מוּךְ
mukh
be poor
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "mukh" (H4134) means "to be poor" or "to be in a state of poverty." This word is part of the semantic domain of Commerce & Wealth, indicating its relevance to economic and financial matters. In the Bible, "mukh" is used 5 times, suggesting its importance in the text. The meaning of "mukh" is straightforward, conveying a sense of financial hardship or lack of resources. Its usage in the Bible implies that poverty is a real and significant issue for individuals and communities. The fact that "mukh" is part of the Commerce & Wealth domain highlights the economic and financial aspects of poverty, rather than its social or emotional dimensions. The significance of "mukh" lies in its portrayal of the human experience of poverty, which is a universal and timeless concern. By using this word, the biblical authors draw attention to the economic struggles of their audience, emphasizing the importance of economic justice and the need for compassion towards those in need.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences across the text
“ ‘If your brother has grown poor among you, and sells himself to you, you shall not make him to serve as a slave.
Leviticus 25:25“ ‘If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions, then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his brother has sold.
Leviticus 25:35“ ‘If your brother has become poor, and his hand can’t support himself among you, then you shall uphold him. He shall live with you like an alien and a temporary resident.
Leviticus 25:47“ ‘If an alien or temporary resident with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner living among you, or to a member of the stranger’s family,
Leviticus 27:8But if he is poorer than your valuation, then he shall be set before the priest, and the priest shall assign a value to him. The priest shall assign a value according to his ability to pay.