### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מְכֹנָה (Mᵉkônâh), Strong's H4368, is presented in its base definition as "the same as מְכוֹנָה" (`{{H4349}}`), which primarily denotes "a base, stand, place, or station." Thus, the underlying semantic range points to something that provides support, a foundation, or a fixed position. However, it is crucial to note that H4368 itself is almost exclusively used as a proper noun in the biblical text: "Mekonah," referring to a specific geographical location in Palestine. Therefore, while its etymological root connects it to the concept of a "base," its direct biblical application is as a toponym.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word מְכֹנָה (Mᵉkônâh), H4368, appears only once in the Masoretic Text, functioning as a proper noun:
* [[Nehemiah 11:28]]: "and in Ziklag, and in Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,"
In this sole occurrence, Mekonah is listed among the towns and villages re-inhabited by the descendants of Judah after the return from Babylonian exile. The context is a detailed enumeration of settlements, illustrating the re-establishment of the Israelite community in their ancestral land. The mention of Mekonah here is purely geographical, serving to identify a specific location where the returnees settled. It does not carry any symbolic or metaphorical meaning within this context but rather contributes to the historical and administrative record of the post-exilic period.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relationship for H4368 is with `{{H4349}}` (מְכוֹנָה), which is the common noun meaning "base" or "stand." This related term appears frequently, especially in descriptions of the Temple furniture, such as the bases for the lavers ([[1 Kings 7:27]], [[1 Kings 7:28]], [[1 Kings 7:30]], etc.). Both H4368 and H4349 derive from the root כּוּן (kûn), `{{H3559}}`, meaning "to be firm, established, prepared, or set up." This root is foundational to concepts of stability, permanence, and divine ordering. While H4368 itself is a place name, its etymological link to "firmness" or "establishment" subtly connects it to the broader theme of the re-establishment of Judah in the land. Concepts related to H4368's usage include:
* **Settlement and Re-population:** The act of returning and inhabiting the land after exile.
* **Geographical Delineation:** The precise naming of places to define boundaries and areas of habitation.
* **Post-Exilic Restoration:** The broader historical and theological theme of God's faithfulness in restoring His people to their homeland.
### Theological Significance
Given its singular occurrence as a proper noun in a geographical list, מְכֹנָה (Mᵉkônâh), H4368, carries very little direct theological weight. It is not a word used to convey divine attributes, human virtues, or theological doctrines. Its significance is primarily historical and geographical, serving as a data point in the narrative of the post-exilic return.
However, its inclusion, even as a seemingly minor detail, contributes to the larger theological narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. The meticulous listing of towns like Mekonah in [[Nehemiah 11]] underscores the concrete reality of the return from exile and the re-establishment of the community in the land of Judah. This re-settlement was a fulfillment of prophetic words and a tangible demonstration of God's enduring commitment to His people, bringing them back from dispersion and establishing them once more in the land He had promised. Thus, while Mekonah itself is not a locus of theological reflection, its presence testifies to the divine work of restoration and the meticulous care with which the biblical authors recorded this pivotal period in Israel's history. The subtle etymological connection to "firmness" or "establishment" (from the root `{{H3559}}`) might, by extension, hint at the divine purpose in making the returned community firm and established in their land.
### Summary
מְכֹנָה (Mᵉkônâh), H4368, is a Hebrew proper noun primarily identifying a specific town in Judah. While etymologically linked to the common noun for "base" or "stand" (`{{H4349}}`) and the root meaning "to be firm" (`{{H3559}}`), its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Nehemiah 11:28]]. Here, it functions as a geographical marker within a list of settlements re-inhabited by the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian captivity. Consequently, H4368 does not possess direct theological significance in itself. Rather, its inclusion serves to underscore the historical reality and meticulous record-keeping of the post-exilic re-settlement, contributing to the broader narrative of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises by restoring and establishing His people in their land.
TRV