The Hebrew word kinʻâh, represented by H3666, is derived from a root meaning to fold and refers to a package; wares. It is a very rare term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its single usage particularly significant.
The sole appearance of H3666 is in the context of a divine warning. In a prophecy of coming judgment, the people are commanded, "Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress" Jeremiah 10:17. This command paints a picture of urgent and forced departure, where the settled inhabitants must quickly pack their belongings in preparation for being removed from their home. The word signifies the portable possessions that one would try to save in a time of crisis and exile.
The words used alongside H3666 in its only biblical verse provide critical context:
- H622 ʼâçaph: Defined as to gather for any purpose, this word carries a wide range of meanings. It can signify a protective gathering, as when the glory of the LORD acts as a "rereward" Isaiah 58:8, or a gathering in death, as when Abraham was "gathered to his people" Genesis 25:8. In Jeremiah 10:17, it points to a collection made under duress.
- H3427 yâshab: This word primarily means to sit down, dwell, or remain. It often conveys a sense of security and stability, such as to "dwell" in the house of the LORD Psalms 27:4, for brethren to "dwell" together in unity Psalms 133:1, or to "sit" at God's right hand Psalms 110:1. Its use in Jeremiah 10:17 for "inhabitant" highlights a stark reversal of this security.
The theological weight of H3666 is derived entirely from its context within Jeremiah's prophecy of judgment.
- The Tangibility of Judgment: The command to gather one's wares makes the abstract concept of divine judgment a concrete, physical event. It is not merely a spiritual state but an impending action that will result in the loss of home and land Jeremiah 10:17.
- The Reversal of Dwelling: The target of the command is the "inhabitant" H3427, a term often associated with the blessing of a secure and settled life. The instruction to pack up and leave signifies the withdrawal of this blessing and the uprooting of those who had been established in the land.
- A Gathering for Exile: The associated verb "to gather" H622 is used elsewhere for God gathering His saints Psalms 50:5 and for gathering nations for battle Zechariah 14:2. Here, it is an act of compulsion, forcing the people to collect their material goods ahead of their displacement.
In summary, H3666 is far more than a simple word for "wares." Though it appears only once, its placement in Jeremiah 10:17 gives it a powerful role. It serves as a vivid symbol of the tangible consequences of judgment, marking the moment when the security of the "inhabitant" H3427 is broken, and they are forced to "gather" H622 their possessions for a life of exile. It illustrates how a single, rare word can powerfully capture a moment of profound theological crisis.
TRV