feminine of מִקְוֶה; a collection, i.e. (of water) a reservoir; ditch.
Transliteration:miqvâh
Pronunciation:mik-vaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H4724 (מִקְוָה, *miqvâh*) is a feminine noun derived from the root `{{H6960}}` (qâvâh), which carries the primary meaning of "to collect" or "to gather." In its nominal form, miqvâh specifically refers to a "collection" or "gathering," particularly of water. Its semantic range thus encompasses "a reservoir," "a pool," "a cistern," or "a ditch." The term emphasizes water that has been accumulated or contained, distinguishing it from naturally flowing sources. The feminine grammatical gender of the noun often points to a concrete, tangible entity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H4724 in the Hebrew Bible, though few, are significant:
* **Divine Creation:** In [[Genesis 1:10]], miqvâh is used in the context of creation: "And God called the dry land Earth; and the *gathering together* of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." Here, miqvâh (miqvêh hammayim) describes God's sovereign act of collecting the primordial waters into designated places, forming the seas. This foundational usage establishes miqvâh as an element of divine order and the structuring of the cosmos.
* **Ritual Purity:** [[Leviticus 11:36]] states: "Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is *plenty of water*, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean." In this verse, miqvâh (miqvêh mayim) refers to a "collection of water" or "reservoir" that retains its ritual purity, even if an unclean carcass falls into it. This is crucial for understanding the laws of ritual purity, as a miqvâh was a permissible source for purification rites. It distinguishes between a living, flowing source ("fountain") and a collected body of water, both of which could be ritually clean under specific conditions.
* **Human Endeavor and Trust:** [[Isaiah 22:11]] contains a prophetic critique: "Ye made also a *ditch* between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago." Here, miqvâh is translated as "ditch" or "reservoir," referring to the man-made efforts of Jerusalem's inhabitants to secure water for their city's defense. This passage contrasts human reliance on their own engineering and provisions with a lack of trust and respect for God, the ultimate provider.
Across these contexts, miqvâh consistently denotes a body of water that has been gathered, whether by divine fiat or human design, and its meaning is deeply intertwined with themes of order, purity, and trust.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word miqvâh is intrinsically linked to its root and related terms:
* **`{{H6960}}` (qâvâh):** The verbal root from which miqvâh is derived, meaning "to collect, gather," but also "to wait, hope." While miqvâh (H4724) focuses on the physical collection, the semantic range of the root is broader.
* **`{{H4723}}` (miqveh):** This is the masculine counterpart of miqvâh. While miqveh can also mean "collection" (e.g., of horses in [[1 Kings 10:28]]), it notably carries the additional meaning of "hope" or "expectation" (e.g., [[Jeremiah 14:8]]). This dual meaning in the masculine form, though not directly present in H4724, highlights the broader conceptual family.
* **Water Terminology:** miqvâh stands alongside other terms for water and its sources, such as `{{H4325}}` (*mayim* - water), `{{H3220}}` (*yam* - sea), `{{H4599}}` (*ma'yan* - fountain), and `{{H953}}` (*bor* - cistern/pit). miqvâh specifically emphasizes the *gathered* nature of the water, distinguishing it from flowing springs or deep pits.
* **Ritual Purity:** The concept of miqvâh is central to the Levitical laws of ritual purity, where specific requirements for water sources were outlined for purification.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of miqvâh emerges from its contextual uses:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Order in Creation:** The inaugural use of miqvâh in [[Genesis 1:10]] underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation. His act of "gathering together" the waters into "seas" demonstrates His power to bring order out of chaos, establish boundaries, and prepare the earth for life. This signifies a universe governed by divine purpose and design, where even the vast oceans are not chaotic but are divinely appointed "collections."
* **Holiness and Ritual Purity:** In the Levitical context ([[Leviticus 11:36]]), miqvâh serves as a practical and symbolic means for maintaining ritual purity. The miqvâh was a divinely sanctioned medium for cleansing from various forms of ritual impurity. This highlights God's demand for holiness from His covenant people, not merely as an abstract concept, but as a tangible requirement for daily life and worship. It points to the necessity of separation from defilement to approach a holy God.
* **Trust in God vs. Human Self-Reliance:** The prophetic use in [[Isaiah 22:11]] provides a powerful theological warning. The people's diligent efforts to construct a miqvâh for their defense and water supply, while neglecting to "look unto the maker thereof," illustrates the human tendency to place trust in their own ingenuity and provisions rather than in God. This contrasts human short-sightedness and misplaced security with divine providence and the ultimate source of all sustenance and protection. It serves as a call to repentance and a reminder that true security lies in reliance on God, not on human works.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H4724 (מִקְוָה, *miqvâh*) denotes a "collection of water," such as a reservoir, pool, or ditch. Its limited but profound occurrences in the Hebrew Bible reveal layers of theological meaning. In the creation narrative, it signifies God's divine ordering of the cosmos, establishing boundaries for the primordial waters to form the seas [[Genesis 1:10]]. Within the Levitical laws, miqvâh is foundational to ritual purification, serving as a ritually clean source for cleansing, thereby emphasizing the practical outworking of holiness and separation in the life of the covenant community [[Leviticus 11:36]]. Furthermore, its appearance in prophetic literature highlights the human propensity to rely on self-made solutions and material provisions (like a constructed miqvâh) rather than placing trust in the sovereign God who is the ultimate source of all life and security [[Isaiah 22:11]]. Thus, miqvâh transcends its literal meaning, becoming a symbol of divine order, ritual purity, and the critical distinction between human self-reliance and absolute trust in the living God.
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