Lexical Summary meker: Sale, selling, merchandise Original Word: מֶכֶר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pay, price, ware From makar; merchandise; also value -- pay, price, ware. see HEBREW makar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom makar Definition merchandise, value NASB Translation merchandise (1), price (1), worth (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶ֫כֶר noun masculineProverbs 31:10 merchandise, value; — ׳מ absolute Nehemiah 13:16; מִכְרָהּ Proverbs 31:10; מִכְרָם Numbers 20:19; probably also מִמְכָּרָיו (read מִמְּכָרָיו) Deuteronomy 18:8, see Di Dr; — 1 merchandise Nehemiah 13:16; value, price, of water Numbers 20:19 (JE), compare Deuteronomy 18:8 (see above); of capable woman Proverbs 31:10. Topical Lexicon Concept and Scope מֶכֶר denotes the idea of “price, value, or the act of selling.” Scripture employs the noun in settings that range from formal trade to the appraisal of personal worth. Though only three passages use the term, together they portray a sweeping biblical theology of commerce, ethical exchange, and ultimate worth. Occurrences and Narrative Settings • Numbers 20:19 records Israel’s pledge to Edom: “If we or our livestock drink your water, we will pay its price”. Here מֶכֶר expresses just remuneration for resources consumed, affirming the covenant people’s concern to avoid exploitation even during a wilderness march. Historical and Cultural Background In the ancient Near East, city gates, trade caravans, and seasonal markets formed the backbone of commerce. Israel’s law regulated this sphere with commands to maintain accurate weights, abstain from Sabbath trade, and provide redemption clauses for land and persons. מֶכֶר, therefore, is more than a commercial term; it embodies the covenant expectation that all transactions reflect God’s justice and kindness. Ethical and Theological Themes 1. Integrity in Exchange. Numbers 20 demonstrates that God’s people must honor the property of outsiders, paying an agreed price even when military might could compel free passage. Ministry and Practical Application • Business Ethics: Christian entrepreneurs and employees are called to transparent pricing, timely payment, and refusal to exploit legal loopholes—practices rooted in the attitude expressed by מֶכֶר in Numbers 20. Related Biblical Motifs The notion of “price” reaches its climax in the doctrine of redemption. The Mosaic law speaks of the “price of redemption” for firstborn sons (Exodus 13:13), and the prophets foresee a coming Servant who will give Himself as the ultimate ransom. The New Testament proclaims, “You were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20), revealing that the greater מֶכֶר is the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). Every fair transaction and every refusal to commercialize the holy prefigure the redemptive purchase that secures believers for eternal inheritance. Summary מֶכֶר weaves through Scripture as a concise witness to God’s concern for just commerce, proper worship, and the immeasurable worth of covenant faithfulness. Its three appearances remind readers that the marketplace, the Sabbath, and the home all belong under the lordship of the One who ultimately set His own “price” to redeem the world. Forms and Transliterations מִכְרָ֑ם מִכְרָֽהּ׃ מֶ֑כֶר מכר מכרה׃ מכרם me·ḵer Mecher meḵer michRah michRam miḵ·rāh miḵ·rām miḵrāh miḵrāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 20:19 HEB: וּמִקְנַ֔י וְנָתַתִּ֖י מִכְרָ֑ם רַ֥ק אֵין־ NAS: then I will pay its price. Let me only INT: livestock will pay price but without Nehemiah 13:16 Proverbs 31:10 3 Occurrences |
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