מָכַר
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
Definition
The verb מָכַר (mâkar) fundamentally means 'to sell' or 'to give over in exchange for payment.' Its primary, literal sense involves commercial transactions, such as selling goods (Genesis 25:31) or property. It also extends to the tragic selling of people, most notably Joseph into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:27-28). Figuratively, the word can mean to surrender or deliver over, as when God speaks of Israel being 'sold' into the hands of enemies due to sin (Judges 2:14), or in the positive sense of God 'selling' or delivering enemies into Israel's hands (Judges 4:9).
Biblical Usage
מָכַר appears 74 times across the Old Testament, with significant clusters in the narratives of Genesis (e.g., the sale of Joseph, Genesis 37-45) and the legal material of Leviticus and Deuteronomy regarding property and slave laws (Leviticus 25). It is used in historical books for political subjugation (Judges, 1 Kings) and in the prophets as a metaphor for God's judgment, where Israel is 'sold' for its iniquities (Isaiah 50:1). The context determines whether it is a neutral commercial act, a morally charged human transaction, or a divine act of judgment or deliverance.
Etymology
מָכַר is a primitive root. Its basic meaning of 'to sell' or 'exchange' is shared with cognates in other Semitic languages like Aramaic and Ugaritic. The root conveys the core idea of a transfer of possession, typically for a price. There is no evidence of a significant shift in its fundamental meaning throughout the biblical period.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it frames key narratives of betrayal and providence (Joseph) and becomes a powerful metaphor for sin and redemption. Israel's covenant failure is described as being 'sold' for their sins (Isaiah 50:1), highlighting the consequences of breaking relationship with God. Conversely, God's sovereign control is shown when He 'sells' enemies into Israel's hands (Judges 4:9). Understanding this range—from literal slavery to divine judgment—enriches reading by connecting human actions (like selling a brother) to the larger biblical theme of God's ultimate authority over human destinies, even through evil acts, for His purposes (Genesis 45:4-5).
In ancient Israelite culture, selling was not merely an economic act but a deeply social and legal one. Selling a daughter as a servant (Exodus 21:7) or selling oneself or family into debt-slavery (Leviticus 25:39, 47) were regulated practices for survival, not just commerce. The sale of Joseph by his brothers violated familial bonds and was an act of profound treachery, reflecting the severe breakdown of relationship. The concept of being 'sold' to an enemy nation was a common metaphor for military defeat and subjugation, understood as a direct consequence of covenant disobedience.
נָתַן (nāthan, H5414) — a broader term meaning 'to give'; can imply a transfer without the specific commercial connotation of exchange for payment. עָבַד (ʿābad, H5647) — means 'to serve' or 'to enslave'; focuses on the resulting state of servitude rather than the transactional act of selling. מָכַר (mākar) itself is the primary and specific term for the act of selling.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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