Lexical Summary
menuchah: Rest, resting place, repose, tranquility
Original Word: מְנוּחָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: mnuwchah
Pronunciation: meh-noo-KHAH
Phonetic Spelling: (men-oo-khaw')
KJV: comfortable, ease, quiet, rest(-ing place), still
NASB: rest, resting place, comforting, permanent, place, place of rest, quiet
Word Origin: [feminine of H4495 (מָנוַֹח - Manoah)]
1. repose
2. (adverbially) peacefully
3. (figuratively) consolation
4. (specifically) matrimony
5. (hence, concretely) an abode
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
comfortable, ease, quiet, resting place, still
Or mnuchah {men-oo-khaw'}; feminine of Manowach; repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode -- comfortable, ease, quiet, rest(-ing place), still.
see HEBREW Manowach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfem. of
manoachDefinitionresting place, rest
NASB Translationcomforting (1), permanent (1), place (1), place of rest (1), quartermaster* (1), quiet (1), rest (8), resting (1), resting place (7), resting places (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, ; — absolute
Micah 2:10 +,
Genesis 49:15 (but see below),
2 Samuel 14:17; suffix
Psalm 95:11 2t.,
Psalm 132:8 2Chronicles 6:41 (where read as in Psalms, for anomalous MT),
Isaiah 11:10;
Zechariah 9:1; plural
Isaiah 32:18,
Psalm 23:2; —
resting-place Micah 2:10; Numbers 10:33 (JE), Deuteronomy 12:9 (+ ) so Psalm 95:11 (s resting- plural), compare Psalm 132:8 2Chronicles 6:41 (see above), Psalm 132:14; Isaiah 66:1 ("" ), compare 1 Chronicles 28:2; also Isaiah 11:10; probably also Genesis 49:15 ("" here is apparently substantive, reads adjective ; but read perhaps , his resting-place, from , BallHpt Holz after ); Isaiah 32:18 (+ , ); of s word Zechariah 9:1; resting-place on journey, in Jeremiah 51:59 (Ew Gf Gie and others); figurative for security, assurance 2 Samuel 14:17 (taken from resting, equilibrium, of scale according to Klo).
rest, quietness, plural Psalm 23:2; = refreshment Isaiah 28:12 ("" ); rest (from enemies) = peace 1 Kings 8:56 (compare 1 Kings 5:18), 1 Chronicles 22:9 a man of peace (compare vb); = relief from sorrow Jeremiah 45:3; condition of rest and security attained by marriage Ruth 1:9 (= Ruth 3:1). — Judges 20:43 is perhaps proper name, compare GFM.
Topical Lexicon
Overview The noun מְנוּחָה describes a state or place of settled rest, security, and tranquility granted by God. Across its varied appearances the word gathers covenantal, liturgical, social, and eschatological overtones, tracing a biblical theology of rest that stretches from patriarchal blessing to prophetic hope and ultimately points to the consummate peace found in the Messiah.
Covenantal Rest in the Land
1. Initial Foreshadowing – Jacob foresaw Issachar’s willingness to “see that rest was good” (Genesis 49:15), hinting that life in the promised land would offer relief from oppressive labor.
2. Wilderness Anticipation – Moses spoke of Israel’s journey toward “the resting place of the LORD” (Numbers 10:33; Deuteronomy 12:9), presenting the land as the covenant goal.
3. Historical Fulfillment – Solomon could proclaim, “Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised” (1 Kings 8:56). This rest included freedom from surrounding enemies and a stable national life (1 Chronicles 22:9).
4. Tribal Allotments – Judges 20:43 marks territory secure from foes; Ruth 1:9 expresses Naomi’s prayer that her widowed daughters-in-law would “find rest each in the house of her husband,” showing the domestic side of covenant security.
Rest and Worship
1. Cultic Center – David longed to build a “house of rest for the ark of the covenant” (1 Chronicles 28:2). The temple embodied God’s chosen resting place: “Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength” (Psalm 132:8), and the LORD replies, “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it” (Psalm 132:14).
2. Sabbath Echo – Psalm 95:11 warns the unbelieving generation, “They shall never enter My rest,” connecting the weekly Sabbath sign with the forfeited Canaan rest and serving as a call to faith-filled worship.
3. Liturgical Comfort – Psalm 116:7 exhorts the soul, “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you,” combining private devotion with temple theology.
Messianic and Eschatological Rest
1. Universal Rallying Point – “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10). The resting place becomes global and Christocentric.
2. Spirit-Induced Peace – Isaiah 32:18 promises that “My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in undisturbed resting places.” The Spirit-poured kingdom yields enduring menuchah.
3. Final Warning and Hope – Isaiah 28:12 laments Israel’s refusal of the offered rest; Micah 2:10 describes exile as the loss of resting place; yet Zechariah 9:1 envisions ultimate repose when Zion’s King subdues the nations.
4. Cosmic Throne – Isaiah 66:1 elevates the concept beyond geography: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is the footstool of My feet. Where then is the house you will build for Me? And where is My place of rest?” The Lord’s menuchah is coextensive with His sovereign reign, preparing the reader for the New Testament revelation of rest in Christ (Hebrews 4:1-11).
Rest under Pressure
Jeremiah 45:3 records Baruch’s complaint, “You said, ‘Woe is me! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest.’” Here menuchah is withheld, underscoring that true rest depends on submission to God’s word amid national turmoil (Jeremiah 51:59).
Personal and Pastoral Significance
• Assurance – Psalm 23:2 depicts the Shepherd who “makes me lie down in green pastures,” providing inner and outer serenity.
• Refuge – The believer’s heart finds repose by trusting God’s covenant faithfulness, a motif employed by Jesus when He invites, “You will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29, echoing Jeremiah 6:16).
• Ministry – Pastors and teachers invoke menuchah when calling weary saints to Christ’s finished work, encouraging Sabbath rhythms, and reminding them of the inheritance kept in heaven.
Summary of Key Occurrences
Genesis 49:15 – anticipatory rest
Numbers 10:33; Deuteronomy 12:9 – pilgrimage to rest
Judges 20:43; Ruth 1:9 – territorial and domestic rest
1 Kings 8:56; 1 Chronicles 22:9; 1 Chronicles 28:2 – national and cultic rest
Psalms 23:2; 95:11; 116:7; 132:8,14 – worshipful and devotional rest
Isaiah 11:10; 28:12; 32:18; 66:1 – prophetic and universal rest
Jeremiah 45:3; 51:59; Micah 2:10; Zechariah 9:1 – disciplinary and eschatological rest.
Through these layers Scripture portrays menuchah as God’s gracious gift of stability, peace, and blessing, realized historically in the land, experienced presently in fellowship with Him, and consummated eternally in Christ’s kingdom.
Forms and Transliterations
הַמְּנוּחָ֑ה הַמְּנוּחָה֙ המנוחה וּבִמְנוּחֹ֖ת וּמְנוּחָ֖ה ובמנוחת ומנוחה לִמְנוּחָ֑ה לִמְנוּחָ֑יְכִי לִמְנוּחָתֶ֑ךָ למנוחה למנוחיכי למנוחתך מְנֻח֣וֹת מְנֻחָה֙ מְנֻחָת֑וֹ מְנֻחָת֖וֹ מְנוּחָ֔ה מְנוּחָ֖ה מְנוּחָ֜ה מְנוּחָֽה׃ מְנוּחָה֙ מְנוּחָתִ֥י מְנוּחָתִֽי׃ מנוחה מנוחה׃ מנוחתי מנוחתי׃ מנחה מנחות מנחתו ham·mə·nū·ḥāh hammenuChah hammənūḥāh lim·nū·ḥā·ṯe·ḵā lim·nū·ḥā·yə·ḵî lim·nū·ḥāh limnuChah limnuchaTecha limnuChayechi limnūḥāh limnūḥāṯeḵā limnūḥāyəḵî mə·nū·ḥā·ṯî mə·nu·ḥā·ṯōw mə·nu·ḥāh mə·nū·ḥāh mə·nu·ḥō·wṯ menuChah menuchaTi menuchaTo menuChot mənuḥāh mənūḥāh mənūḥāṯî mənuḥāṯōw mənuḥōwṯ ū·ḇim·nū·ḥōṯ ū·mə·nū·ḥāh ūḇimnūḥōṯ umenuChah ūmənūḥāh uvimnuChot
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