מַתְכֹנֶת
𐤌𐤕𐤊𐤍𐤕
mathkôneth
H4971 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A specified quantity or measurement, often indicating a prescribed or required amount of an item, substance, or ingredient. In biblical usage, מַתְכֹנֶת refers to the standard measure—whether of weight, volume, or number—typically in technical, ritual, or administrative contexts such as allocations of building materials or ingredients for mixtures.
Semantic Range
prescribed measurement, standard quantity, fixed portion, composition (of a mixture), official tally or number
Root / Etymology
From the root תָּכַן (to weigh, measure, assess). The noun מַתְכֹנֶת is a feminine nominal formation, likely indicating 'measurement,' 'proportion,' or 'prescribed amount.' The word is directly derived and does not bear a meaning beyond its sense of precise measurability or prescribed quantity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַתְכֹנֶת is a relatively rare technical term, primarily attested in priestly and administrative contexts, especially related to instructions for construction materials (such as for the Tabernacle or Temple) or preparation of sacred mixtures (e.g., incense, anointing oil). It is distinct from other measurement terms like מִדָּה (midda, general measure) or סְאִים (specific units), in that it emphasizes the fixedness or official nature of the measure or composition. Use is concentrated in texts focused on ritual, cultic, or administrative order (notably Exodus and 1 Kings), rather than in general narrative. English translations often use terms like 'measure,' 'proportion,' or 'composition,' but these may not fully convey its precise, prescriptive nuance. In no period does it carry theological or symbolic connotation beyond its technical use.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מַתְכֻנֶת; from תָּכַן in the transferred sense of measuring; proportion (in size, number or ingredients); composition, measure, state, tale.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תכן (t-k-n) — measure, weigh, assess
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8498 | תְּכוּנָה | to the established arrangement |
| H8505 | תָּכַן | the measured one |
| H8506 | תֹּכֶן | measured quantity |
| H8507 | תֹּכֶן | and Measurement-place |
| H8508 | תׇּכְנִית | measured pattern |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4971-03 |
מַתְכֻּנְתּֽ/וֹ | matekuneto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its measure | his prescribed measure | 2 |
H4971-04 |
וּ/בְ/מַ֨תְכֻּנְתּ֔/וֹ | uvematekuneto | HC/R/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
and according to its recipe | and in his prescribed measure | 1 |
H4971-01 |
בְּ/מַ֨תְכֻּנְתָּ֔/הּ | bematekunetah | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3fs |
according to its recipe | by her prescribed measure | 1 |
H4971-02 |
מַתְכֹּ֨נֶת | matekonet | HNcfsc |
the quota of | prescribed measure of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4971-02 |
Exodus 5:8 | מַתְכֹּ֨נֶת | matekonet | HNcfsc |
the quota of | prescribed measure of |
H4971-04 |
Exodus 30:32 | וּ/בְ/מַ֨תְכֻּנְתּ֔/וֹ | uvematekuneto | HC/R/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
and according to its recipe | and in his prescribed measure |
H4971-01 |
Exodus 30:37 | בְּ/מַ֨תְכֻּנְתָּ֔/הּ | bematekunetah | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3fs |
according to its recipe | by her prescribed measure |
H4971-03 |
Ezekiel 45:11 | מַתְכֻּנְתּֽ/וֹ | matekuneto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its measure | his prescribed measure |
H4971-03 |
2 Chronicles 24:13 | מַתְכֻּנְתּ֖/וֹ | matekuneto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its specifications | his prescribed measure |