מִמְכָּר

מִמְכָּר

merchandise; abstractly, a selling

Definition

The Hebrew noun מִמְכָּר (mimkâr) primarily refers to merchandise or goods that are sold, but it also carries the abstract sense of the act or process of selling. In Leviticus 25, it specifically denotes property or land that is sold or transferred, especially within the context of the Jubilee laws (e.g., Leviticus 25:14, 25). In Deuteronomy 18:8, the word is used more generally for the proceeds or revenue from sales. Thus, the term can mean both the concrete items for sale and the abstract transaction itself.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in legal and economic contexts within the Pentateuch, appearing 10 times. Eight of its occurrences are in Leviticus 25, detailing the regulations for selling land and property, including redemption rights and Jubilee restoration (e.g., Leviticus 25:14, 25, 27-29, 33, 50). The remaining two are in Deuteronomy 18:8, referring to the sale of ancestral possessions to support Levitical priests. Its usage is consistently tied to transactions governed by Israel's covenant law.

Etymology

מִמְכָּר (mimkâr) is a noun derived from the root מָכַר (mākar, H4376), meaning 'to sell.' It is formed using the מִ- (mi-) prefix, which often indicates the place or result of an action, hence 'that which comes from selling' or 'the act of selling.' Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Aramaic, with similar meanings related to trade and commerce.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it is central to the Jubilee laws in Leviticus 25, which reflect God's ownership of the land (Leviticus 25:23) and His concern for economic justice and family inheritance. Understanding מִמְכָּר enriches reading by highlighting how property sales were temporary under the covenant, pointing to themes of redemption, restoration, and God's provision for the poor and marginalized within Israel's community. In ancient Israelite culture, land was not merely a commodity but a sacred family inheritance. A 'sale' of land was often more like a lease until the Jubilee year, when property returned to its original clan (Leviticus 25:28). This contrasts with modern absolute ownership, emphasizing community stability and preventing permanent poverty. The term's use in Deuteronomy 18:8 also reflects the support system for the priestly tribe, who had no land allotment. מֶכֶר (meker, H4378) — a rarer synonym also meaning 'wares' or 'merchandise,' but used in different contexts like Ezekiel 27:13-24. מִסְחָר (misḥār, H4627) — 'merchandise' or 'trade,' often in commercial contexts (e.g., Proverbs 31:14, Ezekiel 27:12-27).

Word Details