Lexical Summary miqqach: Purchase, acquisition, gain Original Word: מִקָּח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance taking From laqach; reception -- taking. see HEBREW laqach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom laqach Definition a taking, receiving NASB Translation taking (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִקָּח noun [masculine] a taking, receiving; — construct מִקַּחשֹֿׁחַד2Chronicles 19:7 a taking of a bribe. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope מִקָּח (miqqach) describes the “taking” or “acceptance” of something received. In its single canonical appearance it is paired with שֹׁחַד (“bribe”), forming the expression “taking of a bribe.” The word therefore carries an inherently forensic and moral sense, focusing on the act of receiving an illicit payment rather than on the payment itself. Canonical Occurrence 2 Chronicles 19:7 records King Jehoshaphat’s charge to newly appointed judges: “for there is no injustice or partiality or bribe-taking with the LORD our God”. The term stands at the climactic end of a triad—“injustice…partiality…bribe-taking”—underscoring its seriousness and the certainty of divine opposition. Semantic Nuances 1. Active reception: מִקָּח emphasizes the act of accepting rather than the object accepted. Covenant Justice and the Prohibition of Bribery Bribes pervert judgment by favoring the wealthy or influential over the vulnerable. Scripture repeatedly condemns such practice as antithetical to the character of God, “who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes” (Deuteronomy 10:17). מִקָּח therefore becomes a litmus test for covenant fidelity: the righteous judge refuses even the first step of “taking.” Historical Context within the Reign of Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat’s judicial reforms (2 Chronicles 19:4-11) followed a military alliance that nearly cost him his life (2 Chronicles 18). Determined to restore covenant faithfulness, the king appointed judges “city by city” and warned them that Yahweh Himself would oversee their proceedings. In this milieu, מִקָּח signals a reform aimed at rebuilding national integrity after the moral compromise of alliance with Ahab. Relation to Broader Biblical Theology 1. Holiness: God’s own incorruptibility is set forth as the standard for human judges (Leviticus 19:15). Practical Implications for Ministry and Christian Ethics • Church leadership must guard against all forms of favoritism (James 2:1-4) and financial impropriety (1 Timothy 3:3). Christological and Eschatological Reflections Jesus Christ, the righteous Judge (John 5:22), embodies the antithesis of מִקָּח. At His bar there will be “no injustice,” “no partiality,” and certainly no “bribe-taking.” Final judgment will vindicate every victim of corruption and punish all unrepentant perpetrators (Revelation 20:11-15). Summary Though מִקָּח appears only once, its theological weight is substantial. It crystallizes the biblical demand for incorruptible justice, reflects the character of God, and challenges every generation to uphold righteousness in both public and private spheres. Forms and Transliterations וּמִקַּח־ ומקח־ ū·miq·qaḥ- umikkach ūmiqqaḥ-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 19:7 HEB: וּמַשֹּׂ֥א פָנִ֖ים וּמִקַּח־ שֹֽׁחַד׃ NAS: or partiality or the taking of a bribe. KJV: of persons, nor taking of gifts. INT: respect of persons the taking of a bribe 1 Occurrence |
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