עָכַס
to put on anklets
Definition
The Hebrew verb עָכַס (ʻâkaç) means 'to put on anklets' or 'to adorn oneself with tinkling ornaments.' It is used specifically in Isaiah 3:16 to describe the haughty, seductive behavior of the 'daughters of Zion' who walk with outstretched necks and 'making a tinkling with their feet' (KJV). The action involves fastening ornamental anklets that produce a sound as the wearer moves. As a denominative verb from the noun עֶכֶס (ʻekeç, H5914, meaning 'anklet' or 'bangle'), its meaning is confined to this specific act of adornment.
Biblical Usage
This verb occurs only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 3:16. It is used in a prophetic denunciation context, where Isaiah criticizes the pride and vanity of the women of Jerusalem. The 'tinkling' or 'mincing' walk produced by the anklets is presented as a symbol of their arrogance and seductive allure, which God promises to judge by stripping away their finery.
Etymology
The verb עָכַס is a primitive root meaning 'to tie' or 'to fetter.' However, in biblical usage, it functions exclusively as a denominative verb derived from the noun עֶכֶס (H5914), meaning 'anklet.' Thus, its developed meaning is specifically 'to put on anklets.' The connection to the root idea of 'binding' is seen in how anklets are fastened around the ankles.
Semantic Range
While the word itself describes a mundane action, its single biblical use in Isaiah 3:16 carries significant theological weight. It is part of a larger passage (Isaiah 3:16-26) detailing God's judgment on Judah's pride and social injustice. The women's adorned walk symbolizes a culture focused on external beauty, arrogance, and seduction, which stands in contrast to the fear of the Lord. Understanding this specific act of adornment enriches the reading by highlighting the concrete symbols of vanity that God opposes.
In the ancient Near East, anklets (עֶכֶס) were common feminine jewelry, often made of metal and sometimes with attached bells or pendants that produced a tinkling sound when walking. This sound could be associated with beauty, wealth, and allure. Isaiah's condemnation reflects a prophetic critique of using such adornments for prideful display and seductive purposes, contrasting with modesty and piety.
עָדָה (ʻādâ, H5710) — a more general verb meaning 'to adorn' or 'to deck oneself.' עָכַס is a specific type of adorning involving anklets.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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