מְכֹנָה (me.kho.nah)
me.kho.nah
Meconah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mekonah appears only once in the Old Testament, specifically in Nehemiah 11:28. It functions as a proper place name for one of the towns resettled by Israelites returning from Babylonian exile. The term derives from a root meaning "foundation" or "establishment," suggesting a community built on solid ground after years of displacement.
Its solitary occurrence highlights the practical reality of post-exilic life. The list in Nehemiah 11 details how the people organized themselves geographically to secure their land and identity. Mekonah is grouped with other settlements like Azmaveth and Januah, illustrating the systematic repopulation efforts under leaders like Nehemiah.
While the word itself carries the weight of stability and permanence, its biblical usage is strictly geographical. It does not appear in poetic or theological contexts to describe God’s foundation, but rather marks a physical location where families lived and worked. This concrete reference reminds readers that faith was lived out in specific towns and villages during this historical period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Meconah appears just once in the Old Testament, listed among the towns where returning exiles settled after their time in Babylon. Its root suggests a foundation or establishment, pointing to a community built on solid ground after years of displacement. This single mention reminds us that faith is not only found in grand theological statements but also in the quiet, steady work of rebuilding daily life.
When we read about families moving into places like Meconah, we see people taking practical steps to secure their homes and identities. It was a time of organizing land and establishing new routines under leaders like Nehemiah. For us today, this offers a gentle encouragement: God is present in the ordinary moments of setting up our own foundations, whether that means starting a new job, moving to a new neighborhood, or simply finding stability after a season of change.
While the word itself is strictly geographical, its context speaks to the reality of post-exilic life. It shows that spiritual renewal often goes hand in hand with physical restoration. We can trust that God cares about the details of our living spaces and the communities we build, using these earthly foundations to support our journey of faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ in/ Meconah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בִ/מְכֹנָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 11:28
in Ziklag, in Meconah and in its towns,
This verse lists Meconah as part of the specific settlements where Israelites relocated, highlighting its role in the systematic repopulation efforts to secure the land.