מִכְסָה
an enumeration; by implication, a valuation
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִכְסָה refers to an assessed number or valuation, specifically in the context of a census or tax. In Exodus 12:4, it describes the calculation of how many people are to share a Passover lamb, based on the number of individuals in a household. In Leviticus 27:23, it denotes the priest's official valuation of a field dedicated to the Lord, determining its monetary worth for redemption purposes. Thus, the word carries the dual sense of a counted number and an appraised value, both tied to formal assessment.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in legal/ritual contexts within the Pentateuch. In Exodus 12:4, it is used for the practical, communal calculation for the Passover meal. In Leviticus 27:23, it is used in the context of sanctuary law, referring to the priest's valuation of dedicated property. The usage consistently involves an official count or appraisal for a sacred or covenantal purpose.
Etymology
מִכְסָה (mikçâh) is the feminine form of the noun מֶכֶס (mekec, H4371), which means 'computation' or 'tax.' It derives from the root כָּסָה (kâsâh), meaning 'to cover,' suggesting the idea of something being accounted for or included in a total. The semantic development moved from 'covering' to 'reckoning' or 'enumerating.'
Semantic Range
This word highlights God's concern for order, equity, and participation within the covenant community. The valuation in Exodus 12:4 ensures every person can partake in the Passover, a symbol of redemption. In Leviticus 27:23, the priestly assessment underscores that what is dedicated to God has a holy and objective worth. Understanding this term enriches the reading of these texts by showing how divine instruction incorporates practical administration for spiritual purposes.
In ancient Israel, censuses and valuations were not merely administrative but had religious significance, often relating to tribal identity, military service, or sanctuary offerings. The concept of a 'mikçâh' reflects a society where community rituals (like Passover) and vows to the sanctuary were governed by specific, divinely ordained calculations to maintain fairness and holiness.
מִסְפָּר (mispar, H4557) — a general term for 'number' or 'count,' without the specific connotation of an assessed valuation. עֶרְכְּךָ (ʿerek, H6187) — specifically refers to a fixed valuation or price, as in the Levitical valuation scales for persons or animals.
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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