Lexical Summary mayan or mayeno or mayanah: Spring, fountain, source Original Word: מַעְיָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fountain, spring, well Or ma ynow (Psa. 114:8) {mah-yen-o'}; or (feminine) ma yanah {mah-yaw-naw'}; from ayin (as a denominative in the sense of a spring); a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction) -- fountain, spring, well. see HEBREW ayin NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ayin Definition a spring NASB Translation fountain (2), fountains (2), spring (8), springs (11). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַעְיָן noun masculineProverbs 8:24 spring; — absolute ׳מ Psalm 74:15 +; construct מַעְיַן 2 Kings 3:25 +, מַעְיְנוֺ Psalm 114:8 (Ges§ 90n); suffix מַעְיָנוֺ Hosea 13:15; plural מַעְיָנוֺת Isaiah 41:18 +, מַעְיָנִים Psalm 104:10; construct מַעְיְנוֺת Genesis 7:11 +, מַעְיְנֵי 1 Kings 18:5; 2 Kings 3:19, מַעַיְנֵי Isaiah 12:3; suffix מַעְיָנִי Psalm 87:7 (but see below), מַעְיְנֹתֶיךָ Proverbs 5:16; — spring, construct before מַיִם 1 Kings 18:5; 2 Kings 3:19,25; Joshua 15:9; Joshua 18:15 (both P), Psalm 114:8, compare Proverbs 8:24; ׳מַע alone Isaiah 41:18; Leviticus 11:36 (P), Psalm 74:15; Psalm 104:10; 2Chronicles 32:4, compare Joel 4:18 (in eschatological picture); in simile Proverbs 25:26; תְּהוֺם ׳מ Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:2 (compare Proverbs 8:28); figurative of source of happiness, enjoyment Hosea 13:15 ("" מְקוֺרוֺ Psalm 84:7; Proverbs 5:16 (of wife, see Toy), compare חָתוּם ׳מ Songs 4:12, גַּנִּים ׳מ; Songs 4:15; also Psalm 87:7 (si vera lectio; so De Che Du; Hup Bae We read form of מָעוֺן dwelling; הַיְשׁוּעָה ׳מ Isaiah 12:3. I. [עִיף] = II. עוּף q. v. for עֵיפָה, עֵיפַי etc. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Motifמַעְיָן (maʿyān) denotes a spring, fountain, or source of flowing water. Across its twenty-three appearances the word consistently conveys the idea of a life-giving outflow that originates underground and rises to the surface. Scripture employs the term in literal, poetic, wisdom, and prophetic contexts, weaving together themes of provision, purity, joy, judgment, and eschatological hope. Essential Water for Life and Land 1. Survival in Arid Climates 2. Boundary Markers and Settlement Identity Purity and Ritual Significance Leviticus 11:36 distinguishes a “spring or cistern, a gathering of water” as inherently clean even when a carcass falls nearby. Flowing water thus symbolized continual cleansing, prefiguring spiritual purification later fulfilled in the Messiah’s work and the Holy Spirit’s outpouring. Poetic Celebrations of God’s Provision 1. Psalms 2. Proverbs Nuptial Imagery in Song of Songs Song of Songs 4:12 praises the bride as “a garden locked, a spring enclosed,” affirming the sanctity of marital intimacy. Verse 15 extends the picture: “You are a garden spring, a well of living water.” The protected spring depicts covenant fidelity and delight, foreshadowing Christ’s pure love for His Church. Prophetic and Eschatological Hope 1. Salvation Joy 2. Restoration after Judgment 3. Comfort to the Poor Judgment Imagery In the Moabite campaign narrative, 2 Kings 3:19, 25 records Elisha’s prophecy that every “spring” of the enemy land would be stopped, rendering it barren. Springs thus become a barometer of blessing or curse depending on a nation’s stance toward the Lord. Intertextual Echoes Toward the New Covenant The Gospel of John repeatedly speaks of “living water” (John 4:10-14; John 7:37-39). Though Greek texts use different vocabulary, the conceptual backdrop is maʿyān: an ever-fresh, God-birthed source. Believers who receive the Holy Spirit become, in Jesus’ words, “springs of living water” overflowing to eternal life, fulfilling the prophetic vision of Isaiah and Joel. Ministry and Devotional Applications 1. Reliance on the Hidden Source Just as springs rise from unseen aquifers, Christian vitality flows from the indwelling Spirit rather than human effort. Leaders shepherd best when they draw continually from this subterranean grace. 2. Guarding Moral Purity Believers are called to protect the “spring” of their heart (Proverbs 4:23) lest impurity pollute their witness. The imagery of a “muddied spring” warns that compromise diminishes gospel effectiveness. 3. Offering Refreshment to Others Congregations can view themselves as local springs in a spiritually arid culture—centers of refreshment where Scripture, prayer, and sacrificial love flow freely. 4. Anticipating Final Renewal Meditation on Joel 3:18 and Revelation 22:1 nurtures hope for the consummate kingdom in which the Lamb’s throne releases the river of life, saturating the new creation. Summary From the Flood narrative (Genesis 7:11) to prophetic vistas of cosmic renewal, maʿyān threads Scripture with a single storyline: the Lord alone is the inexhaustible source of life. Physical springs testify to His providence; moral springs test human character; spiritual springs proclaim His salvation. Those who come to Him in faith discover that “all my springs are in You” (Psalm 87:7). Forms and Transliterations הַמַּעְיָנ֔וֹת המעינות וּמַעְיָ֗ן ומעין לְמַעְיְנוֹ־ למעינו־ מִמַּעַיְנֵ֖י מַ֝עְיָנ֗וֹת מַ֭עְיָנִים מַעְיְנֵ֣י מַעְיְנֵי־ מַעְיְנֹ֣ת מַעְיְנֹת֙ מַעְיְנֹתֶ֣יךָ מַעְיַ֖ן מַעְיַ֣ן מַעְיַן֙ מַעְיַן־ מַעְיָ֣ן מַעְיָ֥ן מַעְיָנ֑וֹת מַעְיָנ֔וֹ מַעְיָנַ֥י ממעיני מעין מעין־ מעינו מעינות מעיני מעיני־ מעינים מעינת מעינתיך ham·ma‘·yā·nō·wṯ hamma‘yānōwṯ hammayaNot lə·ma‘·yə·nōw- ləma‘yənōw- lemayenov ma‘·yā·nay ma‘·yā·nîm ma‘·yā·nō·wṯ ma‘·yā·nōw ma‘·yan ma‘·yān ma‘·yan- ma‘·yə·nê ma‘·yə·nê- ma‘·yə·nō·ṯe·ḵā ma‘·yə·nōṯ ma‘yan ma‘yān ma‘yan- ma‘yānay ma‘yānîm ma‘yānōw ma‘yānōwṯ ma‘yənê ma‘yənê- ma‘yənōṯ ma‘yənōṯeḵā maYan mayaNai Mayanim mayaNo mayaNot mayeNei mayeNot mayenoTeicha mim·ma·‘ay·nê mimaayNei mimma‘aynê ū·ma‘·yān ūma‘yān umaYanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 7:11 HEB: נִבְקְעוּ֙ כָּֽל־ מַעְיְנֹת֙ תְּה֣וֹם רַבָּ֔ה NAS: all the fountains of the great KJV: day were all the fountains of the great INT: burst all the fountains deep of the great Genesis 8:2 Leviticus 11:36 Joshua 15:9 Joshua 18:15 1 Kings 18:5 2 Kings 3:19 2 Kings 3:25 2 Chronicles 32:4 Psalm 74:15 Psalm 84:6 Psalm 87:7 Psalm 104:10 Psalm 114:8 Proverbs 5:16 Proverbs 8:24 Proverbs 25:26 Songs 4:12 Songs 4:15 Isaiah 12:3 Isaiah 41:18 Hosea 13:15 Joel 3:18 23 Occurrences |
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