Lexical Summary mechetsah: Half, middle, division Original Word: מֶחֱצָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance half From chatsah; a halving -- half. see HEBREW chatsah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chatsah Definition half NASB Translation half (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶחֱצָה noun feminine half, of spoils; — absolute מֶחֱצָה Numbers 31:36; construct מֶחֱצַת Numbers 31:43 (both P). Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope מֶחֱצָה (mechetzah) denotes “half,” the precise midpoint of a whole. Unlike related Hebrew terms that may carry metaphorical shades, מֶחֱצָה is strictly quantitative, underscoring exact division. Biblical Setting The word appears twice, both in the record of Israel’s victory over Midian (Numbers 31). Moses, acting on divine instruction, orders that the plunder be halved—one portion for the warriors, the other for the congregation (Numbers 31:26-47). Historical Background In Ancient Near Eastern culture victorious armies commonly claimed spoils outright; Israel’s halving of the plunder is striking. The practice assumed that the battle—and its outcome—belonged to the LORD (Proverbs 21:31). Therefore the booty is distributed not by the strongest but by divine ordinance. By further requiring a tithe-like tribute from each half (Numbers 31:28-30, 41-47), the LORD embeds worship and priestly support into the mechanics of war. Theological Themes 1. Divine Ownership and Justice. Halving the spoils affirms that the LORD is “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:22). Warriors, though risking their lives, are stewards rather than proprietors. Canonical Resonance • Half-shekel atonement money (Exodus 30:13-16) parallels the idea that each Israelite owes an equal price for redemption, rich and poor alike. Christological and Eschatological Trajectory While מֶחֱצָה itself is quantitative, its narrative context anticipates the Gospel pattern: victory achieved by the Representative Warrior (Christ) results in equitable distribution of spoils to His people (Ephesians 4:8; Romans 8:17). The tribute given to the priest mirrors Christ, our High Priest, receiving honor from the winnings of His own conquest over sin and death. Ministry Applications • Stewardship: Leaders should handle resources as trustees of divine property, modeling transparency and fairness. Summary מֶחֱצָה illuminates a moment when Israel, at the LORD’s command, balanced martial achievement with communal responsibility and priestly devotion. The term’s plain meaning—“half”—becomes a vehicle for profound theological affirmations: God’s justice, the equality of His people, and the ongoing pattern of victory, sharing, and worship that reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַֽמֶּחֱצָ֔ה המחצה מֶחֱצַ֥ת מחצת ham·me·ḥĕ·ṣāh hammecheTzah hammeḥĕṣāh me·ḥĕ·ṣaṯ mecheTzat meḥĕṣaṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 31:36 HEB: וַתְּהִי֙ הַֽמֶּחֱצָ֔ה חֵ֕לֶק הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים NAS: The half, the portion KJV: And the half, [which was] the portion INT: become and the half the portion out Numbers 31:43 2 Occurrences |
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