What does מָאֵן · אָב mean in the Bible?
מָאֵן · אָב is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to refuse".
Hebrew · H3985, H1
מָאֵן יְמָאֵן אָבִיהָ
To refuse · father , in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
מָאֵן H3985 to refuse
Pronunciation māʾēn
To refuse persistently or firmly; often conveys stubborn resistance to divine will or covenant obligation
Open lexicon entry →
אָב H1 father , in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Pronunciation ʾāb
Father as both literal parent and figurative source/founder; extends to ancestor, chief, and originating authority
Open lexicon entry →
What does מָאֵן יְמָאֵן אָבִיהָ (ma'en yema'en aviha) mean in the Bible?
מָאֵן · אָב is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to refuse".
Full entry for מָאֵן יְמָאֵן אָבִיהָ (H3985, H1) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H3985, H1?
H3985, H1 is connected to 1,254 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to refuse
Source Gloss
to refuse
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 groups 1 Aligned forms 26
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 26×
Perfect Hos 11:5 · Jer 5:3 · Jer 8:5 · Jer 9:5 · Jer 11:10 · Jer 50:33 · Prov 21:7 · Prov 21:25 · Ps 78:10 · 1Kgs 21:15 · Deut 25:7 · Exod 7:14 · Num 22:13 · Num 22:14 · Jer 15:18 · Jer 31:15 22×
Imperfect Exod 22:16 · Isa 1:20 · Jer 25:28 3×
Infinitive absolute Exod 22:16 1×
Word Origins
מָאֵן יְמָאֵן אָבִיהָ is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain