מִקְנָה (miq.nah)
miq.nah
purchase
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun miqnah refers to something acquired through a transaction, primarily meaning a purchase or the price paid for it. In Genesis and Leviticus, this term often appears in the context of buying land or goods, highlighting the legal and economic reality of ownership. It is not merely an abstract concept of wealth but denotes specific items secured by exchange.
A distinct nuance emerges in Jeremiah, where miqnah can refer to possessions gained by purchase, including people. This usage reflects the historical practice of debt slavery or servitude, where individuals were treated as property to be bought. The word underscores the gravity of such transactions, marking a shift from personal freedom to owned status.
Its root relates to the act of buying, connecting it closely with verbs for acquiring. Translators render it variously as "purchase," "price," or "possession" depending on context. In Genesis 23, Abraham negotiates the purchase of a burial plot, illustrating miqnah as a formalized acquisition. This term anchors biblical narratives in the tangible realities of ancient commerce and social structure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word miqnah points to the tangible reality of acquisition—whether it is land, goods, or a person secured through a transaction. In Genesis 23, Abraham uses this concept to formally purchase a burial plot, establishing a permanent foothold in the Promised Land. This act was not merely a commercial exchange but a legal claim that grounded his family’s future in God’s promise.
While the term appears in contexts of ancient commerce and even servitude, its presence in Scripture reminds us that ownership carries weight and responsibility. For believers today, it highlights the value of stewardship over what we hold. We are called to manage our resources and relationships with integrity, recognizing that everything we possess is ultimately held in trust.
This vocabulary anchors our faith in history. It shows God working through real-world legalities and agreements. When we read of deeds and purchases, we see a God who honors commitments and establishes lasting covenants. This stability offers comfort, assuring us that His promises are as solid as the land Abraham bought.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ purchase5×
- purchase/ his2×
- purchase price/ its2×
- and/ a purchase of2×
- [the] purchase of2×
- to/ a possession1×
- and/ [the] purchase of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִקְנָת֔/וֹ2×
- וּ/מִקְנַת\־2×
- הַ/מִּקְנָ֑ה2×
- מִקְנָתֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- מִקְנָת֑/וֹ1×
- מִקְנַת\־1×
- מִקְנַ֣ת1×
- לְ/מִקְנָ֖ה1×
- וּ/מִקְנַ֣ת1×
- הַ/מִּקְנָ֨ה1×
- הַ/מִּקְנָ֗ה1×
- הַ/מִּקְנָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 23:18
to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.
This verse records the legal transfer of the cave of Machpelah, establishing Abraham’s permanent ownership and securing his family’s burial rights in Canaan.
-
Jeremiah 32:11
So I took the deed of the purchase, both that which was sealed, containing the terms and conditions, and that which was open;
Jeremiah preserves a sealed deed of purchase during Jerusalem’s siege, acting as a tangible sign of hope and future restoration despite current judgment.
-
Genesis 17:23
Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him.
Abraham circumcises every male in his household, including those bought with money, demonstrating that covenant inclusion extended beyond biological lineage to all under his authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does miqnah mean in the Bible?
Why does miqnah appear in Genesis 17?
How is miqnah used in Jeremiah 32?
Is miqnah related to redemption?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 4 books)
Genesis 5 verses
He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the…
Genesis 17:13He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your…
Genesis 17:23Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among…
Genesis 17:27All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with…
Genesis 23:18to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.