Lexical Summary mazon: Food, provision, sustenance Original Word: מָזוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meat (Aramaic) corresponding to mazown -- meat. see HEBREW mazown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to mazon Definition food NASB Translation food (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָזוֺן (K§ 15 a) noun [masculine] food (ᵑ7 Syriac); — absolute ׳מ Daniel 4:9; Daniel 4:18. Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew noun מָזוֹן appears twice in the Old Testament, both in Daniel 4, where it speaks of life-sustaining nourishment provided by God through the vast tree of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Though rare, the word embodies a rich biblical theme: the Lord’s faithful provision of food for both humanity and the animal kingdom. Placement in the Book of Daniel • Daniel 4:12: “Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; all creatures were fed from it.” In the dream the king himself is the great tree, raised up by God to bless the nations with safety and sustenance. When the tree is later cut down, Nebuchadnezzar learns that provision can be withdrawn as surely as it is granted. The narrative teaches both pagans and exiles that every meal, every economic blessing, flows from the Most High. Theological Significance 1. Divine Provision. Scripture consistently portrays food as a gracious gift. “The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season” (Psalm 145:15). מָזוֹן in Daniel aligns with this theme: even imperial abundance depends upon heaven. Historical Background Babylon was famed for fertile floodplains and elaborate gardens, yet its bounty is re-interpreted by Daniel as the handiwork of Israel’s God. In a culture that credited gods like Marduk for agricultural success, Daniel 4 boldly assigns that glory to the “King of heaven” (Daniel 4:37). Intertextual Connections • Genesis 1:29-30: original provision to humanity and animals. Together these passages shape a canonical theology in which God’s table is wide enough for all nations and all creatures. Christological Fulfillment While מָזוֹן points to physical food, Jesus reveals the ultimate provision: “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33). Earthly nourishment in Daniel 4 foreshadows the spiritual and eternal sustenance found in Christ, the true source who cannot be “cut down.” Practical Ministry Applications 1. Trust: Believers facing economic uncertainty can rest in the God who once fed exiles under a pagan regime. Key Homiletical Themes • “From tree to table”: tracing God’s provision from Eden’s garden, through Nebuchadnezzar’s tree, to Calvary’s cross and the marriage supper of the Lamb. Conclusion Though occurring only twice, מָזוֹן serves as a vivid witness to the Lord’s sovereign, overflowing care for creation. It summons every age to acknowledge the Giver, receive His gifts with thanksgiving, and share them freely in anticipation of the feast to come. Forms and Transliterations וּמָז֨וֹן ומזון umaZonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:12 HEB: וְאִנְבֵּ֣הּ שַׂגִּ֔יא וּמָז֨וֹן לְכֹ֖לָּא־ בֵ֑הּ NAS: abundant, And in it [was] food for all. KJV: thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all: INT: fruit abundant it food for all under Daniel 4:21 2 Occurrences |
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