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Madai

Locations
Modern Location Northwestern Iran
Coordinates 36.6833, 49.3667

Geographical Setting

Madai denotes the ancient region of Media, situated in the northwestern plateau of modern-day Iran, which served as the heartland of the Median Empire.

What is the meaning of Madai in the Bible?

Madai identifies the geographical region of Media in ancient Persia, inhabited by the Medes, a people prominent in ancient Near Eastern history and biblical narratives.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Madai clarifies the geopolitical context of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, revealing how the Medes functioned as a crucial military and political force in the events surrounding the fall of Nineveh and the subsequent exile of the Israelites.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Madai (located near modern Northwestern Iran) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Madai in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Madai clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Madai." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/madai/
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