מֶחֱצָה (me.che.tsah)
me.che.tsah
half
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun meḥēṣāh simply means "half." It is a straightforward term used to divide something into two equal parts, most notably in the context of distributing war spoils. You will find it appearing in just two verses, both located in the book of Numbers.
Its primary usage occurs in Numbers 31:27, where Moses outlines how the plunder taken from the Midianites is to be shared. The text specifies that the goods are to be split evenly between those who went into battle and the rest of the congregation. This legal detail ensures a fair distribution of resources after conflict.
While the word itself carries no complex theological weight, its specific application highlights the structured nature of Israelite community life. By mandating an equal share for both fighters and non-combatants, the law emphasizes collective responsibility and equity in times of war.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word meḥēṣāh simply means 'half.' It appears only twice in Scripture, both within the detailed accounts of Numbers chapter 31. In these verses, Moses establishes how the spoils from battle were to be divided equally between the soldiers who fought and the rest of the community. This was not merely a logistical calculation but a profound statement on fairness and shared responsibility.
For your daily life, this word reminds us that God cares about equity in our relationships and communities. Whether sharing resources, time, or burdens, the principle remains: everyone deserves their due portion. It encourages us to look beyond individual gain and consider the well-being of the whole group. In times of conflict or division, remembering that God values balanced and just distribution can guide our decisions toward peace and unity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ half1×
- [the] half of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֶחֱצַ֥ת1×
- הַֽ/מֶּחֱצָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 31:36
The half, which was the portion of those who went out to war, was in number three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep;
This verse specifies the exact quantity of sheep designated as the half for the warriors, highlighting the precision required in honoring each group's contribution.
-
Numbers 31:43
(now the congregation’s half was three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep,
Here the text records the congregation’s half, ensuring that those who did not fight received an equal share, thus validating their role in the community's success.