ma.on is chiefly a named wilderness and settlement area, and also names a person and an oppressing party in Scripture.

The proper name is used most often for a location: a wilderness where David and Saul move, a place associated with a man’s work in Carmel, and a name in a settlement list. It also identifies a man called the father of Beth-zur and appears as the acting name among those who oppressed Israel.

1. Named location and wilderness area · dominant

   In 1 Samuel 23:24 and 1 Samuel 23:25, the proper noun marks the wilderness where David stays and where Saul pursues him. In 1 Samuel 25:2 the APB renders a man as being “in Maon,” while Joshua 15:55 places it in a list with Carmel, Ziph, and Juttah.

   1 Samuel 23:241 Samuel 23:251 Samuel 25:2Joshua 15:55
2. Personal name in a lineage · occasional

   In 1 Chronicles 2:45, the proper noun occurs twice in the clause that names Shammai’s son and then identifies that same named person as the father of Beth-zur. The APB renders both occurrences as “Maon.”

   1 Chronicles 2:45
3. Named oppressor in a list · rare

   In Judges 10:12, the proper noun stands with the Sidonians and Amalek in the clause describing those who oppressed Israel. The APB renders the name as “Maon,” but the translation does not further identify the referent.

   Judges 10:12

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term directly as “Maon”: as a wilderness location in 1 Samuel 23:24 and 1 Samuel 23:25, a place where a man lived in 1 Samuel 25:2, a name in Joshua 15:55, a person in 1 Chronicles 2:45, and an oppressor in Judges 10:12. These renderings are read alongside the proper-noun morphology and clause contexts.