Macedonia to Martha
Meaning of Bible Names

Macedonia, with its capital city of Thessalonica, became a Roman province in 147 B.C. It was one of the primary provinces the Apostle Paul focused most of his evangelistic efforts. Cities in this area included Berea, Neapolis, Thessalonica, Nicopolis and Philippi.

References
Acts 16:9 - 12, 18:5, 19:21 - 29, 20:1, 3, Romans 15:26, 1Corinthians 16:5, 2Corinthians 1:16, 2:13, 7:5, 8:1, 9:2, 4, 11:9, 13:14, Philippians 4:15, 1Thessalonians 1:7 - 10, 1Timothy 1:3, Titus 3:15

Machpelah
Fold, double, portion
Strong's #H4375

Located near Hebron (Mamre), the cave of Machpelah was initially purchased by Abraham as a burial location for his beloved wife Sarah.

The cave would also become his own burial location and that of his son Isaac and his wife Rebekah. Abraham's grandson Jacob (Israel) and his wife Leah are also buried at Machpelah.

Madmen
Dunghill
Strong's #H4086

Madmen, an unknown location in Moabite territory, was prophecied to be destroyed by Jeremiah.

Madon
Strife
Strong's #H4068

Madon was a city in Galilee whose king joined an unsuccessful alliance to fight Israel's army led by Joshua.

Magog
Land of Gog
Strong's #H4031, #G3098

Magog is the name of one of Noah's grandsons through Japheth.

Gog, of the land of Magog, is prophecied to be one of the leaders who will use their military might to fight against the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Mahanaim
Double camp, two camps
Strong's #H4266

Mahanaim was a Levitical city within the tribe of Gad's inheritance in the Promised Land. The city was on the major north-south route, east of the Jordan River, called the King's Highway.

Mahanehdan
Camp of Dan
Strong's #H4265

Located near Kirjathjearim, Mahanehdan was one of the places the tribe of Dan camped as they traveled north to attack the city of Laish (Leshem). After conquered Laish they rename it Dan.

Makkedah
Place of shepherds, herding
Strong's #H4719

Makkedah was given to the tribe of Judah as an inheritance in the Promised Land. It is the location where Joshua killed five allied Amorite kings who had fled the battlefield at Gibeon.

Malachi
My messenger, ministrative
Strong's #H4401

Malachi, one of the Minor Prophets, is the author of the Biblical book named after him. He gave prophecies regarding being prepared for God's Messenger (Jesus Christ). He additionally spoke against divorce, adultery, priestly neglect of duties and robbing the Eternal by not tithing.

Malchus
King, kingdom
Strong's #G3124

Malchus was the High Priest's servant whose right ear Peter cut off at the time of Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane. The Lord miraculously reattached the ear and chided Peter for acting in such an impulsive and violent manner.

Manaen
Comforter
Strong's #G3127

A man named Manaen was one of the early teachers and prophets in the Syrian Antioch church. He was an early Christian leader along with Barnabas, Lucius, Niger and Saul (Paul).

Manasseh
Causing to forget
Strong's #H4519

Manasseh was the name of one of Joseph's son born in Egypt.

Another Manasseh, a king of Judah, was the longest reigning monarch of either the Kingdom of Judah or Israel at 55 years. He is consider one of Israel's worst kings as he encouraged the worship of many false deities. He also indulged in witchcraft, worked with evil spirits, and even sacrificed his own son by fire to the pagan god Molech (2Kings 21).

Manasseh was so bloody that the Bible states, "(he) shed very much innocent blood until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another" (2Kings 21:16, HBFV).

Manoah
Rest
Strong's #H4495

Manoah was the father of Samson.

Marah
Bitter
Strong's #H4785

Marah, in the wilderness of Shur, was where the Israelites found some water but it was too bitter to drink. It took a miracle from God to make the water drinkable.

Mareshah
Crest of the hill, summit
Strong's #H4762

Mareshah is the name of one of Caleb's sons. Another man named Mareshah is the great-grandson of Judah, the founder of one of Israel's tribes.

Mareshah is also the name of a city given to the tribe of Judah as an inheritance in the Promised Land.

Mark (John Mark, Marcus)
A defense
Strong's #G3138

Mark is called Marcus in the KJV version of Colossians 4:10, Philemon 1:24 and 1Peter 5:13. He is called John, whose surname was Mark, in Acts 12:12, 25 and 15:37.

John Mark, a Jewish convert to Christianity, was the cousin of Barnabas and writer of the Gospel named after him. His mother is recorded as maintaining a house church in Jerusalem. For more information, see our listing of Mark in our section of people connected to the Apostle Paul.

References
Acts 12:12, 25, 15:37 - 39, Colossians 4:10, Philemon 1:24, 1Peter 5:13, 2Timothy 4:11

Martha
She was rebellious, mistress
Strong's #G3136

Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary, lived in the small village of Bethany. She was involved in asking Jesus to visit Lazarus when he was deathly ill.