Lexical Summary maqqachah: Merchandise, trade, acquisition Original Word: מַקָּחָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ware From laqach; something received, i.e. Merchandise (purchased) -- ware. see HEBREW laqach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom laqach Definition ware (an article of merchandise) NASB Translation wares (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִקָּחָה] noun feminine ware (properly thing received that is, in trade; compare לָקַח in Late Hebrew); only plural הַמִּקָּחוֺת Nehemiah 10:32 (their) wares. Topical Lexicon 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 The noun מַקָּחָה appears once, in Nehemiah 10:31, where the returned exiles pledge, “When the peoples of the land bring merchandise or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or any holy day” (Berean Standard Bible). The term designates “merchandise” or “wares,” summarizing all goods that could tempt Israel to violate the Sabbath. By singling out מַקָּחָה, the covenant community explicitly confronts the economic pull of surrounding nations and re-affirms that commerce must bow to holiness. 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 Nehemiah’s reforms occur in the mid–fifth century B.C. under Persian rule. Judean life was rebuilding around the completed temple and newly restored walls, yet economic pressures from Gentile neighbors were intense (Nehemiah 5:1-5; 13:15-22). “Merchandise” arriving on the gates of Jerusalem presented both livelihood and threat. By naming מַקָּחָה in the covenant document, the leaders bind themselves publicly to principles that had been neglected before the exile (Jeremiah 17:21-27). 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 1. Divine Ownership: Exodus 20:8-11 roots Sabbath rest in God’s creative sovereignty; therefore, all exchange of מַקָּחָה must yield to His rhythm of rest. 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Mַקָּחָה highlights the biblical tension between legitimate commerce and covetous exploitation. The prophets repeatedly denounce merchants who manipulate measures or disregard sacred times (Amos 8:4-6; Micah 6:10-12). Nehemiah’s generation addresses this by covenant vow rather than mere regulation, demonstrating that economic righteousness flows from worship. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲-𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 While the New Testament does not reuse the Hebrew term, it echoes its implications: 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 1. Discipleship and Rest: Ministry leaders can teach that ordering schedules around worship proclaims dependence on God above profit. 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 Though rare, מַקָּחָה functions as a strategic term that crystallizes Israel’s resolve to let holiness govern commerce. It reminds every generation that goods are gifts, not gods, and that true prosperity flows from honoring the Lord of the Sabbath in every market and ministry endeavor. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּקָּח֨וֹת המקחות ham·maq·qā·ḥō·wṯ hammakkaChot hammaqqāḥōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 10:31 HEB: הַֽמְבִיאִים֩ אֶת־ הַמַּקָּח֨וֹת וְכָל־ שֶׁ֜בֶר NAS: who bring wares or any KJV: bring ware or any victuals INT: of the land bring wares any grain 1 Occurrence |
    |