Maón (Heb. Mâ’ôn, “dwelling”). 1. People who oppressed Israel (Jdg 10:12), probably those who are called “those of Meunim” elsewhere. 2. Wilderness in the region of Maon to which David fled from Saul (1Sa 23:24-26). 3. Town in the mountainous region of Judah (Jos 15:55), the residence of Nabal (1Sa 25:2, 3). now Tell Ma%în, about 13 km south of Hebron. The region to the east of Maon, an arid region that falls towards the Dead Sea, is apparently “the desert of Maon” in which David took refuge (23:24). Map VI, F-3. 4. Descendant of Judah, son of Samai and ancestor of the people of Beth-sur (1Ch 2:45). Some believe that Maon was the ancestor of the inhabitants of Maon 2, and that Beth-sur was founded by the people of Maon.
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
(Heb. ma†™on, room).
1. A descendant of Caleb (1Ch 2:42-45).
2. A village on a rock south of Hebron, the mountain was called Rock of Separations (1Sa 23:24-28; RVA Selahamajlecot; RVR-1960 Sela-hama-lecot, Rock of divisions). Nabal and Abigail’s home was there (1Sa 25:1-3).
3. Those of Maón are part of the list of those who were defeated by Jehovah (Jdg 10:11-12). They were known as sons of Meunim and may have come from Arabia. His descendants were among the temple attendants at the time of Ezra (Ezr 2:50).
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
Desert region near which a city with this name was based. He corresponded to the tribe of Judah in the division of the land (Jos 15:55). The inhabitants of M. came to afflict the Israelites (Judges 10:11-12). Fleeing from Saul, David and his men took refuge in M. (1Sa 23:24). In the city of M. lived †¢Nabal (1Sa 25:2). The site is now identified as Tell Ma†™in.
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
tip, TRIB CITY BIOG HOMB HOAT
sit, a3, 312, 289
vet, = “dwelling”. (a) Population in the mountainous area of Judea (Josh. 15:55; 1 Sam. 23:24, 25; 25:2), today Main, south of Hebron. (b) A head of families from the tribe of Judah (1 Chron. 1:8, 9, 11, 13); in 1 Chron. 2:45 the name seems to be used as a demonym. (c) Arab people who oppressed Israel (Judges 10:12; 1 Chron. 39:41), and whose residence seems to have been almost to the east of modern Petra. They are called “ammonites” in 2 Chron. 26:7.
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
= “dwelling”.
(a) Population in the mountainous area of Judea (Josh. 15:55; 1 Sam. 23:24, 25; 25:2), today Main, south of Hebron.
(b) A head of families from the tribe of Judah (1 Chron. 1:8, 9, 11, 13); in 1 Chron. 2:45 the name seems to be used as a demonym.
(c) Arab people who oppressed Israel (Judges 10:12; 1 Chron. 39:41), and whose residence seems to have been almost to the east of modern Petra. They are called “ammonites” in 2 Chron. 26:7.
– At 39 km. south of Jerusalem, near where David hid from Saul, he was betrayed by Ziph’s men and escaped by reason of a sudden invasion by the Philistines, 1 Samuel 23-24 (23:24, 25).
Source: Geographic Dictionary of the Bible
1. Descendant of Caleb through the line of Samai. He may have been the father of the inhabitants of Bethzur, or perhaps he was the most notorious citizen or founder of the city. (1Ch 2:42, 45)
2. City in the hill country of Judah. (Jos 15:20, 48, 55) King Saul of Israel harassed David and his men into the desert area around Maon; however, being informed of a Philistine attack, he was forced to abandon the pursuit. (1Sa 23:24-28) Later, Nabal, a wealthy landowner who apparently resided in Maon, treated David’s men harshly. (1Sa 25:2-11) This locality is usually identified with Tell Ma`in (Horvat Ma`on ), which is on top of a hill about 13 km SSE. from Hebron.
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
1. Descendant of the Calebite branch of the tribe of Judah. Maón was son of Samai and father of the inhabitants of Bet-sur (1 Cr. 2.45). The city of Maon appears in Judah in the list of Josh. 15.55. David and his men took refuge in this region when they fled from Saul (1 Sam. 23.24–25), and the mystic Nabal lived there (1 Sam. 25.2). The Maonites are mentioned in the official list of those who returned from exile (Ezra 2.50, °vrv2 “Meunim”; Neh. 7.52, °vrv2 “Mehunim”). Khirbet el-Main, 14 km S of Hebron and 20 km SW of Gaza, marks the ancient site. There were found remains of pottery from the early Iron Age I, and an extraordinary synagogue with mosaics, from the end of the ss. IV-VI AD It is surrounded by grazing land, probably “the wilderness of Maon” where David hid from Saul (1 Sam. 23.24–25) and was saved by a Philistine raid (1 Sam. 23.27s).
2. Hostile people of the Transjordan, related to Amalek and the Sidonians as oppressors of Israel (Jud. 10.12); pastoral people attacked by Hezekiah (1 Chr. 4.41; °bj “Meunites”), and Uzziah (2 Chr. 26.7). His relationship with Arabs and Ammonites (2 Chron. 20.1) suggests that ma˓ānSE of Petra, may have been where they lived.
JAT
Douglas, J. (2000). New Biblical Dictionary: First Edition. Miami: United Bible Societies.
Source: New Bible Dictionary