◄ 4078. madday ►
Lexical Summary
madday: Madai

Original Word: מַדַּי
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: madday
Pronunciation: mad-dah'ee
Phonetic Spelling: (mad-dah'-ee)
KJV: sufficiently
Word Origin: [from H4100 (מָה מַה מָ מַ מֶה - what) and H1767 (דַּי - often)]

1. what (is) enough, i.e. sufficiently

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sufficiently

From mah and day; what (is) enough, i.e. Sufficiently -- sufficiently.

see HEBREW mah

see HEBREW day

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from mah and day, q.v.

Topical Lexicon
Word Family and Core Sense

מַדַּי (Strong’s Hebrew 4078) is a noun derived from the verbal root מָדַד, “to measure.” Although מַדַּי itself does not appear in the Masoretic Text, its root and cognate forms (for example, מִדָּה “measure,” מַדָּה “garment-measure,” and the verb מָדַד) are frequent. Together they express the idea of measured extent, fixed quantity, or calibrated standard.

Canonical Absence and Interpretive Approach

Because the specific lexical form מַדַּי is unattested in the Old Testament, its significance is inferred from:

1. The semantics of the root מ־ד־ד.
2. Contextual parallels where measurement or extent is thematically central.
3. The wider biblical theology of measuring and divine standards.

Divine Measurement in Scripture

1. Moral Calibration. “Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern” (Proverbs 16:11). The God of Israel is depicted as the ultimate measurer, guaranteeing equity in commerce (Deuteronomy 25:13-15) and justice in society (Amos 8:5-7).
2. Covenantal Boundaries. The measuring line shows Yahweh’s intent to judge or to restore (Jeremiah 31:39; Zechariah 2:1-2; Zechariah 1:16).
3. Eschatological Assurance. Revelation adapts the same motif: “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod” (Revelation 11:1), signaling both protection for the worshipers and impending judgment for the nations.

Historical Context of Measurement

Ancient Near-Eastern commerce relied on standardized weights; deviation meant oppression of the vulnerable. Israel’s Law insists on precise measures to reflect the character of the LORD who “does no injustice” (Zephaniah 3:5). The prophets condemn those who “make the ephah small and the shekel heavy” (Amos 8:5) because tampering with measures distorts the covenantal mandate to love neighbor.

Christological Fulfillment

Jesus Christ embodies the perfect standard: “For in Him the fullness of Deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9). Believers are summoned to “attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). He is both the yardstick and the grace enabling conformity to that yardstick.

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

1. Integrity in Everyday Transactions. Practical obedience to passages such as Leviticus 19:35-36 teaches believers to reflect God’s fairness in modern business or ministry finance.
2. Self-Assessment by a Divine Rule. “But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12). The standard is not human opinion but God’s revealed truth.
3. Pastoral Care. Spiritual leaders employ the principle of accurate measurement when evaluating doctrine (Acts 17:11) and spiritual fruit (Matthew 7:16-20).
4. Eschatological Sobriety. The coming judgment will be conducted “according to the measure” of divine righteousness (Romans 2:2; Acts 17:31). This prospect shapes preaching that calls hearers to repentance and holy living.

Summary

Although מַדַּי (Strong’s 4078) is not cited directly in the Old Testament text, its root concept pervades Scripture. God is the flawless measurer, His Word the precise standard, and Christ the complete fulfillment. Believers who honor these realities cultivate integrity, justice, and hope, living in light of the final “measure” that God Himself will apply.

Links
Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts
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