English · KJV
H4227

מַחֲבַת

machăbath /makh-ab-ath'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom the same as חָבֵת
Meaninga pan for baking in
KJV usagepan.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of machăbath — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word machăbath, represented by H4227, refers to a pan, specifically one used for baking. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. The word's base definition connects it to the act of baking, and its use in scripture is primarily focused on either sacrificial offerings or symbolic prophetic acts.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H4227 is found almost exclusively within the Levitical laws for offerings. It is described as a vessel for preparing a specific type of meat offering (H4503), which was to be made of fine flour (H5560) and oil (H8081) (Leviticus 2:5, Leviticus 6:21). These offerings, once cooked in the pan, were presented to the Lord. In a different context, the prophet Ezekiel uses an iron pan as a symbolic wall during a prophetic sign against the house of Israel Ezekiel 4:3, illustrating its use as both a literal and metaphorical object.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context of the cooking and offering process:

  • H4802 marchesheth (fryingpan): This term for a stewpan or fryingpan is used alongside machăbath to specify different methods of preparing offerings, indicating the precise nature of the instructions given to the priests Leviticus 7:9.
  • H8574 tannûwr (oven): This word for a furnace or oven is another cooking implement mentioned in the same context as the pan and fryingpan. It highlights that the method of preparation (baking, frying, etc.) was a significant detail in the sacrificial rite Leviticus 7:9.
  • H4503 minchâh (meat offering): This is the sacrificial offering itself, typically a bloodless gift of grain. The pan was one of the approved vessels for preparing this offering before it was presented to God Leviticus 2:5.

Theological Significance

The functional significance of H4227 is centered on its role in worship and prophecy.

  • Vessel for Sacred Offerings: The pan was an implement designated for preparing a particular kind of grain offering. Its mention in Leviticus underscores the detailed and specific nature of the laws governing worship and the proper handling of sacred items Leviticus 6:21.
  • Distinction in Preparation: The law distinguishes between offerings made in an oven (H8574), a fryingpan (H4802), and a pan (H4227), with each yielding an offering that belonged to the officiating priest Leviticus 7:9. This points to an ordered system with clear procedural guidelines.
  • Instrument of Prophetic Symbolism: In Ezekiel's ministry, an iron pan is transformed from a common cooking tool into a symbol of divine judgment. It represents the "wall of iron" set between God and Jerusalem, signifying an unbreakable siege and separation Ezekiel 4:3.

Summary

In summary, H4227 machăbath is a precise term for a baking pan that carries both ritual and symbolic weight. While primarily a utilitarian object for preparing Levitical grain offerings, it also serves as a stark prophetic image of separation and judgment. This demonstrates how even a simple household item could be integrated into Israel's system of worship and used to communicate a divine message.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 6 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מַּחֲבַת
  • מַחֲבַת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4503 מִנְחָה from an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial H5560 סֹלֶת from an unused root meaning to strip; flour (as chipped off); (fine) flour, meal. H8081 שֶׁמֶן from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] f H4802 מַרְחֶשֶׁת from רָחַשׁ; a stewpan; fryingpan. H8574 תַּנּוּר from נִיר; a fire-pot; furnace, oven.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Leviticus (3 verses); never once in the other 36.

3
Leviticus
1
1 Chronicles
1
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.