מִכְמָס
𐤌𐤊𐤌𐤎
Mikhemas
H4363 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun designating a specific settlement in the central hill country north of Jerusalem during the First Temple period, Mikmas/Mikmash; attested as a notable town in Israelite territory, especially in narratives relating to conflict with the Philistines. The semantic range is limited to the designation of this geographical location; the name itself may derive etymologically from a root meaning 'to hide' or 'hidden,' but in usage, it functions solely as a place name.
Semantic Range
proper place name; town north of Jerusalem in Benjaminite territory; site of military significance in Saul's era; settlement in post-exilic period
Root / Etymology
From the root כָּמַס (k-m-s), meaning 'to store, hide, conceal.' The place name מִכְמָס (Mikmas/Mikmash) is likely derived as a toponym formed from this root, possibly evoking the idea of 'concealment'—perhaps a reference to a topographical feature or the town’s ancient function, but no direct evidence survives for this.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Mikmas (also spelled Mikmash) appears as a prominent town in Benjamin's territory, notably in narratives such as Saul's encounter with the Philistines (1 Samuel 13–14) and among the returning exiles (Ezra 2:27; Nehemiah 11:31). Spelling variants in the Hebrew Bible reflect orthographic variations rather than distinct places. The site's location was strategic, guarding passes from the east into the hill country. Later translations sometimes render the name with differing vowels or in Greek (Machmas in the Septuagint). The meaning 'hidden' is etymological and not realized in the text's narrative; English translations typically transliterate the name rather than translating its root meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Ezra 2:2 or מִכְמָשׁ; or מִכְמַשׁ; (Nehemiah 11:31), from כָּמַס; hidden; Mikmas or Mikmash, a place in Palestine; Mikmas, Mikmash.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כמס (k-m-s) — hide, conceal, store
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4363-03 |
מִכְמָֽשׂ | mikhemas | HNp |
Michmash | Mikmas | 6 |
H4363-05 |
בְ/מִכְמָ֔שׂ | vemikhemas | HR/Np |
in Michmash | in Mikmas | 2 |
H4363-04 |
מִ/מִּכְמָ֖שׂ | mimikhemas | HR/Np |
from Michmash | from Mikmas | 1 |
H4363-01 |
בְּ/מִכְמָשׂ֙ | bemikhemas | HR/Np |
in Michmash | in Mikmas | 1 |
H4363-02 |
לְ/מִכְמָ֖שׂ | lemikhemas | HR/Np |
at Michmash | to Mikmas | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4363-01 |
1 Samuel 13:2 | בְּ/מִכְמָשׂ֙ | bemikhemas | HR/Np |
in Michmash | in Mikmas |
H4363-05 |
1 Samuel 13:5 | בְ/מִכְמָ֔שׂ | vemikhemas | HR/Np |
in-Michmash | in Mikmas |
H4363-03 |
1 Samuel 13:11 | מִכְמָֽשׂ | mikhemas | HNp |
at Michmash | Mikmas |
H4363-05 |
1 Samuel 13:16 | בְ/מִכְמָֽשׂ | vemikhemas | HR/Np |
in Michmash | in Mikmas |
H4363-03 |
1 Samuel 13:23 | מִכְמָֽשׂ | mikhemas | HNp |
of Michmash | Mikmas |
H4363-03 |
1 Samuel 14:5 | מִכְמָ֑שׂ | mikhemas | HNp |
Michmash | Mikmas |
H4363-04 |
1 Samuel 14:31 | מִ/מִּכְמָ֖שׂ | mimikhemas | HR/Np |
from Michmash | from Mikmas |
H4363-02 |
Isaiah 10:28 | לְ/מִכְמָ֖שׂ | lemikhemas | HR/Np |
at Michmash | to Mikmas |
H4363-03 |
Ezra 2:27 | מִכְמָ֔ס | mikhemas | HNp |
Michmas | Mikmas |
H4363-03 |
Nehemiah 7:31 | מִכְמָ֔ס | mikhemas | HNp |
Micmash | Mikmas |