4597. Maay

Lexical Summary

Maay: Intestines, bowels

Original Word: מָעַי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ma`ai
Pronunciation: mah-ah-ee
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-ah'-ee)
KJV: Maai
NASB: Maai
Word Origin: [probably from H4578 (מֵעֶה - body)]

1. sympathetic
2. Maai, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Maai

Probably from me'ah; sympathetic; Maai, an Israelite -- Maai.

see HEBREW me'ah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
an Isr. musician
NASB Translation
Maai (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מָעַי proper name, masculine a musician Nehemiah 12:36; ᵐ5 א^c, a Μααι, ᵐ5^L Μαια.

מֵעִים see מעה. מַעְיָן see below עין.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Context

Nehemiah 12:36 lists Maai among the Levitical singers and instrumentalists who formed part of the joyful procession at the dedication of Jerusalem’s rebuilt wall: “and his relatives—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani—with the musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. Ezra the scribe led the procession” (Berean Standard Bible). Though the name occurs only here, its single appearance places Maai in a significant moment of post-exilic restoration and worship.

Levitical Musicianship

From the time of David, specific Levites were appointed to lead Israel’s music ministry (1 Chronicles 15:16–22; 25:1–7). Maai stands in this Davidic tradition, using “the musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God.” His inclusion underscores two truths:

1. Musical worship in Israel was not a cultural afterthought but a divinely ordered service (2 Chronicles 29:25).
2. Post-exilic leaders carefully re-established those earlier patterns, showing continuity between pre-exilic and restored worship.

Historical Setting: Dedication of the Wall

The dedication ceremony of Nehemiah 12 represents the climactic public act of covenant renewal. Two large choirs processed on the wall itself (Nehemiah 12:31–43). Maai’s group accompanied Ezra’s choir, while Nehemiah led the second. The ceremony united civil (Nehemiah) and spiritual (Ezra) leadership, illustrating that true national security rests on both faithful governance and faithful worship.

Theological Reflections

1. Continuity of Covenant Worship: By replicating Davidic musical guidelines, the returned exiles declared that God’s covenant promises were still valid despite the exile.
2. Corporate Joy as Witness: The choirs’ louder-than-the-city praise testified to surrounding nations that “God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). Maai’s participation contributed to that audible witness.
3. Ordered Service and Spiritual Revival: Structured musical service, far from quenching the Spirit, facilitated communal rejoicing. The careful naming of each participant—including Maai—highlights that God values individual faithfulness within corporate order.

Ministry Application

• Faithful anonymity: Maai is otherwise unknown, yet Scripture remembers him for a single act of obedient service. Christian servants today may never become prominent, but faithful participation in God-given roles is eternally significant (1 Corinthians 15:58).
• Heritage of musical excellence: Churches seeking to revitalize worship can look to Nehemiah 12 for a model that blends historical faithfulness with present-tense joy.
• Leadership and Laity Together: Ezra led the procession, but Maai and his fellow Levites supplied the music. Effective ministry arises when Word-centered leadership and Spirit-filled service co-labor.

Summary

Maai’s lone mention captures the essence of restored worship: every named servant, no matter how briefly noted, contributes to the grand chorus of God’s redemptive story.

Forms and Transliterations

מָעַ֞י מעי mā‘ay mā·‘ay maAi

Englishman's Concordance

Nehemiah 12:36
HEB: מִֽלֲלַ֡י גִּֽלֲלַ֡י מָעַ֞י נְתַנְאֵ֤ל וִֽיהוּדָה֙
NAS: Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel,
KJV: Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel,
INT: Milalai Gilalai Maai Nethanel Judah

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4597
1 Occurrence

mā·‘ay — 1 Occ.