מַתְכֹ֫נֶת (mat.kho.net)

mat.kho.net

tally

H4971 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 4 verses

H:N-F

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 4 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun matkoneht refers to a specific measure or count, often translated as "tally" or "proportion." It denotes a precise quantification rather than a general size, emphasizing accuracy in recording quantities. This word appears primarily in administrative and historical contexts where exact numbers were critical for organization and accountability.

Its most notable usage occurs in Exodus 5:18 and II Chronicles 8:10, where it describes the tally of bricks required for construction projects. In these instances, the term highlights the burden of labor and the meticulous tracking of resources by overseers. The word underscores the importance of precision in ancient bureaucratic systems, reflecting a culture that valued detailed record-keeping.

Translators typically render matkoneht as "tally" or "number," capturing its sense of a calculated sum. This choice preserves the original emphasis on exactitude, distinguishing it from broader terms for size or quantity. The word’s limited occurrence in Scripture points to its specialized role in describing measured counts within specific historical narratives.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word matkoneht points to a precise count or tally, often used in ancient administrative records to track resources like bricks or labor. In Exodus 5:8, Pharaoh’s officials demand that the Israelites maintain their previous brick tally despite being denied straw. This detail highlights the crushing weight of forced labor and the meticulous control exerted by oppressive systems.

For your faith, this word reminds us that God sees the specific burdens placed on His people. The Bible does not ignore the reality of injustice; it records the exact numbers to show how hard life can become under tyranny. Yet, even in these moments of strict accounting, God’s presence remains with those who suffer.

We serve a God who knows the number of hairs on our heads and counts our tears. While human systems may seek to reduce us to mere statistics or labor units, your value is not defined by productivity or output. You are known personally by the Creator, who cares for every detail of your life.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.

measurement/ its1×
in/ proportion[s]/ its1×
and/ in/ proportion[s]/ its1×
[the] measurement of1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

מַתְכֻּנְתּ֖/וֹ1×
מַתְכֹּ֨נֶת1×
וּ/בְ/מַ֨תְכֻּנְתּ֔/וֹ1×
בְּ/מַ֨תְכֻּנְתָּ֔/הּ1×

Key Verses

Exodus 5:8
You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’

This verse uses matkoneht to show how Pharaoh’s officials demanded the Israelites maintain their exact brick quota, intensifying their oppression by removing resources while keeping the same workload.
II Chronicles 24:13
So the workmen worked, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands. They set up God’s house as it was designed, and strengthened it.

Although this verse does not explicitly contain the word matkoneht in most translations, it describes the precise execution of repairs to God’s house, reflecting the same spirit of careful accounting and order associated with the term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does matkoneht mean in the Bible?

Matkoneht is a Hebrew noun that means 'tally,' 'proportion,' or 'exact count.' It is used to describe precise measurements, particularly in administrative contexts like tracking brick production for construction projects.

Where does matkoneht appear in Scripture?

It appears primarily in Exodus 5:8, where Pharaoh’s officials demand the Israelites maintain their brick tally. It is also associated with contexts of careful accounting, such as the repairs to God’s house in II Chronicles 24:13.

Why is this word significant for understanding oppression?

In Exodus 5:8, matkoneht highlights how oppressive systems use precise tracking to maximize labor and control. It shows that God records the specific injustices faced by His people, validating their suffering rather than ignoring it.

Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)

Exodus 3 verses

Exodus 5:8

You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for…

Exodus 30:32

It shall not be poured on man’s flesh, and do not make any like it, according to its composition. It is holy. It shall…

Exodus 30:37

You shall not make this incense, according to its composition, for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Yahweh.

II Chronicles 1 verse