Madai
מָדַי/MAY-day/
“Mede, or middle land”
Summary
Madai was the third son of Japheth and grandson of Noah, traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Medes.
☩Ancestor of the Medes
Madai appears in the Table of Nations as one of the seven sons of Japheth. His name is the Hebrew word for 'Mede' or 'Media,' indicating that his descendants populated the region known in ancient times as Media, located in what is now northwestern Iran. The Medes became a powerful nation, eventually joining with the Persians to overthrow Babylon in 539 BC.
Key verses:Genesis 10:21 Chronicles 1:5
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Madai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Madai," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).