MAON mā’ ŏn (מָעֹ֖ון, dwelling). 1. A son of Shammai who himself was a descendant of Caleb. He is called the father of Bethzur (1 Chron 2:45), meaning either that he was the ancestor of the people of Bethzur or the founder of that city. It is also possible that the name Maon in this passage is a collective for the people of Maon, and that they were the ones who founded the city of Bethzur.

2. A town in the hill-country of Judah (Josh 15:55), located nine m. S of Hebron. It has been identified as the modern Tell Ma’in, and is situated on a hilltop. Hiding from Saul, David and his men took refuge in the wilderness of Maon (1 Sam 23:24ff.). Maon was the residence of Nabal whose widow Abigail became the wife of David (25:2).

3. A group of people, hostile to Israel, the Maonites, are mentioned in Judges 10:12. Their connection with Maon, if any, is not clear. Perhaps these people are to be identified with the Meunim or Meunites mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:41 and 2 Chronicles 20:1; 26:7. However, this identification is by no means established either.