עָמוֹק
Amok, an Israelite
Definition
Amok is a proper name of an Israelite priest who returned from exile. The name means 'deep' and is borne by two individuals in the post-exilic period. In Nehemiah 12:7, Amok is listed among the priests who returned with Zerubbabel. In Nehemiah 12:20, he is again mentioned as the head of a priestly family during the time of the high priest Joiakim. The name itself is derived from a Hebrew root meaning depth, but as a personal name, it functions simply as an identifier for these historical figures.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a proper noun in the Old Testament, appearing only in the book of Nehemiah. It identifies individuals within the priestly lineage who were part of the community that returned from Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem. Both occurrences (Nehemiah 12:7, 12:20) are in genealogical lists that establish the legitimacy and continuity of the priesthood in the restored community.
Etymology
The name עָמוֹק (ʻÂmôwq) is derived from the root עָמַק (ʻāmaq, H6009), which means 'to be deep'. As a proper name, it is a nominal form meaning 'deep' or 'depth'. It is related to the adjective עָמֹק (ʻāmōq), describing physical or metaphorical depth. The name likely carried a symbolic or descriptive meaning for the individual or family.
Semantic Range
While the name Amok itself is not theologically loaded, its appearance in Nehemiah's priestly genealogies is significant. It underscores the theme of restoration and continuity of God's covenant people after the exile. The meticulous recording of names like Amok (Nehemiah 12:7, 12:20) affirms God's faithfulness in preserving the priestly line, which was essential for proper worship and atonement according to the Mosaic law. Understanding this context highlights the importance of community identity and divinely ordained roles in Israel's history.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. Bearing a name like 'Deep' could imply qualities of profundity, mystery, or stability. As a priestly name, it connected an individual to a specific family and duty within the religious and social structure of the restored community. The listing of such names in official records was crucial for establishing lineage, inheritance rights, and the right to serve in the temple.
עָמַק (ʻāmaq, H6009) — The root verb meaning 'to be deep', from which the name is derived. עָמֹק (ʻāmōq, H6012) — An adjective meaning 'deep', describing physical depth (like water in Proverbs 18:4) or profound thoughts.
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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