or מִקְּדָשׁ; (Exodus 15:17), from קָדַשׁ; a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum; chapel, hallowed part, holy place, sanctuary.
Transliteration:miqdâsh
Pronunciation:mik-dawsh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term *miqdâsh* (`{{H4720}}`) is derived from the verb *qâdash* (`{{H6942}}`), which fundamentally means "to be holy," "to be set apart," or "to be consecrated." Thus, *miqdâsh* denotes a place or object that has been dedicated or consecrated for a sacred purpose. Its primary semantic range encompasses "sanctuary," "holy place," or "hallowed part." While most commonly referring to the dwelling place of Yahweh, the term is broad enough to include any consecrated religious site, even those dedicated to pagan deities, as seen in its application to the "king's sanctuary" in Bethel ([[Amos 7:13]]). The definition also extends to concepts like "chapel," "palace," or even an "asylum," highlighting a place of special status, protection, or divine/royal residence. The core idea is a space separated from the profane and dedicated to the sacred.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *miqdâsh* appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the Pentateuch (Exodus, Leviticus) and the prophetic books (Ezekiel, Isaiah).
Its most prominent usage refers to:
* **The Tabernacle:** God commands Israel to "make for me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst" ([[Exodus 25:8]]). Here, *miqdâsh* denotes the portable dwelling place of God in the wilderness ([[Exodus 36:3]], [[Leviticus 12:4]]).
* **The Temple in Jerusalem:** Later, the term is applied to Solomon's Temple ([[1 Chronicles 22:19]], [[Psalm 74:7]], [[Isaiah 60:13]]), signifying its role as the permanent dwelling of God's presence.
In these contexts, the *miqdâsh* is the central nexus of divine-human encounter, the place where God's glory descends ([[Exodus 29:43]], [[Exodus 40:34-35]]) and where atonement is made. The holiness of the *miqdâsh* necessitated strict regulations regarding purity and access ([[Leviticus 21:12]], [[Ezekiel 44:1]]), with violations incurring severe consequences ([[Leviticus 16:33]]).
Notably, *miqdâsh* is also used to describe non-Yahwistic religious sites, such as the idolatrous sanctuary in Bethel ([[Amos 7:13]]), illustrating the word's descriptive capacity for any consecrated religious structure, irrespective of the deity worshipped. In prophetic literature, it can refer to an idealized future Temple ([[Ezekiel 45:3]]) or lament the destruction of the existing one ([[Psalm 74:7]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of *miqdâsh* is deeply intertwined with several other key biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **`{{H6942}}` *qâdash* (to be holy):** This is the verbal root from which *miqdâsh* is derived, emphasizing the act of setting apart and dedicating to God.
* **`{{H6944}}` *qodesh* (holiness, holy thing):** This noun form refers to the abstract quality of holiness or a concrete holy object. The *miqdâsh* is a specific *place* imbued with *qodesh*.
* **`{{H4908}}` *mishkan* (dwelling place, tabernacle):** Often used in parallel or synonymously with *miqdâsh* when referring to the Tabernacle ([[Exodus 40:9]]). While *mishkan* highlights God's act of dwelling, *miqdâsh* emphasizes the consecrated and holy nature of that dwelling.
* **`{{H1004}}` *bayit* (house):** Used for the Temple, often as "house of Yahweh" ([[1 Kings 6:1]]). While *bayit* refers to the physical structure, *miqdâsh* underscores its sacred function and status.
The concept of *miqdâsh* is also inherently linked to broader themes of **purity, separation from the profane, and the sanctity** required for approaching the divine.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *miqdâsh* is profound and multifaceted:
* **Divine Immanence and Presence:** The *miqdâsh* is the tangible symbol of God's desire and ability to dwell among His people. It represents the locus of divine presence, where God manifests His glory and meets with humanity. This presence is not merely static but active, enabling communion and the process of atonement.
* **God's Absolute Holiness:** The stringent requirements for the construction, maintenance, and access to the *miqdâsh* underscore the unapproachable holiness of God. It served as a constant reminder of the vast chasm between the divine and the human, emphasizing that God's presence demands reverence, purity, and separation from sin.
* **Means of Atonement and Reconciliation:** As the designated place for sacrifices and the performance of the Day of Atonement rituals, the *miqdâsh* was central to Israel's system of atonement. It was the divinely ordained means through which sin could be covered and fellowship with a holy God restored.
* **Covenant Fidelity:** The command to build the *miqdâsh* ([[Exodus 25:8]]) was an integral part of the Mosaic Covenant, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His promise to be Israel's God and for Israel to be His unique people.
* **Anticipation of Christ:** The Old Testament *miqdâsh* serves as a powerful type pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared that He was the true Temple ([[John 2:19-21]]), the ultimate dwelling of God among humanity ([[John 1:14]]). Through His perfect sacrifice, He fulfilled all the atonement rituals performed in the earthly sanctuary. Furthermore, in the New Covenant, believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, become the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([[1 Corinthians 6:19]]), a spiritual *miqdâsh* where God dwells.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *miqdâsh* (`{{H4720}}`), derived from the root *qâdash* (`{{H6942}}`), signifies a "sanctuary" or "holy place" that has been consecrated and set apart for sacred purposes. While applicable to any religious edifice, its primary and most significant usage in the Old Testament refers to the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem, serving as the physical dwelling place for Yahweh among His chosen people. The *miqdâsh* was the central hub of Israelite worship, embodying God's manifest presence, His absolute holiness, and the divinely provided means of atonement and reconciliation within the covenant relationship. Its intricate design and strict regulations underscored the profound reverence due to God. The theological significance of *miqdâsh* culminates in the New Testament, where Christ is revealed as the ultimate Temple, and believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, become a spiritual sanctuary, fulfilling the ancient promise of God dwelling intimately with humanity.
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