### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mᵉdôkâh**, represented by `{{H4085}}`, refers to a **mortar**. It is derived from the root word for "beat," `{{H1743}}`. This term is highly specific, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire biblical text, highlighting its role as a specific tool for food preparation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H4085}}` is found in [[Numbers 11:8]], which describes how the Israelites prepared the manna provided to them in the wilderness. The verse states that the people would gather the manna and then either grind it in mills or "beat it in a **mortar**". This action transformed the divinely provided substance into something that could be baked into cakes, demonstrating the practical, everyday use of this tool.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the function and context of the mortar:
* `{{H1743}}` **dûwk**: This is the primitive root from which **mᵉdôkâh** is derived. It means "to bruise in a mortar; beat." Its use in [[Numbers 11:8]] describes the very action performed with the mortar.
* `{{H2912}}` **ṭâchan**: Meaning "to grind meal," this word is presented as the alternative action to beating in a mortar [[Numbers 11:8]]. Grinding could also be a task of servitude [[Judges 16:21]].
* `{{H7347}}` **rêcheh**: This word for a "mill-stone" or mill is the tool used for the parallel action of grinding. It appears alongside `{{H4085}}` in [[Numbers 11:8]], identifying the two primary methods the Israelites used to process the manna.
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H4085}}` is grounded in its practical application within the life of Israel.
* **Domestic Technology:** The mortar was a key piece of household equipment for processing grain and other foodstuffs into a usable form, functioning as a fundamental tool for daily sustenance.
* **Human Preparation of Divine Provision:** Its use in [[Numbers 11:8]] illustrates the intersection of God's miraculous provision (manna) and the human effort required to prepare it for consumption.
* **Paired Methods:** The mention of the mortar alongside the mill `{{H7347}}` provides a clear picture of the common food preparation techniques available to the people during the Exodus.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4085}}` **mᵉdôkâh** is a precise term for a **mortar**. Its sole biblical reference in [[Numbers 11:8]] places it directly in the context of the Israelites' daily life in the wilderness, where it was used to beat the manna God had provided. While rare, the word offers a specific detail about the labor and tools involved in turning raw provision into finished food.
TRV