from מָכַר; merchandise; abstractly, a selling; [idiom] ought, (that which cometh of) sale, that which...sold, ware.
Transliteration:mimkâr
Pronunciation:mim-kawr'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מִמְכָּר (mimkâr, `{{H4465}}`) is a noun derived from the verbal root מָכַר (makar, `{{H4376}}`), meaning "to sell." As a nominal formation, מִמְכָּר primarily denotes the *object* of a sale, thus "merchandise," "wares," or "that which is sold." It can also refer to the *act* of selling, or the "sale" itself, encompassing the transaction. The semantic range extends to include the "purchase price" or "what comes from a sale." This word is intrinsically linked to commercial and economic transactions, signifying transfer of ownership, value, and exchange.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
מִמְכָּר (mimkâr, `{{H4465}}`) appears predominantly in the Pentateuch, particularly in the book of Leviticus, and also in Nehemiah and Ezekiel.
* **Leviticus 25:25, 28, 29, 33, 50**: In these passages, מִמְכָּר is central to the laws concerning land and property redemption, as well as the sale of individuals into servitude.
* In [[Leviticus 25:25]], it refers to "some of his property" that a poor Israelite might sell. The context is the temporary nature of land sales and the right of redemption by a kinsman-redeemer.
* [[Leviticus 25:28]] speaks of the "property" reverting to the original owner in the Year of Jubilee, reinforcing the idea that land sales were not permanent alienations.
* [[Leviticus 25:29]] and [[Leviticus 25:33]] apply similar principles to the sale of dwelling houses, with specific rules for those in walled cities versus Levite cities.
* [[Leviticus 25:50]] uses מִמְכָּר in the context of an Israelite selling himself into servitude, referring to the "time from the year that he sold himself." Here, it denotes the act or period of being sold. These uses highlight the temporary nature of such transactions and the divine provision for restoration.
* **Nehemiah 13:20**: Here, מִמְכָּר is used in a more general sense to describe "all kinds of wares" that merchants brought to sell outside Jerusalem on the Sabbath. This context underscores Nehemiah's zeal for upholding the Sabbath law, prohibiting commercial activity on the holy day.
* **Ezekiel 7:12-13**: In these prophetic passages, מִמְכָּר appears in a context of impending judgment and societal collapse.
* [[Ezekiel 7:12]] states, "the buyer should not rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is on all their multitude." The term here signifies the act of "sale" or "that which is sold," illustrating the disruption of normal economic life.
* [[Ezekiel 7:13]] further emphasizes, "For the seller will not return to what was sold, nor will any of them retain their lives." This portrays a complete breakdown of order and security, where even property transactions become meaningless due to the overwhelming judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for מִמְכָּר (mimkâr, `{{H4465}}`) is its root verb, מָכַר (makar, `{{H4376}}`), "to sell." Other related terms and concepts include:
* **קָנָה** (qanah, `{{H7069}}`): "to buy, acquire," representing the complementary action in a transaction.
* **כֶּסֶף** (kesef, `{{H3701}}`): "silver, money," the common medium of exchange.
* **נַחֲלָה** (nachalah, `{{H5159}}`): "inheritance, possession," often the subject of sale, particularly in the context of land.
* **יֹבֵל** (yovel, `{{H3104}}`): "Jubilee," the divinely ordained year when land and property reverted to original owners, directly impacting the long-term implications of a מִמְכָּר.
* **גָּאַל** (ga'al, `{{H1350}}`): "to redeem, ransom," the action performed by a kinsman-redeemer to reclaim a מִמְכָּר.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of מִמְכָּר (mimkâr, `{{H4465}}`) reveal several profound theological insights:
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Land and Property**: The extensive laws in Leviticus concerning the sale and redemption of land (where מִמְכָּר is prominent) underscore the theological principle that the land of Israel ultimately belongs to God ([[Leviticus 25:23]]). Human ownership is presented as stewardship, a temporary lease rather than absolute possession. This prevented the permanent alienation of tribal inheritances and maintained the divinely established order.
2. **Social Justice and Compassion**: The regulations surrounding the sale of oneself into servitude and the provisions for redemption highlight God's concern for the poor and vulnerable within the covenant community. The Jubilee system, which effectively nullified long-term מִמְכָּר arrangements, served as a mechanism to prevent perpetual poverty and to restore economic balance, reflecting God's justice and mercy.
3. **Sanctity of the Sabbath**: Nehemiah's actions concerning merchants and their מִמְכָּר on the Sabbath illustrate the importance of honoring God's command for rest and worship. Economic activity, even the selling of essential "wares," was to cease, demonstrating a prioritization of divine law over commercial gain.
4. **Consequences of Disobedience and Divine Judgment**: In Ezekiel's prophecy, the disruption of normal economic life, including the meaninglessness of מִמְכָּר, serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment. The inability to benefit from sales or to reclaim what was sold signifies a complete breakdown of societal order and security, a direct consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מִמְכָּר (mimkâr, `{{H4465}}`) denotes "merchandise," "that which is sold," or the act of "selling" itself. Its usage in the biblical text is primarily associated with commercial transactions and property laws. In the Mosaic Law, particularly the Jubilee legislation, מִמְכָּר underscores the theological truth of God's ultimate ownership of the land, the temporary nature of human possessions, and the divine mandate for social justice and the protection of the vulnerable. In Nehemiah, it highlights the sanctity of the Sabbath and the prohibition of commerce on God's holy day. Finally, in Ezekiel, the word symbolizes the chaos and desolation brought about by divine judgment, where even the most fundamental economic activities become futile. Thus, מִמְכָּר serves as a significant term for understanding the intersection of economic life, divine law, and theological principles in ancient Israel.
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