4663. Miphqad

Lexical Summary

Miphqad: Muster, appointment, inspection

Original Word: מִפְקָד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: Miphqad
Pronunciation: mif-KAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (mif-kawd')
KJV: Miphkad
NASB: inspection
Word Origin: [the same as H4662 (מִפקָד - appointed place)]

1. assignment
2. Miphkad, the name of a gate in Jerusalem

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Miphkad

The same as miphqad; assignment; Miphkad, the name of a gate in Jerusalem -- Miphkad.

see HEBREW miphqad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from miphqad
Definition
"appointed place," a gate in Jer.
NASB Translation
inspection (1).

Topical Lexicon

Context within Nehemiah’s Wall Reconstruction

“Next to him, Malchijah son of the goldsmith repaired the wall as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner.” (Nehemiah 3:31)

The lone occurrence of מִפְקָד (mipqad) designates the “Inspection Gate” situated on Jerusalem’s rebuilt wall. Its strategic placement “opposite… the room above the corner” indicates both military vigilance and civic order as Nehemiah organized the restored city after the exile.

Historical Function of the Gate

1. Muster Point for Troops – In ancient Near Eastern cities, a gate of “inspection” served as the assembly site where soldiers were reviewed, counted, and assigned. The root idea of פקד (paqad) includes “to attend to, muster, appoint,” aligning the gate with oversight of defenses.
2. Civic Registry – Scholars note that Persian-era cities often kept tax and census records at such gates. Merchants and temple servants living nearby (Nehemiah 3:31) underscore its administrative importance.
3. Ritual Purity Checks – Proximity to the temple precinct suggests that Levites could verify ritual fitness of persons or animals entering sacred space, echoing Ezekiel 44:9’s requirement for screened entry.

Theological Themes

• Accountability before God – As soldiers stood inspection, so Israel stood under divine scrutiny. The gate thus foreshadows ultimate judgment where “each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).
• Covenant Order – Rebuilding the Inspection Gate signaled restored order following exile discipline. God’s covenant faithfulness is mirrored in a people once again numbered, organized, and protected within His city.
• Vocation and Worship – The adjacency of craftsmen, merchants, and temple servants shows every calling gathered under the watchful eye of the Lord, uniting sacred and secular service (Colossians 3:17).

Ministry Applications

• Leadership Oversight – Church elders are called to “keep watch over your souls” (Hebrews 13:17). Mipqad reminds leaders to maintain clear points of assessment for doctrine, discipline, and pastoral care.
• Spiritual Self-Examination – Believers regularly “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). The Inspection Gate encourages habits of confession, accountability partnerships, and communion preparation.
• Community Organization – Nehemiah’s enumerated workforce models cooperative ministry. Modern congregations can mirror this by assigning clear roles, celebrating diverse gifts, and ensuring transparent stewardship.

Canonical Significance

Though appearing once, מִפְקָד integrates with the wider biblical motif of divine visitation and numbering (Numbers 1:45-46; Psalm 147:4). Its placement in a restoration narrative points forward to the perfected city where “nothing unclean will ever enter it” (Revelation 21:27), and where God’s redeemed stand inspected, counted, and eternally secure.

Forms and Transliterations

הַמִּפְקָ֔ד המפקד ham·mip̄·qāḏ hammifKad hammip̄qāḏ

Englishman's Concordance

Nehemiah 3:31
HEB: נֶ֚גֶד שַׁ֣עַר הַמִּפְקָ֔ד וְעַ֖ד עֲלִיַּ֥ת
NAS: in front of the Inspection Gate
KJV: over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up
INT: front Gate of the Inspection far as the upper

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4663
1 Occurrence

ham·mip̄·qāḏ — 1 Occ.