Lexical Summary mazon: Food, Provision Original Word: מָזוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meat, victual From zuwn; food -- meat, victual. see HEBREW zuwn NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zun Definition food, sustenance NASB Translation food (1), sustenance (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָזוֺן noun masculine food, sustenance (so Talmud, Biblical Aramaic, Syriac) — בָּר וָלֶחֶם וּמָזוֺן Genesis 45:23 (Di '׳מ rather an Aramaic word; perhaps later gloss for original צֵדָה Genesis 45:21; Genesis 42:25'); הַמָּזוֺן לָרֹב2Chronicles 11:23. זוֺנָה see זנה. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope מָזוֹן (mazon) denotes food, sustenance, or provision adequate for life and journey. While the term itself appears only twice, the idea saturates Scripture, revealing the Lord as the ultimate Giver of every necessary resource. Occurrences in Scripture • Genesis 45:23 – Joseph sends “grain and bread and provisions for his father on his journey.” Historical Context In patriarchal society, journeys were hazardous unless ample supplies accompanied the travelers. Joseph’s gifts to Jacob secured a safe return to Egypt during a famine, illustrating filial honor and covenant faithfulness. Centuries later, Rehoboam strategically stationed his sons in fortified cities with generous stores, bolstering political stability in Judah after the kingdom’s division. In both texts, mazon serves purposes beyond mere survival: it preserves covenant lineage and fortifies national security. Theological Themes 1. Divine Provision Though humans dispense mazon, Scripture constantly attributes the ultimate source to the Lord. Joseph tells his brothers, “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8). God’s sovereignty undergirds every earthly storehouse (Psalm 104:27–28). 2. Covenant Faithfulness By supplying Jacob, Joseph fulfills earlier assurances: “There I will provide for you” (Genesis 45:11). The theme anticipates God’s covenant pledge, “I will bless her with abundant provisions” (Psalm 132:15). 3. Stewardship and Wisdom Rehoboam “acted wisely” (2 Chronicles 11:23) in distributing mazon. Wise rulers, parents, and church leaders alike mirror this principle, planning ahead so that dependents are neither hungry nor spiritually malnourished (Proverbs 27:23–27; Acts 6:1–4). 4. Foreshadowing of Messianic Sufficiency Joseph, a Spirit-guided savior during famine, prefigures Christ, the true Bread of Life who supplies eternal sustenance (John 6:35). Earthly mazon points to heavenly manna. Practical Ministry Applications • Family Responsibility – “If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his household, he has denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8). Devotional Reflections • Gratitude – Every meal testifies to the Father’s generosity (James 1:17). Related Biblical Vocabulary • לֶחֶם (lechem) – bread, the most common staple. All three enrich the portrait of God’s care reflected in mazon. See Also Exodus 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 34:10; Proverbs 30:8; Matthew 6:25–33; Philippians 4:19 Forms and Transliterations הַמָּז֖וֹן המזון וּמָז֛וֹן ומזון ham·mā·zō·wn hammaZon hammāzōwn ū·mā·zō·wn umaZon ūmāzōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 45:23 HEB: בָּ֣ר וָלֶ֧חֶם וּמָז֛וֹן לְאָבִ֖יו לַדָּֽרֶךְ׃ NAS: and bread and sustenance for his father KJV: and bread and meat for his father INT: grain and bread and sustenance his father the journey 2 Chronicles 11:23 2 Occurrences |
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