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H4736 · Hebrew · Old Testament
מִקְנָה
Miqnah
Noun, feminine
Purchase / Acquisition / Bought Property

Definition

The Hebrew noun miqnah (מִקְנָה) refers to something purchased, acquired, or bought — particularly a possession obtained through financial transaction. It appears about 15 times in the Old Testament, most prominently in the context of land redemption, slave purchases, and the laws governing bought property.

Usage & Theological Significance

The theology of miqnah is inseparable from the theme of redemption. In Leviticus and Ruth, the right of redemption (geullah) often involves a miqnah — a purchase that restores what was lost. Jeremiah dramatically purchased (qanah) a field as a sign that God would restore Israel's fortunes (Jeremiah 32), making a legal miqnah into a prophetic act. Every purchased possession in Israel was ultimately a stewardship — the land belonged to God. This foreshadows the New Testament theme of redemption: believers are 'bought with a price' (1 Corinthians 6:20), a divine miqnah that establishes God's ownership and our belonging.

Key Bible Verses

Leviticus 25:51 If many years remain, they must pay for their redemption a larger share of the price paid for them.
Jeremiah 32:11 I took the deed of purchase — the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy.
Ruth 4:10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.
Leviticus 22:11 But if a priest buys a slave with money, or if slaves are born in his household, they may eat his food.
Genesis 17:12 Every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner.

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External Resources

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