מִקְנֵיָ֫הוּ (miq.ne.ya.hu)
miq.ne.ya.hu
Mikneiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The proper name Mikneiah means "possession of Jehovah." It combines the Hebrew word for possession or property with the divine name Yahweh, declaring that what belongs to this person ultimately belongs to God.
This name appears only twice in Scripture, both times in 1 Chronicles. It identifies a Levite musician and gatekeeper appointed by King David to serve in the temple band (1 Chronicles 15:18; 24:6). His role highlights the importance of worship leadership in ancient Israel.
The name reflects a theological theme common among Israelites: that their lives, talents, and service were held as sacred trusts from God. By naming his child Mikneiah, the father acknowledged that even musical gifts and temple duties were divine possessions, not personal achievements.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mikneiah carries a quiet but powerful declaration: it means "possession of Jehovah." In ancient Israel, this was not merely a label but a theological statement about identity. It acknowledged that every talent, role, and gift belonged ultimately to God. When we look at the lives of those who served in the temple, we see individuals who understood their service as a sacred trust rather than personal achievement.
For your own life, this word invites a gentle shift in perspective. Whether you are leading a team, caring for a family, or serving in a small way within your community, your abilities are not solely your own. They are gifts held in trust from the Creator. Recognizing this can bring relief from the pressure to perform and replace it with a sense of faithful stewardship.
When we offer our time and energy back to God, we participate in a long tradition of worship. It reminds us that our work matters because it is done in His presence. This perspective transforms daily duties into acts of devotion, grounding our faith in the reality that everything we have is held securely by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Mikneiah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מִקְנֵיָ֨הוּ1×
- וּ/מִקְנֵיָ֙הוּ֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 15:18
and with them their brothers of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.
This verse places Mikneiah among the gatekeepers and musicians appointed by David, showing his specific role in the organized worship of Israel.
-
I Chronicles 15:21
and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead.
Here he is listed with those playing harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, highlighting how musical gifts were dedicated to leading the congregation in praise.