The meaning of “מָוֶת”
Understanding mâveth reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
(be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). - death (natural or violent) - concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades) - figu...
מָוֶת
(be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). - death (natural or violent) - concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades) - figuratively, pestilence, ruin 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 27:2 | “And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:” Word: מָוֶת (mâveth) | |
| Joshua 2:13 | “And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” Word: מָוֶת (mâveth) | |
| 1 Kings 11:40 | “Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.” Word: מָוֶת (mâveth) | |
| Job 27:15 | “Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.” Word: מָוֶת (mâveth) | |
| Isaiah 28:18 | “And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.” Word: מָוֶת (mâveth) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Death
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Death
The Hebrew mavet (מָוֶת) means death—the cessation of physical life and separation from God. Death entered through sin (Genesis 2:17), but God promises deliverance: 'O death, I will be thy plagues' (Hosea 13:14).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Death
The Greek thanatos (θάνατος) denotes death—both physical death and spiritual separation from God. Christ conquered death through His resurrection, making death merely a transition for believers: 'to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord' (2 Corinthians 5:8).