Lexical Summary miphqad: Muster, appointment, numbering, inspection Original Word: מִפְקָד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance appointed place, commandment, number From paqad; an appointment, i.e. Mandate; concretely, a designated spot; specifically, a census -- appointed place, commandment, number. see HEBREW paqad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom paqad Definition a muster, appointment, appointed place NASB Translation appointed place (1), appointment (1), census (1), registration (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִפְקָד noun [masculine] muster, appointment, appointed place; — absolute ׳מ only in ׳שַׁעַר הַמּ Nehemiah 3:31, see שַׁעַר; construct ׃מִפְקַד 1 muster of people 2 Samuel 24:9 = 1 Chronicles 21:5. 2 appointment of (by) Hezekiah 2 Chronicles 31:13. 3 appointed place of (in) temple Ezekiel 43:21 (Krae watch, guardhouse; Köii. 1, 93 conjecture מוֺקֵד). Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope מִפְקָד (mifqad) gathers several related ideas—muster, census, appointment, oversight, and designated place. Each occurrence involves ordered accountability within the covenant community, whether military, administrative, or cultic. Occurrences and Contexts 1. David’s Census (2 Samuel 24:9; 1 Chronicles 21:5) In both narratives Joab presents “the total number (mifqad) of the troops” to David. The term frames the census not merely as raw data but as an official register, a conscious exercise of royal authority. Because David’s motivation lacked divine sanction, the same act of enumeration that should have affirmed God’s kingship instead provoked judgment. Thus mifqad here underscores the moral weight attached to leadership decisions: counting God’s people is legitimate only when submitted to God’s purposes. 2. Hezekiah’s Administrative Reforms (2 Chronicles 31:13) During the reorganization of temple finances, certain Levites were placed “in charge by the appointment (mifqad) of King Hezekiah.” The word highlights an office of trust. Unlike David’s ill-fated numbering, Hezekiah’s mifqad is portrayed positively, aligning royal authority with covenant faithfulness and resulting in abundant provision for priestly ministry (2 Chronicles 31:10-12). 3. Ezekiel’s Altar Vision (Ezekiel 43:21) After the inaugural sin offering, the carcass is burned “in the appointed (mifqad) part of the temple area outside the sanctuary.” Here mifqad identifies a sacred zone set apart for purification. The visionary temple thus mirrors the heavenly order: every element, down to the disposal site of a sacrifice, stands under divine appointment. Theological Motifs • Divine Sovereignty and Human Accountability Whether troops, treasuries, or temple grounds, mifqad reminds readers that enumeration and appointment must serve God’s rule. The Lord alone “numbers the stars” (Psalm 147:4); earthly leaders act properly only when their counting reflects His will. • Holiness Through Order In Ezekiel the appointed place safeguards sanctity by preventing contamination of the inner court. Likewise, orderly administration under Hezekiah secures equitable distribution to priests and Levites. Mifqad therefore advances holiness by structuring community life around God-given boundaries. • Covenant Identity To be counted is to belong. The censuses under Moses (Numbers 1:2) and David illustrate that Israel’s corporate identity is both spiritual and statistical. Mifqad signals that every individual matters within the larger redemptive plan, prefiguring the “number of the redeemed” kept in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27). Ministry Implications • Stewardship of People and Resources Churches and ministries may conduct membership rolls, budgets, and facility plans, but the spirit of mifqad requires that such records be kept prayerfully, seeking God’s directive rather than human pride or security. • Accountable Leadership Leaders are appointed, not self-installed. Just as Levites served “by the appointment of the king,” elders and deacons serve under Christ’s headship (1 Peter 5:1-4), accountable for those “allotted to [their] charge.” • Sacred Spaces and Practices Ezekiel’s mifqad spot encourages careful thought about where and how sacred acts occur—whether baptismal preparation rooms or benevolence funds reserved for mercy ministry. Physical arrangements can either reflect or obscure the holiness of God. Christological Fulfillment Jesus gathers His disciples, appoints the Twelve, and promises that even the hairs of their head are numbered (Matthew 10:30). In Him every mifqad finds completion: the perfect census of the saints, the flawless administration of grace, and the eternally appointed place prepared for His people (John 14:2-3). Forms and Transliterations בְּמִפְקַ֣ד בְּמִפְקַד֙ במפקד מִפְקַד־ מפקד־ bə·mip̄·qaḏ bemifKad bəmip̄qaḏ mifkad mip̄·qaḏ- mip̄qaḏ-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 24:9 HEB: אֶת־ מִסְפַּ֥ר מִפְקַד־ הָעָ֖ם אֶל־ NAS: the number of the registration of the people KJV: the sum of the number of the people INT: and Joab the number of the registration of the people to 1 Chronicles 21:5 2 Chronicles 31:13 Ezekiel 43:21 4 Occurrences |
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