Lexical Summary madu: Garment, robe, measure Original Word: מֶדֶו Strong's Exhaustive Concordance garment From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, extent, i.e. Measure; by implication, a dress (as measured) -- garment. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a garment NASB Translation garments (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָ֫דוּ], II. [מַדְוֶה] noun masculine garment; — plural suffix מַדְוֵיהֶם 2 Samuel 10:4 = 1 Chronicles 19:4. מַדְהֵבָה Isaiah 14:4, read מַרְהֵבָה see רהב. I. [מַדְוֶה] see דוה. מַדּוּחִים see נדח. I, II. מָדוֺן see דין. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Translation• 2 Samuel 10:4 In both records Hanun, king of Ammon, “cut off their garments at the middle”, using מֶדֶו to describe the portion of the ambassadors’ robes that was removed. Historical Setting After Nahash’s death, David extended kindness to his son Hanun (2 Samuel 10:2). Influenced by suspicious counsellors, Hanun humiliated David’s diplomats—shaving half their beards and mutilating their attire. In the Ancient Near East a full beard symbolised honour, and a long outer robe signified social standing. Destroying both was a calculated insult that effectively declared war (2 Samuel 10:6). Symbolism of the Garment 1. Identity and Representation The robe marked the wearer as an authorised envoy. Mutilating it assaulted not merely individuals but the king who sent them (compare Luke 10:16). 2. Modesty and Shame Exposure of the lower body publicly shamed the men (Genesis 3:7; Isaiah 20:4). Israelite law guarded nakedness, reserving exposure for situations of judgment (Nahum 3:5). 3. Covenant Dignity Clothing often pictures covenant blessing (Isaiah 61:10). Hanun’s act inverted that imagery, stripping and disgracing those under David’s protection. Theological Implications • Rebellion against the Lord’s anointed Disrespect shown to David’s messengers paralleled disrespect to David and, by extension, to the LORD who had chosen him (1 Samuel 16:13; Psalm 2:2). The incident foreshadows the nations’ hostility toward Messiah and His heralds (John 15:20). • Vindication of God’s servants God defended the honour of His representatives. David did not retaliate rashly but trusted the LORD, and ultimately Ammon’s aggression was overturned (2 Samuel 12:30–31). The pattern anticipates Christ’s promise: “Whoever receives you receives Me” (Matthew 10:40). Christological Foreshadowing The ambassadors’ disgrace prefigures the greater humiliation of Christ, whose own garments were stripped away (John 19:23–24). Yet, as David’s men were later vindicated, so “He who was humiliated will see light and be satisfied” (Isaiah 53:11). Ministry Applications 1. Ambassadors of reconciliation Believers are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). The account warns that the world may dishonour those who carry the gospel, yet God will ultimately uphold their cause. 2. Restoring the shamed David said, “Remain in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return” (2 Samuel 10:5). He provided a place of refuge and time for restoration—an instructive model for pastoral care toward wounded servants. 3. Guarding dignity in service Ministry must respect the God-given dignity of every person, avoiding actions that degrade or expose to unnecessary shame (Philippians 2:3–4). Related Scripture • Isaiah 47:3 – divine judgment expressed by exposure See Also Garment; Ambassador; Shame; Davidic Kingdom Forms and Transliterations מַדְוֵיהֶ֛ם מדויהם maḏ·wê·hem madveiHem maḏwêhemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 10:4 HEB: וַיִּכְרֹ֧ת אֶת־ מַדְוֵיהֶ֛ם בַּחֵ֖צִי עַ֣ד NAS: and cut off their garments in the middle KJV: and cut off their garments in the middle, INT: of their beards and cut their garments the middle far 1 Chronicles 19:4 2 Occurrences |
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