נָקִיק
a cleft
Definition
The Hebrew word נָקִיק refers to a narrow, rocky cleft or fissure, such as a crevice in a cliff or a hole in a rock. It describes a specific type of natural formation, often a tight, rugged opening. In Isaiah 7:19, it is used metaphorically for the desolate places where wild animals dwell, while in Jeremiah 13:4, it denotes a literal hole in the rocks by the Euphrates where a linen belt was hidden. In Jeremiah 16:16, it again appears as a physical hiding place from which fishermen will extract people, symbolizing God's inescapable judgment.
Biblical Usage
נָקִיק is used only three times in the Old Testament, all in prophetic books (Isaiah and Jeremiah). Its usage is consistent in describing a rocky crevice or hole, but it carries both literal and metaphorical force. In Isaiah 7:19, it is part of a description of desolation, while in Jeremiah 13:4 and 16:16, it serves as a concrete image within prophetic object lessons—first for hiding a ruined garment, then for God's hunters extracting people during judgment.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root likely meaning 'to bore' or 'to pierce,' נָקִיק inherently conveys the idea of a perforated or hollowed-out space. It is a noun form that specifically denotes the result of such boring—a cleft or hole. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the sense of a narrow opening or crevice.
Semantic Range
While נָקִיק itself is a concrete noun, its use in prophecy gives it theological weight. In Isaiah 7:19 and Jeremiah 16:16, it contributes to imagery of God's sovereignty over both desolate places and human hiding spots. The crevices represent places of perceived security or abandonment, from which God can either call forth judgment (Jeremiah 16:16) or allow desolation (Isaiah 7:19), underscoring that no place is beyond His reach or purposes.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, rocky clefts (נְקִיקִים) were common features in the Judean wilderness and riverbanks. They served as practical shelters, hiding places, or traps. Understanding this helps modern readers visualize the settings in Jeremiah 13:4 (by the Euphrates) and 16:16, where such crevices were familiar landmarks used for concealment or fishing, making the prophetic metaphors more vivid.
סֶלַע (selaʿ, H5553) — a large rock or cliff, broader than a cleft. חֹר (ḥor, H2356) — a hole or cavern, often man-made or in the ground, not specifically a rocky fissure. מְעָרָה (məʿārâ, H4631) — a cave or den, typically larger and more enclosed than a narrow cleft.
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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