4596. mei

Lexicon

mei: Water

Original Word: מְעִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: m`iy
Pronunciation: may
Phonetic Spelling: (meh-ee')
Definition: Water
Meaning: a pile of rubbish, a ruin

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

heap

From avah; a pile of rubbish (as contorted), i.e. A ruin (compare iy) -- heap.

see HEBREW avah

see HEBREW iy

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
perhaps ruin heap
NASB Translation
ruin (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מְעִי only in מַמָּלָה ׳והיתה מ Isaiah 17:1; according to AV RV Thes and others

noun [masculine] = עִי ruin-heap, but form very strange; ᵐ5 omits (ἔσται εἰς πτῶσιν); Gr proposes כְּעִי, Di לְעִי; < dittograph from מעיר Lag^{Semitic i. 29} Che Nö^{ZMG xxxii. 1878, 401} Brd SS Buhl Guⁱⁿ Kau Du.

מְעִי noun [masculine] ruin (si vera lectio); — וְהָֽיְתָה מְעִי מַמָּלָה consecutive Isaiah 17:1 Damascus shall become a ruinous heap (but strike out ׳מ ᵐ5 Lag Che SS Buhl). cf

II. עוה (√ of following, compare Arabic err from the way, Ethiopic : err; distinct from I. עוה, compare Lag^{M. i. 236 f.} Dr^{1Samuel 20:30} Gerber⁹⁰).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root מָעָה (ma'ah), which is not used in the Hebrew Bible but is related to the concept of being wasted or ruined.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G1656 (ἔλεος, eleos): While not directly equivalent, this Greek term for "mercy" contrasts with the idea of ruin by highlighting the potential for divine compassion and restoration.
• G2588 (καρδία, kardia): This term for "heart" can be related to the inner moral and spiritual state of a person or community, which, when corrupted, can lead to a state of ruin.
• G5529 (χάλασμα, chalasmos): This Greek word for "ruin" or "destruction" is more directly related to the concept of מְעִי (me'i), as it describes the physical and metaphorical state of being laid waste.

In summary, מְעִי (me'i) serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from divine guidance, with its imagery of ruins symbolizing both physical destruction and spiritual desolation.

Usage: The term מְעִי (me'i) is used in the context of describing a state of desolation or destruction, often referring to physical ruins or metaphorically to a state of moral or spiritual decay.

Context: • The Hebrew word מְעִי (me'i) appears in the context of describing desolate places or ruins. It is often used to convey the aftermath of divine judgment or the consequences of human sinfulness leading to destruction. The imagery of a "pile of rubbish" serves as a powerful symbol of what remains after a place or a people have been laid waste.
• In the Hebrew Bible, the concept of ruins is frequently associated with the judgment of God upon nations or cities that have turned away from His commandments. The physical state of ruin is a visible manifestation of spiritual and moral decay.
• The term is not frequently used, but its presence in the text underscores the severity of the consequences of disobedience and the ultimate sovereignty of God in enacting justice.

Forms and Transliterations

מְעִ֥י מעי mə‘î mə·‘î meI

Englishman's Concordance

Isaiah 17:1
HEB: מֵעִ֔יר וְהָיְתָ֖ה מְעִ֥י מַפָּלָֽה׃
NAS: And will become a fallen ruin.
KJV: and it shall be a ruinous heap.
INT: A city and will become ruin A fallen

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4596
1 Occurrence

mə·‘î — 1 Occ.