Original Word: מִכְמְתָת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Mikmthath
Pronunciation: mik-meh-thath'
Phonetic Spelling: (mik-meth-awth')
KJV: Michmethath
NASB: Michmethath
Word Origin: [apparently from an unused root meaning to hide]

1. concealment
2. Mikmethath, a place in Israel

Michmethath

Apparently from an unused root meaning to hide; concealment; Mikmethath, a place in Palestine -- Michmethath.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a place in N.E. Ephraim
NASB Translation
Michmethath (2).

מִכְמְתָת proper name, of a location always ׳הַמּ, Joshua 16:6 (ᵐ5 Ικασμων, ᵐ5^L εις Αχθωθ, A Μαχθωθ), Joshua 17:7 (מֵאָשֵׁר ׳הַמּ; ᵐ5 Δηλαναθ, A ἀπὸ Ασερ Μαχθωθ, and similarly ᵐ5^L), place in northeast Ephraim, near border of Manasseh, between Shechem and Taanath Shilo; Buhl^{Geogr. 109} conjecture khirbet kefr beita.

Geographic Setting

Mikmethath was a town or landmark in the central hill country of Canaan, situated just east of Shechem and near the watershed line that slopes westward toward the Mediterranean Sea. Although its exact archaeological location remains uncertain, its placement in biblical boundary lists positions it on the northern edge of the tribal territory of Ephraim and immediately south of the portion assigned to Manasseh. The proximity to Shechem—an ancient city of refuge and covenant renewal—demonstrates its strategic value along the main north–south ridge road that later became a key route in Israel’s history.

Biblical Occurrences

1. Joshua 16:6 marks Mikmethath as a point where Ephraim’s border “went out toward the sea … and the boundary turned eastward to Taanath Shiloh and passed it to Janoah on the east”.
2. Joshua 17:7 notes that “The border of Manasseh ran from Asher to Micmethath, which lies east of Shechem, and then went south toward the inhabitants of En Tappuah”.

These two references place Mikmethath at the hinge between the allotments of Joseph’s two sons.

Tribal Boundaries and Covenant Land

The allotment chapters underscore the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promise to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 15:18-21). Mikmethath’s inclusion in the boundary descriptions highlights three covenant realities:
• Precision – The inheritance was not vague but measured down to named sites; every Israelite could know where God had placed him.
• Unity and Diversity – Ephraim and Manasseh received adjacent territories, reflecting their shared lineage while preserving distinct tribal identities.
• Stewardship – Receiving land implied responsibility to cultivate, guard, and live faithfully within divinely assigned limits.

Historical Context

Shechem, near Mikmethath, was repeatedly the stage for covenant ceremonies (Joshua 24:1-28) and later the capital under Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25). Any settlement controlling the heights east of Shechem would monitor traffic between the Jordan Valley and the coastal plain. Thus Mikmethath may have served as a forward post guarding Ephraim’s northern flank and Manasseh’s southern gateway.

Theological Themes

1. Inheritance and Identity – The precision of boundary landmarks like Mikmethath affirms God’s commitment to grant His people tangible blessings (Deuteronomy 19:14).
2. Faith and Obedience – The land could be fully enjoyed only through covenant loyalty; boundary stones were lasting witnesses (Proverbs 22:28).
3. Unity in Diversity – The adjacent placement of Ephraim and Manasseh mirrors the New Testament picture of one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Lessons for Today

• God’s promises include details; believers can trust Him for both the large and the small matters of life.
• Spiritual inheritance carries responsibility; each congregation or individual has a God-given sphere of ministry to cultivate (2 Corinthians 10:13-15).
• Boundaries foster peace; respecting God-ordained limits guards against envy and strife (James 3:16-17).

Related Scriptures

Genesis 48:21-22; Deuteronomy 33:13-17; Joshua 24:32; 1 Chronicles 7:20-29.

הַֽמִּכְמְתָ֔ת הַֽמִּכְמְתָת֙ המכמתת ham·miḵ·mə·ṯāṯ hammichmeTat hammiḵməṯāṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts