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מִכְסָה

𐤌𐤊𐤎𐤄

mikçâh

H4373 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כסה to cover, to conceal, to account

Definition

An assessment or reckoning of value, specifically a count or enumeration for the purposes of tribute, taxation, or valuation, usually involving goods, livestock, or individuals. The term can refer to a numerical account or to the value determined by such an account.

Semantic Range

enumeration for assessment or taxation, account, valuation, appraisal, reckoned number, assessed sum, reckoned worth

Root / Etymology

From the root כ-ס-ה (כסה), meaning 'to cover, conceal,' with the extended sense in the noun form referring to an 'assessment' or 'reckoning' deriving from the act of covering or accounting for all items in a valuation. 'מִכְסָה' is the feminine derivative of מֶכֶס (mekhes), 'tribute' or 'tax,' pointing to something counted or appraised.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מִכְסָה appears primarily in administrative or legal contexts involving census-taking, tribute, or tax assessment, notably in passages where goods or livestock are to be evaluated for societal or cultic purposes (e.g., Numbers 31:28, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41). Unlike more general words for 'number' (such as מִסְפָּר), מִכְסָה implies purpose and assessment—a calculated sum for financial or legal reckoning. Over time, while core usage remained consistent, the context could range from secular taxation to offerings designated by valuation. English translations typically render the term as 'number' or 'sum,' but these do not always capture the technical aspect of valuation or assessment.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of מֶכֶס; an enumeration; by implication, a valuation; number, worth.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כסה (k-s-h) — to cover, conceal, account, reckon

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3677 כֶּסֶא full moon
H3678 כִּסֵּא the throne
H3680 כָּסָה I will fully cover
H3681 כָּסוּי covering-of
H3682 כְּסוּת covering-of

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4373-02 מִכְסַ֣ת mikhesat HNcfsc the amount of assessment of 1
H4373-01 בְּ/מִכְסַ֣ת bemikhesat HR/Ncfsc according to the number of by assessment of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4373-01 Exodus 12:4 בְּ/מִכְסַ֣ת bemikhesat HR/Ncfsc according to the number of by assessment of
H4373-02 Leviticus 27:23 מִכְסַ֣ת mikhesat HNcfsc the amount of assessment of
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