נִקְפָּה
probably a rope (as encircling)
Definition
The Hebrew noun נִקְפָּה (niqpâh) refers to a 'rope' or 'cord,' likely one used for binding or encircling. It is derived from the root נָקַף (nāqap), meaning 'to strike' or 'to go around,' suggesting an object that surrounds or constricts. In its sole biblical occurrence in Isaiah 3:24, it appears in a list of items to be replaced by symbols of judgment, where 'a rope' stands in contrast to finery. No other distinct meanings are attested in biblical usage.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 3:24. It occurs within a prophetic oracle of judgment against the prideful women of Jerusalem, detailing how their adornments will be replaced by marks of disgrace and captivity. Here, 'a rope' (נִקְפָּה) substitutes for a 'belt' or 'sash,' symbolizing bondage instead of beauty. The usage is poetic and metaphorical, emphasizing loss and humiliation.
Etymology
נִקְפָּה comes from the root נָקַף (H5362, nāqap), which means 'to strike' or 'to go around, encircle.' The noun form likely developed from the sense of something that encircles or binds, hence 'a rope.' Cognates in other Semitic languages support meanings related to striking or surrounding, aligning with the imagery of constraint.
Semantic Range
Though a simple object, נִקְפָּה in Isaiah 3:24 carries theological weight as part of a prophetic warning. It illustrates God's reversal of human pride into humiliation, where symbols of elegance become emblems of exile. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting the stark contrast between divine judgment and worldly vanity, underscoring themes of justice and the consequences of sin.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, ropes were common tools for binding, leading, or measuring, often associated with control or captivity. In Isaiah's prophecy, replacing a decorative belt with a plain rope would have been a culturally understood image of degradation, shifting from honor to servitude. This contrasts with modern views where ropes may lack such symbolic depth.
חֶבֶל (ḥebel, H2256) — a general term for rope, cord, or measuring line; often used in varied contexts. עֲבֹת ('ăḇōṯ, H5688) — a thick cord or rope, typically for binding.
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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