נְקַשׁ
to knock
Definition
The Aramaic verb נְקַשׁ (nᵉqash) means 'to knock' or 'to strike.' In its single biblical occurrence, it describes a physical action of striking or knocking, specifically referring to King Belshazzar's knees knocking together in terror (Daniel 5:6). This usage conveys a sense of involuntary, violent physical trembling caused by extreme fear. The word is used in a figurative sense to depict the complete loss of composure and power in the face of divine judgment.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It appears in Daniel 5:6 to describe the physiological reaction of King Belshazzar when he sees the mysterious handwriting on the wall. The context is a royal banquet where God's judgment is suddenly revealed, causing the king's strength to fail and his knees to 'knock' against each other. This singular usage powerfully illustrates a moment of terror and divine confrontation.
Etymology
נְקַשׁ is an Aramaic verb corresponding to the Hebrew root נָקַשׁ (H5367), which generally means 'to lay a snare' or 'to ensnare.' However, in this specific Aramaic context, its meaning aligns more closely with נָקַף (H5362), meaning 'to strike' or 'to knock.' This shows a semantic development or specialization in Aramaic where the word took on this specific physical sense of striking, as in the knocking of limbs.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the moment a proud human ruler is confronted by the sovereign God. The 'knocking' knees symbolize the dissolution of human power and arrogance before divine judgment. It enriches the reading of Daniel 5 by vividly portraying the fear that comes from encountering God's direct message of condemnation, highlighting the theme that no earthly kingdom can stand against God's decree.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's physical composure was a sign of his power and divine favor. For Belshazzar's knees to knock uncontrollably in front of his nobles was a profound public humiliation and a sign that the gods (or in the biblical narrative, the God of Israel) had withdrawn their support. This physical sign would have been immediately recognized by the audience as indicating utter terror and the loss of royal authority.
נָקַף (nāqaph, H5362) — A Hebrew verb meaning 'to strike' or 'to compass about,' sharing the core idea of a striking action. נָקַשׁ (nāqash, H5367) — The Hebrew root meaning 'to lay a snare' or 'ensnare,' from which the Aramaic word is derived but with a shifted meaning.
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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