מָכִיר
Makir, an Israelite
Definition
Makir is a proper name referring to several significant individuals in the Old Testament, primarily the firstborn son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph (Genesis 50:23, Numbers 26:29). As the patriarch of the clan of the Makirites, his descendants became a powerful and numerous family within the tribe of Manasseh, known for their military prowess. The name also refers to the territory settled by this clan, specifically the region of Gilead east of the Jordan River, which they conquered and occupied (Numbers 32:39-40, Deuteronomy 3:15). In later genealogies, Makir is also noted as the father of Gilead and the grandfather of Zelophehad, whose daughters' inheritance case established important legal precedents (Numbers 27:1, 36:1).
Biblical Usage
The name Makir is used exclusively in narrative and genealogical contexts within the Pentateuch and the book of Joshua. It appears primarily in the books of Numbers and Joshua, detailing the clan's inheritance and military conquests. Key patterns include its use in tribal genealogies (Numbers 26:29), land allocation narratives (Joshua 13:31), and stories of inheritance law (Numbers 36:1). The usage consistently highlights the Makirites as a foundational sub-tribe of Manasseh with a strong connection to the Transjordan region.
Etymology
The name Makir (מָכִיר) is derived from the Hebrew root מָכַר (mākar, H4376), meaning 'to sell' or 'to give over.' It is a participial form, often understood as 'salesman' or 'one who sells.' As a personal name, it likely carried a sense of 'acquired' or 'bought,' possibly reflecting a context of redemption or valued possession, though its exact symbolic meaning in the biblical narratives is not explicitly detailed.
Semantic Range
Makir is theologically significant as it represents the fulfillment of the promise to Joseph through the prosperity and multiplication of his lineage (Genesis 48:19). The clan's inheritance east of the Jordan, while initially a concern (Numbers 32), demonstrates God's provision and the importance of faithful participation in Israel's conquest. Furthermore, the lineage of Makir connects to the story of Zelophehad's daughters (Numbers 27, 36), which underscores God's concern for justice and inheritance rights within the covenant community, establishing principles that resonate throughout Scripture.
In ancient Israelite culture, a name like Makir, tied to the concept of selling or acquisition, may have reflected social or economic status, or perhaps commemorated a significant event at birth. As the progenitor of a major clan, his name became synonymous with a powerful family group (the Makirites) and their territorial holdings. Understanding this shifts the modern reader from seeing just an individual to recognizing a collective identity—a family-tribe that played a crucial military and territorial role in Israel's early history in the Transjordan.
Manasseh (Mĕnasheh, H4519) — The tribe to which the clan of Makir belonged. Gilead (Gil`ad, H1568) — Both a person (son/grandson of Makir) and the primary territory associated with the Makirite clan.
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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