מִכְרִי

Mikri, an Israelite

Definition

Mikri is the name of a single individual mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Chronicles 9:8. As a proper noun, it functions solely as a personal name. The name is derived from the Hebrew root for 'to sell' or 'merchant,' suggesting a possible occupational or characteristic origin for the individual or his family line. In the biblical record, Mikri is listed among the descendants of Benjamin who returned from exile and resettled in Jerusalem, indicating he was part of the post-exilic community.

Biblical Usage

The word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 9:8. It appears within a genealogical list detailing the families of the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The context is purely historical and genealogical, with no narrative or dialogical usage elsewhere in Scripture.

Etymology

The name Mikri (מִכְרִי) is a patronymic or gentilic noun derived from the root מָכַר (māḵar, H4376), which means 'to sell' or 'to give over.' It is formed using the common Hebrew suffix '-i,' which can indicate 'belonging to' or 'descended from.' Thus, the name likely means 'my salesman,' 'descendant of a merchant,' or 'belonging to Makar.' It shares this root with common words for merchandise and trade.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning related to circumstances, hopes, or parental traits. A name derived from 'to sell' might indicate a family trade in commerce or market dealings. Being listed in a post-exilic genealogy (1 Chronicles 9) signifies Mikri's family was part of the restored community in Judah, which held theological importance as the continuation of God's covenant people after judgment.

Mikri has no direct synonyms as a unique proper name. It is related etymologically to: מָכַר (māḵar, H4376) — the root verb meaning 'to sell' or 'trade.'

Word Details

Scripture References