What does מָעַד (lō’ ṯimə‘aḏ) mean in the Bible?
מָעַד (lō’ ṯimə‘aḏ): To slip or slide away; often used of moral/spiritual foundations giving way beneath one's feet
Hebrew · H4571
מָעַד
To waver
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מָעַדH4571
Pronunciationlō’ ṯimə‘aḏ
What does מָעַד (lō’ ṯimə‘aḏ) mean in the Bible?
מָעַד (lō’ ṯimə‘aḏ): To slip or slide away; often used of moral/spiritual foundations giving way beneath one's feet
Full entry for מָעַד (H4571) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4571?
The BSB source-word alignment has 7 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include give way (2), are slipping (1), be bent (1), falter (1), out of joint (1).
Where does מָעַד (lō’ ṯimə‘aḏ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 2 Samuel 22:37. Its strongest book concentrations include Psalms (4), 2 Samuel (1), Job (1), Proverbs (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itgive way2×2 Samuel 22:37, Psalms 18:36
are slipping1×Job 12:5
be bent1×Psalms 69:23
falter1×Psalms 37:31
out of joint1×Proverbs 25:19
wavering1×Psalms 26:1
Show sample aligned rows
2 Samuel 22:37מָעֲד֖וּtogive wayVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralJob 12:5לְמ֣וֹעֲדֵיtoare slippingPreposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructPsalms 18:36מָ֝עֲד֗וּtogive wayVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralPsalms 26:1אֶמְעָֽד׃towaveringVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singularPsalms 37:31תִמְעַ֣דtofalterVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularPsalms 69:23הַמְעַֽד׃tobe bentVerb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singularProverbs 25:19מוּעָ֑דֶתtoout of jointVerb - QalPass - Participle - feminine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row2 Samuel 22:37
Aligned rows7
Books represented4
2 Samuel1Job1Psalms4Proverbs1
Source forms
אֶמְעָֽד׃1x’em·‘āḏPsalms 26:1
הַמְעַֽד׃1xham·‘aḏPsalms 69:23
לְמ֣וֹעֲדֵי1xlə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏêJob 12:5
מוּעָ֑דֶת1xmū·‘ā·ḏeṯProverbs 25:19
מָעֲד֖וּ1xmā·‘ă·ḏū2 Samuel 22:37
מָ֝עֲד֗וּ1xmā·‘ă·ḏūPsalms 18:36
תִמְעַ֣ד1xṯim·‘aḏPsalms 37:31
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural2x2 Samuel 22:37, Psalms 18:36
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct1xJob 12:5
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular1xPsalms 69:23
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular1xPsalms 26:1
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular1xPsalms 37:31
Verb - QalPass - Participle - feminine singular1xProverbs 25:19
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. To slip or slide away; often used of moral/spiritual foundations giving way beneath one's feet
Strong'sH4571
Lexical occurrences6 versesWord forms2 forms5 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkPsalms 37:27–33Source Gloss
to waver
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
To slip or slide away; often used of moral/spiritual foundations giving way beneath one's feet
to waver BDB: slip Usage: make to shake, slide, slip.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms5
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense4×
Perfect2Sam 22:37 · Ps 18:372×
ImperfectPs 26:1 · Ps 37:312×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action1×
Sequential imperfectPs 69:241×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
Will not slip; will not totter; will not shake; refers to spiritual and moral stability in difficult circumstances
Showing 1 selected witness from 6 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
מָעַד is a primitive root - no further derivation.