Lexical Summary
madon: strife, contentious, contention
Original Word: מָדוֹן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: madown
Pronunciation: mah-DONE
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-dohn')
KJV: brawling, contention(-ous), discord, strife
NASB: strife, contentious, contention, contentions, object of contention
Word Origin: [from H1777 (דִּין דּוּן - judge)]
1. a contest or quarrel
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
brawling, contention, discord, strife
From diyn; a contest or quarrel -- brawling, contention(-ous), discord, strife. Compare midyan, mdan.
see HEBREW diyn
see HEBREW midyan
see HEBREW mdan
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
dinDefinitionstrife, contention
NASB Translationcontention (4), contentions (3), contentious (5), object of contention (1), strife (7).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I.
Proverbs 22:10 —
Psalm 80:7 9t.; plural
Proverbs 18:18,
Proverbs 18:19 7t.; contracted into
Proverbs 6:19;
Proverbs 10:12,
Proverbs 6:14; construct
Proverbs 19:13.
strife, contention, almost wholly Proverbs: — Proverbs 18:19; Proverbs 23:29; Proverbs 26:20; also Proverbs 17:14 ("" ), Proverbs 22:10 ("" ); Habakkuk 1:3 contention ariseth ("" ); let loose strife Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 16:28; he stirreth up strife Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 28:25; Proverbs 29:22; note especially Proverbs 26:21 = a contentious, quarrelsome man; oftener = a contentious woman Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 25:24; Proverbs 27:15, compare Proverbs 21:19.
object of contention Psalm 80:7, compare Jeremiah 15:10 ("" ). — On 2 Samuel 21:20 Qr, see I. below .
Topical Lexicon
Lexical and Conceptual Overview מָדוֹן depicts heated contention, quarrel, or discord that sets people at odds and destroys fellowship. It is not mere difference of opinion but the open outbreak of self-assertive conflict that violates the harmony God intends for His covenant community.
Occurrences and Literary Distribution
Seventeen occurrences appear in Psalms, Proverbs, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk. The saturation of מָדוֹן in Proverbs shows that strife is primarily a heart issue expressed in daily relationships, while the prophetic uses expose it as a societal cancer that invites divine judgment.
Wisdom Literature: Diagnosing the Roots of Strife
• Pride and greed: “A covetous man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper” (Proverbs 28:25).
• Anger: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute” (Proverbs 15:18).
• Deceitful speech: “A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28).
• Gossip: “Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down” (Proverbs 26:20).
• Alcohol abuse: strife belongs to the catalogue of woes produced by drink (Proverbs 23:29).
• Domestic friction: “Better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house with a quarrelsome wife” (Proverbs 25:24).
The wise therefore confront strife at its root—sinful desires—rather than merely managing outward symptoms.
Pastoral Consequences: Personal and Social Destruction
Proverbs likens the start of strife to opening floodgates (Proverbs 17:14); once unleashed, it overwhelms relationships. Psalm 80:6 laments national humiliation: “You make us contend with our neighbors; our enemies mock us.” Strife distances neighbors, divides friends, unsettles families, and fractures communities.
Prophetic Voices: Strife as Evidence of Covenant Breakdown
Jeremiah feels branded “a man of strife and contention to the whole land” (Jeremiah 15:10), illustrating how a prophet who speaks truth becomes the lightning rod for a contentious people. Habakkuk cries, “Destruction and violence are before me; strife exists, and contention arises” (Habakkuk 1:3), portraying societal chaos that precedes judgment. In both passages מָדוֹן signals spiritual rebellion that demands divine intervention.
Divine Remedy: The Way of Peace
1. Remove the instigator: “Drive out a mocker, and strife will depart” (Proverbs 22:10).
2. Cultivate patience and gentle speech (Proverbs 15:1; 15:18).
3. Practice forbearance: “Love covers all transgressions” (Proverbs 10:12).
4. Trust the LORD rather than self-interest (Proverbs 28:25).
5. Pursue righteousness; peace is its fruit (Isaiah 32:17).
The Old Testament anticipates the Prince of Peace who reconciles hostile parties in Himself (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Guidance for Ministry Today
• Preach repentance from pride, anger, and greed—the perennial sources of contention.
• Model peacemaking; leaders must embody James 3:17’s “peaceable” wisdom.
• Use church discipline to remove divisive persons when necessary, echoing Proverbs 22:10 and Titus 3:10-11.
• Offer biblical counseling that addresses heart idols fueling conflict.
• Intercede for the Spirit’s unifying work; only He can replace מָדוֹן with shalom.
מָדוֹן thus warns against the destructive power of human self-will and directs believers to the One who reconciles all things to Himself, securing lasting peace within His people.
Forms and Transliterations
וּ֝מִדְיָנִ֗ים וּמָד֖וֹן ומדון ומדינים מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים מִדְיָנִ֣ים מִדְיָנִ֥ים מִדְיָנִ֨ים מָ֭דוֹן מָד֑וֹן מָד֖וֹן מָדֽוֹן׃ מדון מדון׃ מדינים mā·ḏō·wn Madon māḏōwn miḏ·yā·nîm midyaNim miḏyānîm ū·mā·ḏō·wn ū·miḏ·yā·nîm umaDon ūmāḏōwn umidyaNim ūmiḏyānîm
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