The Hebrew word Mᵉkônâh, represented by H4368, is the name of a place in Palestine. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, indicating its specific use as a geographical location in the biblical record. Its meaning is tied directly to its identity as a town.
The sole appearance of H4368 is in a geographical list detailing the resettlement of Judah after the exile. It is cited as one of the towns where people lived, mentioned alongside Ziklag: "And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof" Nehemiah 11:28. This context positions Mekonah as a specific settlement inhabited during the post-exilic period.
Several related words help clarify the context of its single appearance:
- H6860 Tsiqlag (Ziklag): Defined as Tsiklag or Tsikelag, a place in Palestine. It is mentioned directly alongside Mekonah Nehemiah 11:28. Ziklag was a significant town in the history of Judah, known as a place David inhabited 1 Samuel 27:6 and that was later burned by invaders 1 Samuel 30:1.
- H1323 bath (villages): This word means daughter, but is used figuratively to refer to a town or village. In its context with Mekonah, it refers to the surrounding settlements ("in the villages thereof"). This demonstrates the word's wider application, which can also refer to a people, as in "daughter of Zion" Zechariah 9:9.
The significance of H4368 is primarily historical and geographical, rather than theological.
- A Place of Resettlement: The inclusion of H4368 in the list in Nehemiah 11 signifies its role as a location for the returning exiles. It represents the re-establishment of community and the repopulation of the land of Judah.
- Geographical Marker: Mekonah serves as a specific geographical point, grounded in a historical record of towns. Its mention alongside the well-known city of Ziklag H6860 helps to situate it within the territory of Judah.
- Community Structure: The phrase "and in the villages thereof" Nehemiah 11:28 suggests that Mekonah was likely a central town with smaller, dependent settlements, illustrating the structure of community life during that period.
In summary, Mᵉkônâh H4368 is a specific place name appearing once in scripture. Its significance is not derived from major events, but from its inclusion in the list of towns resettled by the people of Judah Nehemiah 11:28. Mentioned with Ziklag and its dependent "villages," it represents the rebuilding of the nation on a local, community level, marking it as a tangible location in the historical geography of Israel.
TRV