מְכוֹנָה (me.kho.nah)
me.kho.nah
base
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun mekonah refers to a fixed resting place, base, or pedestal. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes the solid foundation that supports heavy structures or sacred objects. The term appears eighteen times, with significant usage in the historical books of Kings and the prophetic book of Jeremiah.
These passages often depict the bases of bronze pillars or stands within the temple complex. For instance, 1 Kings 7:27-37 details the construction of ten movable stands, each resting on a mekonah designed to hold basins for washing. The word emphasizes stability and structural integrity, marking the point where an object connects securely to the ground.
Translators typically render this term as "base" or "stand." It distinguishes the supporting structure from the object it holds. This concrete imagery highlights the importance of a firm foundation in ancient temple architecture, reflecting a broader biblical theme where stability comes from being firmly rooted.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mekonah describes a sturdy base or pedestal designed to hold something heavy and important. In the temple, these bronze structures supported massive basins used for washing, ensuring they remained stable and secure. This imagery reminds us that what we value needs a firm foundation to stand tall and function properly.
When life feels unstable, it helps to remember that God provides the solid ground beneath our feet. Just as the temple vessels rested on strong bases, our faith rests on His unchanging character. We can find peace knowing that our spiritual lives are supported by something far stronger than our own efforts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ stands13×
- the/ stand7×
- foundations/ its1×
- and/ the/ stands1×
- [were] on the/ stand1×
- [belonged] to the/ stand1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מְּכֹנֽוֹת\׃3×
- הַ/מְּכוֹנָ֣ה2×
- הַ/מְּכֹנָ֖ה2×
- הַ/מְּכֹנ֞וֹת2×
- הַ/מְּכֹנ֖וֹת2×
- הַ/מְּכֹנ֔וֹת2×
- הַ/מְּכֹנ֑וֹת2×
- מְכ֣וֹנֹתָ֔י/ו1×
- לַ/מְּכוֹנָ֤ה1×
- וְ/הַ/מְּכֹנ֔וֹת1×
- הַ/מְּכוֹנָ֗ה1×
- הַ/מְּכוֹנָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 7:27
He made the ten bases of bronze. The length of one base was four cubits, four cubits its width, and three cubits its height.
This verse introduces the ten bronze bases, establishing their specific dimensions and role as foundational supports for the temple vessels.
-
Ezra 3:3
In spite of their fear because of the peoples of the surrounding lands, they set the altar on its base; and they offered burnt offerings on it to Yahweh, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
Here the altar is placed on its base despite fear of surrounding peoples, showing how a secure foundation enables worship even in difficult circumstances.
-
II Kings 25:13
The Chaldeans broke up the pillars of bronze that were in Yahweh’s house and the bases and the bronze sea that were in Yahweh’s house, and carried the bronze pieces to Babylon.
The destruction of these bases by the Chaldeans marks the end of an era, highlighting the loss of the physical structures that once supported temple worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word mekonah mean?
Why is this word important in the Bible?
How is mekonah different from other words for foundation?
Every Occurrence (18 verses across 5 books)
I Kings 10 verses
He made the ten bases of bronze. The length of one base was four cubits, four cubits its width, and three cubits its…
I Kings 7:28The work of the bases was like this: they had panels; and there were panels between the ledges;
I Kings 7:30Every base had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze; and its four feet had supports. The supports were cast beneath…
I Kings 7:32The four wheels were underneath the panels; and the axles of the wheels were in the base. The height of a wheel was a…
I Kings 7:34There were four supports at the four corners of each base. Its supports were of the base itself.
I Kings 7:35In the top of the base there was a round band half a cubit high; and on the top of the base its supports and its panels…
I Kings 7:37He made the ten bases in this way: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one form.
I Kings 7:38He made ten basins of bronze. One basin contained forty baths. Every basin measured four cubits. One basin was on every…
I Kings 7:39He set the bases, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house. He set the sea on the…
I Kings 7:43the ten bases; the ten basins on the bases;