from פָּקַד; an appointment, i.e. mandate; concretely, a designated spot; specifically, a census; appointed place, commandment, number.
Transliteration:miphqâd
Pronunciation:mif-kawd'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun miphqâd (`{{H4662}}`) originates from the verbal root pāqad (`{{H6485}}`), a multifaceted verb signifying "to visit," "to attend to," "to appoint," "to muster," "to number," "to command," and "to hold an account." Consequently, miphqâd fundamentally denotes something that is the *result* or *object* of such an action—that which has been appointed, numbered, or designated.
Its semantic range encompasses:
* **Appointment/Mandate/Commandment:** Referring to an authoritative instruction, decree, or task established by a higher power, often divine. This emphasizes the aspect of determined purpose or authoritative order.
* **Designated Spot/Appointed Place:** Indicating a specific location that has been set aside or determined for a particular function, gathering, or ritual. This highlights intentionality and order in spatial arrangements.
* **Census/Numbering:** Specifically denoting the act of counting or registering individuals, typically for administrative, military, or theological purposes. This emphasizes meticulous accounting and organization of people.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of miphqâd (`{{H4662}}`) in the Hebrew Bible are limited, yet each instance provides significant insight into its usage and theological implications.
* **As a "Census" or "Numbering":**
* In [[2 Samuel 24:9]], miphqâd is used to describe the "numbering" of the people of Israel and Judah carried out by Joab at King David's behest. This census, while ostensibly an administrative act, incurred divine displeasure, leading to a plague. The context here underscores the gravity of such an "enumeration," particularly when undertaken with improper motives or a lack of trust in God.
* A parallel account is found in [[1 Chronicles 21:5]], where miphqâd again refers to the same "numbering" of Israel and Judah, reinforcing the concept of a population count.
* **As an "Appointed Place" or "Designated Spot":**
* [[Ezekiel 43:21]] employs miphqâd within the detailed instructions for the purification of the altar in Ezekiel's visionary temple. Here, it refers to a "designated place" outside the sanctuary where the bull of the sin offering is to be burned. This usage highlights the term's application to a specific, ritually appointed location, emphasizing order, separation, and sacred space in cultic practice.
* **As a "Commandment" or "Mandate":**
* [[Isaiah 8:1]] presents a more abstract application, where miphqâd can be understood as a "mandate" or "commandment" given to the prophet Isaiah to record a specific prophecy. This usage underscores the authoritative nature of divine instruction and the prophet's role in conveying it.
These diverse contexts reveal miphqâd as a term that reflects divine and human ordering, administration, and the meticulousness inherent in the execution of commands, whether for counting, designating space, or conveying prophetic messages.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Pāqad (`{{H6485}}`):** As the verbal root, pāqad is foundational to understanding miphqâd. Pāqad denotes the active "visiting," "inspecting," "appointing," or "numbering." Miphqâd is the concrete result or object of this action—the appointment itself, the number taken, or the place designated. The noun captures the outcome of the verb's active engagement.
* **Pekudah (`{{H6490}}`):** This related noun, also from pāqad, often signifies "visitation," "punishment," "oversight," or "muster." While miphqâd tends to emphasize the *result* (the number, the place, the command), pekudah often focuses on the *act* of visitation or the *consequence* of oversight, whether for blessing or judgment.
* **Census and Numbering (e.g., Book of Numbers):** The overarching theme of the Book of Numbers (Hebrew: *Bemidbar*, "In the Wilderness") revolves around the numbering and ordering of the Israelite tribes. While other terms like mispar (`{{H4557}}`, "number") and sepher (`{{H5612}}`, "scroll/register") are more common for the general census, the concept of divine ordering and accounting of the people is central to both the book and the essence of miphqâd.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of miphqâd (`{{H4662}}`) is deeply rooted in the attributes of God and His relationship with creation.
* **Divine Order and Sovereignty:** The concept of an "appointed place" or "mandate" speaks powerfully to God's deliberate ordering of the cosmos and human history. It implies that nothing is random; rather, there is a divine purpose, a pre-determined plan for specific locations, times, and commands. This reflects God's meticulous providence and His active, sovereign involvement in all affairs.
* **Accountability and Stewardship:** When miphqâd refers to a "census" or "numbering," it highlights the principle of accountability. God knows His people intimately, and His "numbering" implies both His pastoral care and His sovereign right to assess His creation. The census of David, though a human act, serves as a cautionary tale: even seemingly administrative actions can become sinful if they betray a lack of trust in God or an overreliance on human strength and numbers. It underscores that even divinely sanctioned "appointments" or "numberings" must be undertaken with humility and proper motivation.
* **Holiness and Consecration:** The use of miphqâd for a "designated spot" in the context of temple rituals ([[Ezekiel 43:21]]) points to the profound importance of holiness and separation. God's presence demands specific, appointed places for worship, sacrifice, and purification, emphasizing the sacred-profane distinction and the necessity of proper ritual observance as commanded by God.
* **The Authority of the Divine Word:** The sense of "mandate" or "commandment" inherent in miphqâd underscores the absolute authority of God's word. When God "appoints" or "commands," His pronouncements carry ultimate divine weight, demanding reverence, obedience, and faithful execution from His creation.
In essence, miphqâd points to God as the ultimate Appointer, the One who orders, numbers, and commands, demonstrating His meticulous nature and demanding both careful obedience and humble submission from His people.
### Summary
The Hebrew word miphqâd (`{{H4662}}`), derived from the active verb pāqad (`{{H6485}}`), denotes the outcome of an authoritative appointment, visitation, or numbering. Its semantic range encompasses an "appointment" or "mandate," a "designated spot" or "appointed place," and specifically, a "census" or "numbering." Biblical occurrences illustrate these meanings, from the census of Israel in [[2 Samuel 24:9]] and [[1 Chronicles 21:5]], to a specific ritual "place" in [[Ezekiel 43:21]], and potentially a prophetic "mandate" in [[Isaiah 8:1]]. Theologically, miphqâd profoundly illuminates God's meticulous order and sovereignty, His providential oversight, the principle of accountability, the sanctity of designated spaces, and the absolute authority of His divine commands. It serves as a powerful reminder of God as the ultimate Appointer, who orchestrates all things with purpose, precision, and a demand for faithful response.
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