מִכְמַן
𐤌𐤊𐤌𐤍
mikman
H4362 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place or thing that is hidden away; a store of wealth, valuables, or precious objects kept secret or concealed. Used specifically to refer to hidden treasures or secret stores, rather than general wealth or riches.
Semantic Range
hidden treasure, secret store of valuables, deposit kept out of sight, treasure (as hidden), cache, hidden store
Root / Etymology
From the root כמ״ן (כמן), which carries the sense of hiding or concealing, with the noun form מִכְמַן (mikman) denoting that which is hidden or the place of hiding. The core semantic development is from the idea of concealment or secrecy, extending to treasures or valuable stores that are kept out of sight. The form is closely related to כַּמֹּן (kammon), which may indicate concealment or a hidden thing. The precise origin and breadth of the root כמ״ן are rare and may be cognate with comparable roots in Aramaic. The overall formation points to a noun of instrument/place or result, signifying 'hidden place' or 'hidden thing.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
מִכְמַן appears in the Hebrew Bible notably in later books (e.g., Daniel 11:43), reflecting an Aramaic or late Biblical Hebrew influence. In Daniel, it refers to stores of precious metals and treasures collected by rulers, emphasizing the idea of precious things kept hidden for security or secrecy. The term differs from more common words for wealth (e.g., עֹשֶׁר, חָכוּ), by focusing on the aspect of being intentionally concealed. English translations often simply render מִכְמַן as 'treasures' or 'riches,' but the nuance is specifically about them being hidden or stored away. In post-biblical usage and Aramaic parallels, the sense of a stash or secret deposit is maintained. The term does not carry any overt religious or cultic connotation. It is primarily found in later Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic contexts rather than early Israelite narrative or poetry.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as כַּמֹּן in the sense of hiding; treasure (as hidden); treasure.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כמן (k-m-n) — hide, conceal
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3646 | כַּמֹּן | cumin plant |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4362-01 |
בְּ/מִכְמַנֵּי֙ | bemikhemaney | HR/Ncmpc |
over the treasures of | in hidden stores of | over the treasures of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4362-01 |
Daniel 11:43 | בְּ/מִכְמַנֵּי֙ | bemikhemaney | HR/Ncmpc |
over the treasures of | in hidden stores of | over the treasures of |