נָכָא
to smite, i.e. drive away
Definition
The Hebrew verb נָכָא (nâkâʼ) fundamentally means 'to smite' or 'to strike,' but in its single biblical occurrence, it carries a derived, figurative sense of being 'driven away' or 'cast out' in a state of disgrace. It describes a person who is so thoroughly stricken and humiliated that they are considered vile and are expelled from society. This meaning is vividly illustrated in Job 30:8, where Job describes the mockers who taunt him as 'children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.' Here, the sense is not a physical blow but a social and moral striking down, resulting in utter contempt and rejection.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Job 30:8. It is employed in a poetic and metaphorical context within Job's lament. The word describes the low social status and despised character of the very people who are now mocking Job in his suffering. The usage highlights a complete reversal of fortune and social standing, emphasizing profound humiliation.
Etymology
נָכָא is a primitive root verb. Its core meaning relates to striking or smiting. Cognates in other Semitic languages support this sense of physical beating or affliction. In biblical Hebrew, its meaning developed from the physical act to encompass the figurative consequences of such a blow—namely, being cast down, degraded, and driven away, as seen in its sole usage.
Semantic Range
This word, though rare, contributes to the Book of Job's profound exploration of human suffering, dignity, and social scorn. It underscores the theme of undeserved humiliation and the fragility of social honor. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Job by highlighting the depth of his isolation; he is not just mocked but is being described by his mockers as one who has been 'stricken' to the point of being an outcast, which deepens the pathos of his righteous suffering.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, honor and social standing were paramount. To be 'driven away' (נָכָא) as 'viler than the earth' signified a total loss of personhood and place within the community. It was a fate worse than poverty—it was to be considered subhuman and unfit for human society. This cultural understanding intensifies the insult Job endures from those he considers beneath him.
נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — A much more common verb meaning 'to strike, smite, beat' often in a literal, physical sense. נָכָא appears to be a rarer, possibly dialectical or poetic form with a more specific figurative outcome.
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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