from an unused root meaning to buy; price, payment, wages; gain, hire, price, sold, worth.
Transliteration:mᵉchîyr
Pronunciation:mekk-eer'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מְחִיר (mᵉchîyr, `{{H4242}}`) derives from an unused root, which Strong's defines as conveying the sense "to buy." This etymological root immediately establishes the word's primary connection to commercial transactions and economic valuation. At its core, *mᵉchîyr* signifies "price," "payment," or "wages"—the monetary or equivalent value assigned to goods, services, or even individuals in an exchange.
The semantic range of *mᵉchîyr* extends beyond mere monetary cost to encompass related concepts such as "gain" (profit derived from a transaction), "hire" (compensation for labor or service, akin to wages), "sold" (the state of being exchanged for a price), and "worth" (the inherent or estimated value of something, often expressed as a price). Thus, *mᵉchîyr* functions as a comprehensive term for the value, cost, or compensation involved in a wide array of economic and social exchanges within the biblical world.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *mᵉchîyr* appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, illustrating its diverse applications:
* **Compensation for Injury/Value of Life:** In [[Exodus 21:21]], *mᵉchîyr* refers to the "price" of a slave. If a slave survives an injury inflicted by their master for a day or two, the master is not punished, "for he is his money" (literally, "his price"). This highlights the legal and economic valuation of human life, even within the context of servitude.
* **Commercial Transactions:** The word frequently denotes the price of goods or property. For instance, [[Leviticus 25:16]] speaks of selling land "according to the number of years of crops" remaining until the Jubilee, indicating that the *mᵉchîyr* (price) was calculated based on productivity. Similarly, [[1 Kings 10:28]] and [[2 Chronicles 1:16]] mention the "price" at which Solomon's merchants acquired horses from Egypt and Kue, underscoring its use in international trade.
* **Prohibited Earnings:** A significant theological usage is found in [[Deuteronomy 23:18]], which prohibits bringing "the hire of a harlot" (מְחִיר זוֹנָה) or "the price of a dog" into the house of the Lord as a vow offering, for both are an "abomination." This passage underscores the sanctity of the temple and the rejection of earnings acquired through morally illicit means, emphasizing the purity required in worship.
* **Metaphorical Value:** In [[Proverbs 17:16]], *mᵉchîyr* is used metaphorically: "Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no understanding?" Here, *mᵉchîyr* represents the means to acquire something valuable, but the verse critiques the fool's inability to comprehend or utilize wisdom, suggesting that true understanding cannot simply be bought.
* **Divine Actions and Justice:** A crucial theological context appears in [[Isaiah 45:13]], where God declares concerning Cyrus, "He shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward, says the Lord of hosts." This powerful statement asserts God's sovereign and gratuitous action in redemption, contrasting it sharply with human transactional thinking. God's salvation is not earned or bought. Conversely, in [[Micah 3:11]], the word is used negatively, condemning leaders who "give judgment for a bribe," priests who "teach for a price" (בִּמְחִיר), and prophets who "practice divination for money," exposing corruption in religious and civil leadership.
### Related Words & Concepts
*Mᵉchîyr* (`{{H4242}}`) exists within a semantic field of words related to commerce, value, and compensation in biblical Hebrew:
* **`{{H4376}}` (meker):** This noun also means "sale" or "price," often appearing in contexts of buying and selling. It is closely related to *mᵉchîyr* in its economic implications.
* **`{{H4377}}` (mimkar):** Referring to "merchandise" or "something sold," this word highlights the object of a transaction for which a *mᵉchîyr* would be paid.
* **`{{H3701}}` (kesef):** Meaning "silver" or "money," *kesef* represents the common medium of exchange by which a *mᵉchîyr* was typically paid or received.
* **`{{H7939}}` (śāḵār):** This term denotes "wages," "reward," or "hire," often specifically for labor or service, overlapping with the "wages" aspect of *mᵉchîyr*.
* **`{{H6299}}` (pāḏâ) and `{{H3724}}` (kōp̄er):** These words relate to "redemption" and "ransom" respectively. The concept of a "price" is central to redemption, where a payment or substitute is made to secure freedom, as seen in the broader theological implications of *mᵉchîyr* in passages like [[Isaiah 45:13]].
* **`{{H5071}}` (nēzek):** Signifying "damage" or "injury," this word often implies the need for compensation or a "price" to be paid for restitution.
These related terms collectively paint a picture of the ancient Israelite economy, legal system, and moral framework concerning value, exchange, and compensation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *mᵉchîyr* is multifaceted, touching upon themes of divine justice, human responsibility, and the nature of God's redemptive work:
* **Divine Grace vs. Human Transaction:** The declaration in [[Isaiah 45:13]] that God acts "not for price or reward" is profoundly significant. It contrasts God's sovereign, unmerited grace with human transactional thinking, where every benefit is expected to be earned or bought. Salvation and liberation from exile are presented as gifts of God's gratuitous will, not commodities to be acquired. This principle undergirds the New Testament concept of grace (e.g., `{{G5485}}` charis).
* **Sanctity and Purity in Worship:** The prohibition in [[Deuteronomy 23:18]] regarding the "hire of a harlot" and "price of a dog" underscores the strict moral and ritual purity required in the worship of Yahweh. It teaches that the means by which wealth is acquired matters to God, and defiled earnings cannot be offered in His holy presence. This emphasizes the integrity of one's life as it relates to one's worship.
* **Justice and Corruption:** The condemnations in [[Micah 3:11]] highlight the perversion of justice when leaders, priests, and prophets operate for "price" rather than righteousness. This reveals God's abhorrence of bribery, exploitation, and the commodification of spiritual or judicial authority. It calls for integrity and impartiality in all dealings.
* **Value of Life and Wisdom:** While *mᵉchîyr* can denote the economic value of a slave ([[Exodus 21:21]]), it implicitly raises questions about human dignity and the intrinsic worth of life beyond mere monetary terms. The metaphorical use in [[Proverbs 17:16]] further elevates spiritual realities, demonstrating that true wisdom and understanding are of such profound value that they cannot be simply purchased by those lacking the capacity to appreciate them.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מְחִיר (mᵉchîyr, `{{H4242}}`) is a versatile term primarily denoting "price," "payment," or "wages," stemming from a root meaning "to buy." Its semantic range extends to encompass "gain," "hire," "sold," and "worth," reflecting its broad application in economic and transactional contexts throughout the Old Testament. Biblical occurrences illustrate its use in commercial dealings, legal compensation for injury, and the valuation of property and services. Theologically, *mᵉchîyr* offers profound insights. It powerfully contrasts God's unmerited grace in redemption—acting "not for price or reward"—with human transactional expectations. Furthermore, it highlights the divine demand for purity in worship by prohibiting defiled earnings, and it serves as a critical lens through which the prophets condemn the corruption of justice and religious authority for personal gain. Ultimately, *mᵉchîyr* functions as a key concept for understanding the Old Testament's perspective on value, exchange, and the moral and spiritual implications of human and divine economies.
TRV