Lexical Summary makkar: Merchandise, wares, goods Original Word: מַכָּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance acquaintance From nakar; an acquaintance -- acquaintance. see HEBREW nakar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nakar Definition acquaintance, friend NASB Translation acquaintance (1), acquaintances (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מַכָּר] noun masculine acquaintance, friend (dubious, compare Benzon the passage); — suffix מַכָּרוֺ 2 Kings 12:6; plural suffix מַכָּרֵיכֶם v.2 Kings 12:8. II. נכר (√ of following, possibly = I. נכר, whence the foreign, strange, as that which is intently regarded, so Thes, but precarious; compare Assyrian nakâru, rebel, Pa`el change, nakiru, and nakaru, enemy, nukurtu, enmity, etc.; ** Topical Lexicon Meaning and Biblical Context מַכָּר refers to the “price of a sale” or “proceeds from selling,” the sum received when something already dedicated to the LORD was converted into money. Though the noun appears only twice—both in the narrative of Joash’s temple-repair program (2 Kings 12:5, 7)—the idea behind it reaches back to Mosaic legislation where vows and dedicated items could be redeemed for silver (Leviticus 27:14–25). Thus מַכָּר is not ordinary commercial gain; it is money that becomes holy because it originated in property first set apart for God. Occurrences in 2 Kings 12 When King Joash sought to restore the dilapidated temple, he ordered the priests to gather three revenue streams: The term מַכָּר lies behind the phrase translated “money from vows,” highlighting that these funds could include the redemption price of dedicated persons, animals, or property that had been sold. Later, when the priests proved negligent, Joash commanded: “You must not take any more money from your constituency; instead, give it up for the repair of the house” (2 Kings 12:7). The mention of מַכָּר again underlines that such sale proceeds were to be transferred in full to the restoration fund. Relationship to Levitical Valuations Leviticus 27 regulates how vowed items could be redeemed: When these regulations were followed, the resulting silver constituted מַכָּר. By invoking the term, 2 Kings 12 roots Joash’s policy firmly in earlier Torah practice, showing continuity between monarchy and Sinai law. Theological Insights 1. Holiness extended to money. Once dedicated, even its sale price remained “most holy to the LORD” (Leviticus 27:28). Practical Ministry Application • Churches that undertake building or repair projects can emulate Joash’s model by combining regular assessments, voluntary gifts, and dedicated funds while maintaining clear oversight. Summary מַכָּר captures the sanctified “sale price” of vowed items. Though a small word with only two attestations, it ties together Levitical law, monarchic reform, and enduring principles of faithful stewardship, reminding God’s people that what is pledged to Him—even when converted to cash—remains His alone. Forms and Transliterations מַכָּֽרֵיכֶ֔ם מַכָּר֑וֹ מכרו מכריכם mak·kā·rê·ḵem mak·kā·rōw makkareiChem makkārêḵem makkaRo makkārōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 12:5 HEB: אִ֖ישׁ מֵאֵ֣ת מַכָּר֑וֹ וְהֵ֗ם יְחַזְּקוּ֙ NAS: it for themselves, each from his acquaintance; and they shall repair KJV: [it] to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair INT: the priests each his acquaintance and they shall repair 2 Kings 12:7 2 Occurrences |
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be ignorant of, Qor 11:73; II. change, alter, so as not to be known, disguise Qor 27:41; IV=I, also deny, Qor 16:85 repudiate. Arabic 
in sense be bad, evil; II. change, alter a thing; Sabean נכר II. reject, injure, etc., נכרם injury SabDenkm76 CISiv. 81. 9; 29. 5; Minaean נכר alter HomSüdarab. Chrest. 128; Syriac 
reject, 
alienus, etc.; **
reject is rare (twice), and PS properly 
alienavit each time. ᵑ7 נוּכְרַי strange, foreign).