feminine of מִקְנֶה; properly, a buying, i.e. acquisition; concretely, a piece of property (land or living); also the sum paid; (he that is) bought, possession, piece, purchase.
Transliteration:miqnâh
Pronunciation:mik-naw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מִקְנָה (miqnâh, `{{H4736}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the verb קָנָה (qanah, `{{H7069}}`), meaning "to acquire" or "to buy." Its primary semantic range encompasses the act of buying, the object or property acquired through purchase, and the sum of money paid for an acquisition. As a noun, it can denote:
1. **The act of buying or acquisition:** The process by which something is obtained through payment.
2. **That which is bought or acquired:** This can refer to tangible property, such as land or livestock, or even people (e.g., servants/slaves).
3. **The price paid:** The monetary value exchanged in a transaction.
While closely related to מִקְנֶה (miqneh, `{{H4735}}`), which often specifically refers to livestock or acquired wealth in a broader sense, miqnâh tends to emphasize the *transactional* aspect of acquisition, often in a legal or commercial context, including the specific item or price involved in a purchase. Its feminine form might subtly highlight the abstract concept of acquisition or the acquired *thing* itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term miqnâh appears throughout the Old Testament, illuminating various aspects of ancient Israelite economic and social life. Its usage consistently revolves around the concept of acquisition through payment.
In Genesis, miqnâh frequently refers to individuals "bought with money." For instance, in the context of Abraham's covenant with God regarding circumcision, male servants "born in his house or bought with his money from any foreigner" are to be circumcised ([[Genesis 17:12]], [[Genesis 17:13]], [[Genesis 17:23]], [[Genesis 17:27]]). Here, miqnâh denotes the status of being a purchased individual, underscoring the legal ownership established through a transaction. Similarly, in Leviticus, rules for eating holy offerings distinguish between a priest's hired servant and one "bought with his money" ([[Leviticus 22:11]]), reinforcing the idea of property rights over purchased individuals.
The term also applies to the acquisition of land. Jacob's family is buried in the cave of Machpelah, which Abraham "bought with the field" from Ephron the Hittite "for a burial plot" ([[Genesis 49:32]]). This highlights the permanence and legal significance of land acquisition in the ancient Near East. Later, in the prophetic book of Jeremiah, during the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah is commanded by God to buy a field from his cousin Hanamel. The "deed of purchase" (sēpher ha-miqnâh) is a crucial legal document, signifying the validity of the transaction and serving as a testament to future hope and restoration ([[Jeremiah 32:11]], [[Jeremiah 32:12]], [[Jeremiah 32:14]], [[Jeremiah 32:16]], [[Jeremiah 32:43]], [[Jeremiah 32:44]]). The repeated mention of the "deed of purchase" underscores the legal and evidentiary nature of miqnâh in this context.
Furthermore, miqnâh can signify the "sum paid" or "redemption money." In Numbers, when the Levites are counted as a substitute for the firstborn of Israel, a "redemption price" is stipulated for the excess firstborn, calculated by the shekel of the sanctuary ([[Numbers 3:49]], [[Numbers 3:51]]). Here, miqnâh directly refers to the monetary value exchanged to effect a release or acquisition.
Finally, in Nehemiah, miqnâh appears in a broader commercial sense, referring to "all kinds of grain" that the people of Judah were "selling" on the Sabbath ([[Nehemiah 13:15]]). While the context is "selling," the underlying concept is that of "what is bought" or "marketable goods," emphasizing the transactional nature of the items.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of miqnâh is rich with related terms and concepts:
* **קָנָה (qanah, `{{H7069}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to acquire," "to buy," "to possess," or even "to create." miqnâh is a direct nominal derivative, representing the outcome or act of this verb. Understanding the verb's range (from physical acquisition to divine creation, as in God "creating" Israel) enriches the understanding of miqnâh.
* **מִקְנֶה (miqneh, `{{H4735}}`):** The masculine counterpart to miqnâh. While often used broadly for "property" or "possessions," miqneh frequently denotes livestock (e.g., "cattle," "flocks," "herds"). The distinction, though subtle, often places miqnâh more squarely on the act of purchase or the specific item acquired through a transaction, whereas miqneh can refer to the general collection of acquired wealth, particularly animals.
* **נַחֲלָה (nachalah, `{{H5159}}`):** "Inheritance," "possession." While miqnâh signifies property obtained through purchase, nachalah typically refers to property (especially land) acquired by inheritance, often divinely granted as an enduring possession within the tribal allotments of Israel. The contrast highlights different modes of acquiring and holding property.
* **יְרֻשָּׁה (yerushshah, `{{H3423}}`):** Similar to nachalah, meaning "possession" or "inheritance," derived from the verb יָרַשׁ (yarash, `{{H3423}}`), "to inherit" or "to take possession."
* **Concepts:** miqnâh is intrinsically linked to concepts of property rights, economic transactions, ownership, and legal frameworks in ancient Israel. Its use in relation to purchased servants also brings in the concept of servitude and the legal status of individuals.
### Theological Significance
While miqnâh primarily functions in a literal, socio-economic sense, its underlying concepts carry significant theological resonance:
1. **Divine Ownership and Redemption:** The human act of "buying" or "acquiring" something at a "price" provides a conceptual framework for understanding God's relationship with His people. Although miqnâh itself is not typically used for divine redemption, the foundational idea of a "purchase price" or "acquisition" by payment prefigures the ultimate "redemption" of Israel and, later, the church. The New Testament speaks of believers being "bought with a price" (agorazō, `{{G59}}`), a concept deeply rooted in the Old Testament understanding of acquisition by payment.
2. **Covenantal Possession:** God "acquires" Israel as His chosen people, a "treasured possession" (segullah). While not using miqnâh directly for this divine act, the human experience of acquiring valuable property helps to illustrate the unique and cherished status of Israel in God's eyes.
3. **Land as a Promise and Possession:** The repeated emphasis on the "purchase" of land (e.g., by Abraham, Jeremiah) underscores the theological importance of the land of Canaan as a tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Even when in exile, the act of purchasing land (Jeremiah 32) serves as a prophetic sign of future restoration and repossession of the promised inheritance.
4. **Stewardship:** The ownership implied by miqnâh, whether of land, livestock, or even people (servants), inherently carries the responsibility of stewardship within a covenantal worldview. All possessions ultimately belong to God, and human ownership is a form of entrusted management.
### Summary
The Hebrew term מִקְנָה (miqnâh, `{{H4736}}`) is a versatile noun signifying "acquisition" in its various forms: the act of buying, the item bought (whether land, livestock, or people), or the price paid for an acquisition. Its usage in the Old Testament illuminates the legal and economic realities of ancient Israel, particularly concerning property rights, commercial transactions, and the status of purchased servants. While primarily a term of everyday commerce, miqnâh provides a crucial conceptual underpinning for broader theological themes such as divine ownership, the nature of God's covenantal possession of His people, and the profound concept of redemption through a "price." Its connection to the root קָנָה (qanah, `{{H7069}}`) and its nuanced distinction from מִקְנֶה (miqneh, `{{H4735}}`) further highlight its specific emphasis on the transactional aspect of acquiring something of value.