English · KJV
H4371

מֶכֶס

mekeç /meh'-kes/ Ask about this word
Rootprobably from an unused root meaning to enumerate
Meaningan assessment (as based upon a census)
KJV usagetribute.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mekeç — 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 mekeç, represented by H4371, denotes an assessment or tribute. Based on what is probably an unused root meaning to enumerate, it appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage is highly specific, referring to a portion set aside from a census of spoils as a special levy for the Lord.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

All occurrences of H4371 are found in Numbers 31, detailing the spoils of war. After a battle, a command is given to "levy a tribute unto the LORD" from the men of war Numbers 31:28. This assessment was precisely calculated as one soul out of five hundred from the persons, beeves, asses, and sheep. The subsequent verses meticulously record the exact count of the LORD's tribute from the sheep Numbers 31:37, the beeves Numbers 31:38, the asses Numbers 31:39, and the persons Numbers 31:40.

Related Words & Concepts

Two related words are crucial for understanding the context and function of this tribute:

  • H7311 rûwm: This root, meaning to raise or lift up, is used for the verb "levy" in the command to set apart the tribute Numbers 31:28. This action signifies the setting apart or "lifting out" of a special portion.
  • H8641 tᵉrûwmâh: Defined as a present or heave offering, this term is used to clarify the nature of the tribute. The text states that Moses gave the tribute H4371 to the priest as "the LORD'S heave offering" Numbers 31:41, directly connecting the assessed tax to an act of sacred worship.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4371 is significant within its narrative context:

  • The LORD's Portion: The repetition of the phrase "the LORD'S tribute" (Numbers 31:37, 38, 39, 40) establishes the principle that God has a rightful, designated share in the spoils of victory.
  • Tribute as Worship: The tribute is explicitly identified as a heave offering H8641, which elevates it from a mere administrative tax to a sacred offering. It was given to Eleazar the priest as something holy, set apart for the LORD Numbers 31:41.
  • Divine Command: The levying of the tribute was not a human suggestion but a direct commandment from the LORD to Moses Numbers 31:41, underscoring its importance and binding nature as a divine ordinance.

Summary

In summary, H4371 is a very specific term for a divinely mandated tribute or assessment taken from the spoils of war. Its sole appearance in scripture, within Numbers 31, illustrates how a calculated portion of material gain is to be set apart for God. The word demonstrates a seamless link between a census-based levy and a sacred heave offering, acknowledging the LORD's sovereignty and role in the victory.

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.

  • מִכְסָ
  • מֶכֶס

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.

H7311 רוּם a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively); bring up, H8641 תְּרוּמָה or תְּרֻמָה; (Deuteronomy 12:11), from רוּם; a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute; gift, hea

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

6 verses, all in Numbers — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.