbs 23:29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Proverbs 25:24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 26:21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
Proverbs 27:15A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike: