ma.on denotes a dwelling or settled place, especially a holy dwelling, but also homes and animal-filled ruins.

The attested use most often identifies a holy dwelling associated with the LORD, whether described as in heaven, as the place of divine glory, or as a refuge. It also names a home or place of access and describes places occupied by animals amid devastation.

1. Holy dwelling associated with the LORD · dominant

   In Deuteronomy 26:15 the construct form occurs in the appeal for the LORD to look down from his holy habitation in the heavens and bless Israel. In 2 Chronicles 30:27, prayer comes to his holy habitation in heaven; Psalm 26:8 associates it with the LORD's house and the place where his glory dwells. Psalm 90:1 uses the absolute form in addressing the Lord as the people's habitation through successive generations.

   Deuteronomy 26:152 Chronicles 30:27Jeremiah 25:30Psalm 26:8Psalm 90:1Psalm 91:9
2. Home or accessible place of security · occasional

   Psalm 68:6 places the term in the clause about God settling the solitary in a home. In Psalm 71:3, the singular absolute form occurs in the request that God be a rock of habitation to which the speaker may continually come.

   Psalm 68:6Psalm 71:3
3. Place occupied by animals in desolation · common

   Jeremiah 10:22 and Jeremiah 49:33 place the construct form in announcements that Judah's cities and Hazor will become a habitation of jackals. Nahum 2:12 uses the plural English rendering “habitations” for places the lion fills with torn animals, while Jeremiah 51:37 describes Babylon as a jackals' haunt without inhabitant.

   Jeremiah 10:22Jeremiah 49:33Jeremiah 51:37Nahum 2:12

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “habitation” in the holy-dwelling and desolation clauses, while also using “dwelling place,” “home,” and “haunt.” These are presentations of the clauses rather than fixed translations of the term.