MADAI, the third Son of Japheth, Gen. x. 2. ‘Tis commonly thought that he was the Father of the Medes; but Media is too far distant from the other Countries peopled by Japheth and his Descendants; and besides, it cannot be comprehended under the Name of The Isles of the Gentiles, which according to Moses were the Division of the Sons of Japheth. These Reasons have so far prevailed with some learned Men1, as to make them to be of Opinion, that Madai was the Father of the Macedonians. Macedonia was otherwise called Æmathia, a Name formed from the Hebrew Ei an Island, and Madai; as if it were, the Isle of Madai2; or deriving it from the Greek Aia-madai, the Land of Madai. Near this Countrey are to be found a People called Mædi or Madi3; and in Macedonia a King called Medus.
The Name of Media given to the Countrey beyond the Euphrates, seems not to be more antient than Medea, or the Voyage of Jason to Colchis. See our Commentary upon Gen. x. 2. Also see MEDES.
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