from לָקַח; something received, i.e. merchandise (purchased); ware.
Transliteration:maqqâchâh
Pronunciation:mak-kaw-khaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun maqqâchâh (`{{H4728}}`) is derived from the verbal root lāqaḥ (`{{H3947}}`), which fundamentally means "to take," "to receive," or "to acquire." Consequently, maqqâchâh signifies "that which is taken" or "that which is received." In its specific application, it refers to "merchandise," "wares," or "goods" that have been obtained through purchase or trade. The term inherently implies a commercial transaction, where commodities are received in exchange for value, typically money or other goods. Its semantic range is quite narrow, focusing exclusively on items of commerce.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word maqqâchâh (`{{H4728}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the prophet Ezekiel's lament over the city of Tyre.
* **[[Ezekiel 27:12]]**: "Tarshish was your merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead they traded for your wares (maqqâchâh)."
* This verse is part of a detailed description of Tyre's extensive global trade network. maqqâchâh here refers to the specific goods or products that Tyre offered for sale to its trading partners. The context highlights Tyre's role as a major exporter of valuable commodities, illustrating the vast array of items that flowed from the city to the nations. The emphasis is on the goods *received* by those trading with Tyre.
* **[[Ezekiel 27:33]]**: "When your wares (maqqâchâh) went forth from the seas, you filled many peoples; with the multitude of your riches and your merchandise you enriched the kings of the earth."
* Continuing the lament, this verse further emphasizes the immense scale of Tyre's commercial activity and its far-reaching influence. maqqâchâh again denotes the exported goods that were so abundant they "filled many peoples" and contributed to the wealth of kings. This usage reinforces the meaning of maqqâchâh as valuable commercial commodities, underscoring the economic power and global reach derived from Tyre's trade.
In both instances, maqqâchâh is used in a highly commercialized setting, specifically denoting the goods that a dominant trading city provides to others, thereby showcasing its economic prowess.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **lāqaḥ (`{{H3947}}`):** The foundational root verb, "to take," "to receive," "to acquire." This etymological link underscores that maqqâchâh represents items that are *taken* or *received* in a transactional context.
* **sōḥēr (`{{H5503}}`):** "Merchant" or "trader." This term identifies the individual or entity engaged in the exchange of maqqâchâh.
* **miśḥār (`{{H4045}}`):** "Merchandise," "trade," or "traffic." This is a broader term for commercial activity or the goods involved. Notably, in [[Ezekiel 27:33]], maqqâchâh appears in parallel with miśḥār, signifying the close conceptual relationship between the two terms for commercial goods.
* **sekōrāh (`{{H5507}}`):** "Merchandise" or "gain by trade." Similar to maqqâchâh, this term also refers to commercial goods and the profit derived from their exchange.
* The broader concepts of buying, selling, commercial transactions, and the accumulation of wealth through trade are all intimately connected to the understanding of maqqâchâh.
### Theological Significance
While maqqâchâh (`{{H4728}}`) is a descriptive term for commercial goods, its theological significance is deeply embedded in the prophetic context of Ezekiel's oracle against Tyre. The prophet portrays Tyre's immense wealth, largely derived from its vast trade in maqqâchâh, as the source of its exceeding pride and self-sufficiency. The divine judgment pronounced upon Tyre (Ezekiel 26-28) is a direct consequence of this hubris and the city's reliance on its material riches and commercial power rather than on the Lord.
Thus, the maqqâchâh of Tyre, representing the zenith of its earthly prosperity, becomes a poignant symbol of human arrogance stemming from material abundance. The prophetic message implicitly critiques the ultimate futility of trusting in accumulated maqqâchâh and commercial might as a source of lasting security or enduring prosperity. It serves as a powerful biblical illustration of how even legitimately acquired wealth, if idolized or if it fosters self-reliance apart from God, can become a spiritual snare leading to divine judgment. The narrative underscores the ephemeral nature of earthly riches and the importance of recognizing God as the ultimate source of all blessing and security.
### Summary
The Hebrew word maqqâchâh (`{{H4728}}`), derived from lāqaḥ (`{{H3947}}`), specifically denotes "merchandise" or "wares"—goods acquired through commercial exchange. Its two biblical occurrences, both in Ezekiel's lament over Tyre ([[Ezekiel 27:12]], [[Ezekiel 27:33]]), firmly place it within the context of vast international trade and economic power. Theologically, maqqâchâh becomes more than a mere commercial term; it symbolizes the material wealth that fueled Tyre's pride and ultimately led to its downfall. It serves as a powerful prophetic warning against placing ultimate trust in earthly riches and commercial might, highlighting the transient nature of human prosperity when divorced from divine sovereignty.
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