English · KJV
H4350

מְכוֹנָה

mᵉkôwnâh /mek-o-naw'/ Ask about this word
Rootor מְכֹנָה · feminine of מָכוֹן
Meaninga pedestal, also a spot
KJV usagebase.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mᵉkôwnâh — 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 mᵉkôwnâh, represented by H4350, refers to a base or pedestal. It appears 23 times across 18 unique verses, with its usage concentrated on describing specific foundational structures within the biblical narrative. The term primarily signifies a prepared spot or pedestal designed to support a significant object.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H4350 is used almost exclusively to describe the ten ornate brass bases King Solomon constructed for the Temple 1 Kings 7:27. Each base was designed to hold a laver, or washbowl, and was intricately made with wheels and borders (1 Kings 7:30, 1 Kings 7:38). These bases are listed among the valuable Temple furnishings that were broken apart and carried to Babylon by the Chaldeans, signifying the temple's destruction (2 Kings 25:13, Jeremiah 52:17). In a pivotal moment of renewal, the returning exiles "set the altar upon his bases" Ezra 3:3, re-establishing formal worship in Jerusalem.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the function of the base:

  • H3595 kîyôwr (hearth, laver, pan, scaffold): This describes the laver that was placed upon each base in Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 7:38, 2 Chronicles 4:14). These lavers were used for washing items for the burnt offering 2 Chronicles 4:6.
  • H4196 mizbêach (an altar; altar): This object is directly associated with the bases upon the return from exile, when the people set the altar upon them to resume offering sacrifices Ezra 3:3. The altar is a central place of worship and atonement Leviticus 17:11.
  • H5982 ʻammûwd (a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform; [idiom] apiece, pillar): The pillars of the Temple are frequently mentioned alongside the bases as items plundered by the Chaldeans (2 Kings 25:13, Jeremiah 27:19), highlighting their structural and symbolic importance.

Theological Significance

The significance of H4350 is tied directly to the sanctity and function of the Temple.

  • Foundation for Sacred Ritual: The bases served the practical and symbolic purpose of elevating and supporting the lavers used for ritual cleansing 1 Kings 7:38 and later supporting the main altar itself Ezra 3:3. They were the physical foundation for acts of worship.
  • Symbol of Temple Glory and Judgment: The detailed craftsmanship of the ten bases reflects the glory and divine order of Solomon's Temple 1 Kings 7:37. Their subsequent destruction and removal represent the desecration of the holy place and God's judgment upon the nation (2 Kings 16:17, 2 Kings 25:13).
  • Marker of Covenant Restoration: The re-establishment of the altar upon its bases by the returning exiles is a crucial act. It signifies the restoration of the covenant community and the resumption of sacrifices to the LORD in their proper place Ezra 3:3.

Summary

In summary, H4350 is a specific architectural term whose meaning is deeply embedded in the life of the Temple. Far from being a mere stand, the base is a key element in the story of Israel's worship, from the height of its glory under Solomon to its destruction in judgment and its hopeful restoration after the exile. It illustrates how a foundational object can reflect the spiritual state of the people and their relationship with God.

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 25 occurrences, inflected in 4 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.

  • מְּכֹנוֹת
  • מְּכוֹנָה
  • מְכוֹנֹתָי
  • מְכֻנָתָ

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.

H3595 כִּיּוֹר or כִּיֹּר; from the same as כּוּר; properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e. a chafing-dish forcoals or a H4196 מִזְבֵּחַ from זָבַח; an altar; altar. H5982 עַמּוּד or עַמֻּד; from עָמַד; a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform; [idiom] apiece, pillar.

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 18 verses across 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Kings (10 verses); never once in the other 34.

10
1 Kings
3
2 Kings
1
2 Chronicles
1
Ezra
3
Jeremiah

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.