Lexical Summary moqedah: Hearth, fire-place Original Word: מוֹקְדָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burning Feminine of mowqed; fuel -- burning. see HEBREW mowqed NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of moqed Definition hearth NASB Translation hearth (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מוֺקְדָה noun feminine hearth ( = place of burning), only of altar-hearth, the plate or top of altar, on which burnt-offering was laid and consumed, עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ׳הִוא הָעוֺלָה עַל מ Leviticus 6:2 (followed by וְאֵשׁ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ תּוּקַד בּוֺ). יָקְדְעָם proper name, of a location a city of Judah Joshua 15:56; site unknown. ᵐ5 Ιαρεικαμ, A Ιεκδααμ, ᵐ5L Ιεκνααμ. יקה (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Meaning and SettingMoqdah designates the hearth or continually burning fire on the altar of burnt offering. Its single appearance in Leviticus 6:9 situates it within the instructions for the עֹלָה (ʿolah), the whole-burnt offering, which “shall remain on the hearth on the altar all night until morning, and the fire on the altar must be kept burning on it” (Leviticus 6:9). The term therefore highlights not merely a location but a divinely mandated state of uninterrupted flame. Literary Context in Leviticus Leviticus 6:8-13 (Hebrew 6:1-6) establishes three related commands: 1. The burnt offering must stay on the moqdah all night (6:9). The moqdah thus lies at the heart of the תָּמִיד (tamid), the regular daily burnt offering (compare Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3-8). The passage forms a bridge between the initial five sacrifices (Leviticus 1–5) and priestly duties (Leviticus 6–7), underscoring that priestly ministry is impossible apart from the perpetual altar fire. Historical Development • Tabernacle Period: According to tradition preserved in later rabbinic sources (e.g., Mishnah Tamid 2:1), the fire kindled by God at inauguration (Leviticus 9:24) was never permitted to expire, symbolizing divine presence in Israel’s migratory sanctuary. • First Temple Era: At Solomon’s dedication, “fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices” (2 Chronicles 7:1), renewing the pattern of a God-initiated moqdah. Priests maintained the altar flame through successive generations (2 Chronicles 13:11). • Second Temple and Beyond: Although biblical narrative is silent, intertestamental writings and Josephus imply that the perpetual fire practice continued until the Temple’s destruction in AD 70, functioning as a visible sign of covenant continuity. Theological Significance 1. Continual Atonement. The unceasing moqdah dramatized round-the-clock access to substitutionary sacrifice. Leviticus places this symbol of constant atonement before detailing sin and guilt offerings, foreshadowing the ever-present sufficiency found ultimately in the once-for-all offering of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:14). 2. Divine Presence and Acceptance. Fire descending from heaven (Leviticus 9:24; 1 Kings 18:38) authenticated God’s approval. The maintained altar hearth testified that communion between a holy God and a redeemed people was sustained, not sporadic. 3. Priestly Vigilance. The charge “it must not go out” required disciplined service (Leviticus 6:12). The priest, clothed in holy garments, daily removed ashes—an image of ongoing purification—and placed fresh wood, modeling persevering obedience for all who minister before God (compare 1 Peter 2:5). 4. Typology of Christ’s Intercession. Just as the moqdah burned unceasingly, so “He always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25). The altar hearth becomes a shadow of the risen Lord’s perpetual priesthood. Implications for Worship and Ministry Today • Continuous Devotion. Believers are urged to “be fervent in spirit” (Romans 12:11) and to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6), echoing the Old Testament call to keep the fire burning. • Corporate Vigilance. Congregational worship, prayer, and proclamation should reflect the constancy of the moqdah, avoiding spiritual lethargy (Revelation 3:15-16). • Living Sacrifice. The altar hearth that consumed the entire animal prefigures the New Testament exhortation: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1). A life wholly offered mirrors the complete consumption of the burnt offering upon the moqdah. • Gospel Assurance. The perpetual fire reminds the church that the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice is not intermittent. As the altar flame never went out, so the merit of the cross is continually operative for all who draw near by faith (Hebrews 9:24-28). Summary Moqdah embodies the principle of uninterrupted, God-initiated fellowship through sacrifice. Rooted in Leviticus 6:9, the hearth’s ceaseless fire shaped Israel’s worship, pointed forward to the everlasting priesthood of Jesus Christ, and sets before every generation the call to sustained, wholehearted devotion. Forms and Transliterations מוֹקְדָ֨ה מוקדה mō·wq·ḏāh mokDah mōwqḏāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 6:9 HEB: הָעֹלָ֡ה עַל֩ מוֹקְדָ֨ה עַל־ הַמִּזְבֵּ֤חַ NAS: itself [shall remain] on the hearth on the altar KJV: It [is] the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar INT: offering on the hearth on the altar 1 Occurrence |
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preserve (from evil, or fear); VIII. be pious, careful of one's religious duties (Lane3059)).