The Maonites are a group mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the region of Maon, which is located in the southern part of Judah. The name "Maonites" is derived from the town of Maon, which is situated in the wilderness of Judah, near the desert of Paran. This area is characterized by its rugged terrain and sparse vegetation, making it suitable for pastoral activities.

Biblical References

The Maonites are mentioned in the context of Israel's history during the period of the Judges. In Judges 10:12, the Maonites are listed among the oppressors of Israel: "The Sidonians, Amalekites, and Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to Me, did I not deliver you from their hands?" . This verse highlights the recurring cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the era of the Judges. The Maonites, along with other neighboring groups, were instruments of God's judgment upon Israel when the Israelites turned away from Him.

Historical Context

The Maonites, like many other groups mentioned in the Old Testament, were likely a semi-nomadic people who inhabited the arid regions of the Negev and the southern Judean wilderness. Their lifestyle would have been centered around pastoralism, with sheep and goats being the primary livestock. The harsh environment of the region necessitated a nomadic or semi-nomadic way of life, as the inhabitants moved in search of grazing land and water sources.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Maonites, as part of the broader Canaanite and desert-dwelling cultures, would have been polytheistic, worshiping a pantheon of gods and goddesses associated with nature and fertility. Their religious practices would have been in stark contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. This religious difference often led to conflict, as the Israelites were commanded to remain separate from the idolatrous practices of their neighbors.

Interactions with Israel

The Maonites' interactions with Israel were primarily adversarial, as seen in the book of Judges. Their oppression of Israel is indicative of the broader regional conflicts that occurred as various groups vied for control and resources. The Israelites' deliverance from the Maonites, as mentioned in Judges 10:12, underscores the theme of divine intervention and faithfulness, as God responded to the cries of His people despite their repeated unfaithfulness.

Geographical Significance

The town of Maon itself is mentioned in 1 Samuel 23:24-25, where David sought refuge from King Saul: "So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon. And Saul and his men went to seek him, but David was informed and went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon" . This passage highlights the strategic importance of the region as a place of refuge and its challenging terrain, which provided natural defenses.

In summary, the Maonites were a group that played a role in the tumultuous period of the Judges, serving as one of the many oppressors used by God to discipline His people. Their presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the constant threats faced by Israel and the need for reliance on God's deliverance.Maonites

Called MEHUNIM in 2 Chronicles 26:7, an Arabian tribe, named with the Amalekintes and other foes of Israel. Their abode may have been near the place now called Maan, nearly east of Petra, on the Haj route from Damascus to Mecca. Uzziah defeated them.

MAON; MAONITES

ma'-on, ma'-on-its, ma-o'-nits (ma`on; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Maor, Maan; Codex Alexandrinus Maon):

(1) A town in the mountain of Judah named along with Carmel and Ziph (Joshua 15:55). It appears again as the home of Nabal, the great flockmaster (1 Samuel 25:2). In the genealogical list of 1 Chronicles 2, Maon stands as the "son" of Shammai and the "father" of Beth-zur (2:44, 45). This evidently means that Shammai was the founder of Maon. About a mile South of el-Karmil, the ancient Carmel, lies Tell Ma`in. This may be confidently identified with Maon, the radicals of the names being the same. It suits the requirements of the narratives in other respects, being near to Carmel, while the surrounding wilderness is still used as the wide pasture land for multitudinous flocks. In this district, the wilderness of Maon, David was hiding when his whereabouts was betrayed to Saul by the men of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:24 f), and only a timely raid by the Philistines delivered him out of that monarch's hands (1 Samuel 23:27).

(2) (Madiam): Maon is named along with the Zidonians and Amalek as having at some time, not mentioned, oppressed Israel (Judges 10:12). The Septuagint "Midian" has been accepted by some scholars as restoring the original text, since, otherwise, the Midianites remain unmentioned. But the Maonites are evidently identical with the Meunim of 1 Chronicles 4:41 (Revised Version), the pastoral people destroyed by Hezekiah. In 2 Chronicles 20:1 the King James Version, instead of "other beside the Ammonites" we must read "some of the Meunim," as associated with the Ammonites in the battle with Jehoshaphat. Against them also Uzziah was helped of God (2 Chronicles 26:7). They are included among the inhabitants of Mt. Seir (2 Chronicles 20:10, 23), so that an Edomite tribe is intended. It is natural to connect them with Ma`an, a place on the great pilgrimage road, and now a station on the Damascus-Hejaz Railway, to the Southeast of Petra. It undoubtedly represents an ancient stronghold.

The Maonites appear in the lists of those who returned from exile (Ezra 2:50, the King James Version "Mehunim," the Revised Version (British and American) "Meunim"; Nehemiah 7:52, "Meunim"). These may possibly be the descendants of prisoners taken in the wars of Jehoshaphat and Uzziah, to whom menial tasks may have been appointed in the temple services.

W. Ewing

4584. Maon -- "habitation," a place in Judah, also a man of Judah ...
... an enemy of Isr. NASB Word Usage Maon (7), Maonites (1). Maon, Maonites. The
same as ma'own; a residence; Maon, the name of an Israelite ...
/hebrew/4584.htm - 6kMaonites (3 Occurrences)
... MAON; MAONITES. ... But the Maonites are evidently identical with the Meunim of 1 Chronicles
4:41 (Revised Version), the pastoral people destroyed by Hezekiah. ...
/m/maonites.htm - 10k

Maon (7 Occurrences)
... MAON; MAONITES. ... But the Maonites are evidently identical with the Meunim of 1 Chronicles
4:41 (Revised Version), the pastoral people destroyed by Hezekiah. ...
/m/maon.htm - 12k

Zophar (4 Occurrences)
... distress (Job 2:11. The LXX. render here "king of the Mineans" = Ma'in,
Maonites, Judges 10:12, in Southern Arabia). He is called a ...
/z/zophar.htm - 10k

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:12 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress
you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. ...
/z/zidonians.htm - 10k

Nethinim (16 Occurrences)
... The Meunim, for example (Ezra 2:50 equals Nehemiah 7:52), are in all likelihood
descended from the Meonites or Maonites who are mentioned as harassing Israel ...
/n/nethinim.htm - 18k

Oppress (57 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:12 The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress
you; and you cried to me, and I saved you out of their hand. ...
/o/oppress.htm - 24k

Ma'on (4 Occurrences)
Ma'on. Maon, Ma'on. Maonites . Multi-Version Concordance Ma'on (4 Occurrences). ...
(See RSV). Maon, Ma'on. Maonites . Reference Bible.
/m/ma'on.htm - 7k

Mehunims (1 Occurrence)
... This word is in Hebrew the plural of Ma'on, and thus denotes the Maonites who
inhabited the country on the eastern side of the Wady el-Arabah. ...
/m/mehunims.htm - 7k

Ma'onites (1 Occurrence)
Ma'onites. Maonites, Ma'onites. Map . Multi-Version Concordance Ma'onites
(1 Occurrence). ... (DBY RSV). Maonites, Ma'onites. Map . Reference Bible.
/m/ma'onites.htm - 6k

Amalekites (36 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:12 The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress
you; and you cried to me, and I saved you out of their hand. ...
/a/amalekites.htm - 18k

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