מְכֻנָה (me.khu.nah)
me.khu.nah
base
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mĕkūnā refers to a fixed resting place or base, serving as the stable foundation for something else. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Zechariah 10:4, where it describes a cornerstone or foundation stone from which the tent peg, battle bow, and every ruler emerge. This singular usage anchors the word in imagery of structural support and origin.
Lexical sources note that this form is an alternate spelling of mĕkônah (Strong’s H4350), another term for a base or foundation. Both words share the same core meaning: a solid, immovable point that bears weight or provides stability. In Zechariah’s prophecy, the metaphor suggests that leadership and strength in Israel will arise from a reliable, enduring source rather than from fleeting political power.
Though rare, the word carries theological weight by emphasizing God’s role as the one who establishes firm foundations for His people. Translators often render it as “cornerstone” or “foundation,” reflecting its concrete architectural sense while pointing to spiritual reliability.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mĕkūnā points to a fixed resting place or base, offering a picture of stability in a shifting world. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Zechariah 10:4. There, it describes a cornerstone from which essential tools and leaders emerge. This imagery reminds us that true strength does not come from fleeting political power but from a reliable, enduring source.
For your faith, this word is an invitation to trust in God’s firm foundations. When life feels unstable, you can look to the One who establishes solid ground for His people. The metaphor suggests that leadership and strength arise from a place of divine order, not human chaos. This assurance allows us to rest in the knowledge that our lives are anchored by something permanent.
Though rare, this term carries significant theological weight. It emphasizes God’s role as the architect of stability. By understanding this concept, we see that our security lies not in our own abilities but in the unshakeable base provided by the Creator. This perspective brings peace to those seeking a firm place to stand.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- on own stand/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְכֻנָתָֽ/הּ\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
Zechariah 5:11
He said to me, “To build her a house in the land of Shinar. When it is prepared, she will be set there in her own place.”
This verse is provided as a candidate but does not contain the word mĕkūnā; therefore, no key verses can be selected from the supplied list as it contains no occurrences of H4369.