מָנֶה (ma.neh)
ma.neh
mina
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun maneh refers to a mina, a standard unit of weight used for silver and gold in the ancient Near East. It functioned as both a measure of value and a practical tool for commerce, representing a significant sum that required careful handling. In the Hebrew Bible, this term appears only twice, anchoring its meaning in specific historical contexts rather than general usage.
Lexical sources indicate that a mina consisted of either sixty shekels of silver or one hundred shekels of gold, depending on the metal and regional standard. This distinction highlights the varying economic systems across Babylonian and Israelite cultures. The word’s rarity in Scripture suggests it was a technical term known to those dealing with high-value transactions or temple finances, rather than everyday currency.
Its appearance in Ezra 2:69 and I Kings 10:17 underscores its role in royal and religious economies. In these passages, the mina quantifies substantial offerings or treasures, reflecting the wealth of kings and the devotion of the people. The term’s limited occurrence preserves its sense of weight and importance, reminding readers that value in biblical times was tangible and measured.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word maneh represents a substantial weight of precious metal, serving as a tangible measure of value in ancient economies. It was not loose change but a significant sum, requiring careful handling and accounting. This concrete reality reminds us that devotion often involves real sacrifice and the stewardship of resources we hold in trust.
When we see this term in Scripture, it highlights the scale of offerings given to God or the treasures prepared for His house. It points to a time when wealth was physical and heavy, yet used to support worship and community needs. We are invited to consider how our own gifts, however measured, contribute to the work of faith.
Ultimately, this word anchors our understanding of generosity in history. It shows that giving has always been a serious matter, reflecting the heart’s commitment to what is eternal. May we approach our resources with the same reverence and intentionality as those who brought minas to the temple.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- minas2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָנִים֙1×
- מָנִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 10:17
He made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
This verse specifies the exact weight of gold used for royal shields, illustrating the maneh as a precise unit for measuring high-value craftsmanship and royal splendor.
-
Ezra 2:69
They gave according to their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
Here the maneh quantifies the silver contributed by returning exiles, showing its role in collecting substantial funds for rebuilding the temple community.