מִכְמֶ֫רֶת (mikh.me.ret)
mikh.me.ret
net
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mikhmeret refers specifically to a net, particularly one used for fishing. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, marking it as a relatively rare term compared to more common words for traps or snares. The lexicon sources identify it primarily through its practical application in aquatic contexts, distinguishing it from general hunting gear.
One of its key occurrences is in Isaiah 19:8, where it describes the nets of fishermen along the Nile. This usage highlights the word’s concrete association with daily labor and sustenance rather than metaphorical entrapment, which is common for other Hebrew words for "snare." The text paints a vivid picture of economic disruption, as the very tools of trade are rendered useless or destroyed.
Although it shares a root with other terms for nets, mikhmeret stands out in these brief appearances for its direct link to the livelihood of those who work the waters. Its scarcity in Scripture suggests that when the biblical writers needed to describe this specific object, they chose this precise term to evoke the image of a fishing net, grounding their message in the tangible reality of ancient life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mikhmeret brings us back to the tangible reality of ancient daily life. It refers specifically to a fishing net, a tool essential for survival along rivers like the Nile. When Isaiah describes fishermen mourning because their nets are ruined, he is not speaking in abstract theology but in the language of economic loss and disrupted livelihoods. This grounding in physical reality helps us understand that biblical messages often address real human struggles.
In Habakkuk, the imagery shifts to show how this ordinary tool can become an object of pride. The prophet describes a conqueror who thanks his net for his success, effectively worshipping the means of his gain rather than God. This serves as a sobering reminder that we can too easily elevate our resources or skills above the Source of all provision.
Reflecting on this word invites us to examine where we place our trust. Whether facing loss like the fishermen in Isaiah or tempted by self-sufficiency like the conqueror in Habakkuk, we are called to remember that true security comes from God alone, not from the nets we weave.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ fishing net/ his1×
- in/ fishing net/ his1×
- <of> a fishing net1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִכְמֹ֛רֶת1×
- לְ/מִכְמַרְתּ֑/וֹ1×
- בְּ/מִכְמַרְתּ֑/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 19:8
The fishermen will lament, and all those who fish in the Nile will mourn, and those who spread nets on the waters will languish.
This verse uses the term to depict concrete economic devastation, showing how divine judgment impacts the daily livelihood of those who depend on fishing for survival.
-
Habakkuk 1:15
He takes up all of them with the hook. He catches them in his net and gathers them in his dragnet. Therefore he rejoices and is glad.
Here the word illustrates the efficiency of a conqueror's military might, which is metaphorically compared to a fisherman catching prey without effort.
-
Habakkuk 1:16
Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, because by them his life is luxurious and his food is good.
This occurrence highlights the danger of idolatry, as the conqueror sacrifices to his own tool of success, attributing his prosperity to the net rather than to God.