מִקְנֵיָהוּ
𐤌𐤒𐤍𐤉𐤄𐤅
Miqeneyahu
H4737 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'Yahweh has acquired (as possession)' or 'property of Yahweh.' Refers specifically to one or more individuals in Israelite genealogical records. The name expresses the idea of belonging to or being acquired by the Israelite deity, Yahweh. Used only as a proper noun.
Semantic Range
personal name based on 'Yahweh has acquired' or 'possession of Yahweh'; specific Israelites in genealogical/liturgical records; not used outside of proper noun context
Root / Etymology
A compound formed from מִקְנֶה (miqneh, 'possession, property, livestock') and the theophoric suffix יָהּ (Yah, a short form of the divine name Yahweh), thus literally 'possession of Yahweh.' The base root of מִקְנֶה is קנה (q-n-h), meaning 'to acquire, buy, possess.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name מִקְנֵיָהוּ is attested in genealogical lists within the Hebrew Bible—notably among the Levitical singers in the time of King David (see 1 Chronicles 15:18, 15:21). The use of the theophoric suffix -יהו points to prevalence in the monarchic period, particularly after the full establishment of Yahweh worship in Judah/Israel. English translations often render this name as 'Mikneiah' or 'Mikneiah-u.' It is important to note that while Strong's translates the name as 'possession of Jah' and elsewhere as 'Miknejah, an Israelite,' the name is functionally a typical theophoric personal name reflecting belonging to the deity, not an office or common noun. Later translations may equate 'Jah' with 'Jehovah' or 'the LORD,' but this does not reflect the more nuanced original meaning. The same pattern of name formation appears in other personal names of the period. There is no shift in meaning over time for this term, as it exclusively occurs as a proper name in the biblical record.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מִקְנֶה and יָהּ; possession of Jah; Miknejah, an Israelite; Mikneiah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קנה (q-n-h) — to acquire, to buy, to possess
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4735 | מִקְנֶה | in the acquired livestock |
| H4736 | מִקְנָה | the acquisition |
| H7014 | קַיִן | the Acquired-one |
| H7066 | קְנָא | you will buy |
| H7069 | קָנָה | I will acquire |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4737-01 |
וּ/מִקְנֵיָ֨הוּ | umiqeneyahu | HC/Np |
and Mikneiah | and Yahweh-has-acquired | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4737-01 |
1 Chronicles 15:18 | וּ/מִקְנֵיָ֨הוּ | umiqeneyahu | HC/Np |
and Mikneiah | and Yahweh-has-acquired |
H4737-01 |
1 Chronicles 15:21 | וּ/מִקְנֵיָ֨הוּ֙ | umiqeneyahu | HC/Np |
and Mikneiah | and Yahweh-has-acquired |