עׇקְבָה
trickery
Definition
עׇקְבָה (ʻoqbâh) refers to cunning deception or treacherous trickery. It describes a deliberate act of deceit intended to ensnare or betray someone, often involving strategic planning. The word appears only once in the Old Testament in 2 Kings 10:19, where Jehu uses 'subtilty' (KJV) or 'trickery' to assemble and destroy the worshippers of Baal. While its single occurrence limits a range of senses, its derivation from the root עקב (ʻqb) strongly associates it with the concept of 'supplanting' or 'overreaching' through dishonest means.
Biblical Usage
This noun is used only in 2 Kings 10:19. In this context, Jehu employs 'trickery' (עׇקְבָה) as a strategic ruse, pretending to hold a great sacrifice for Baal in order to gather all his worshippers into one place for execution. The usage highlights a calculated, deceptive plan within a narrative of political and religious purge. No other patterns exist due to its single occurrence.
Etymology
עׇקְבָה is the feminine form of an unused noun derived from the root עקב (ʻāqav, H6117), which means 'to seize by the heel,' 'to supplant,' or 'to deceive.' This root is famously seen in the name Jacob (יַעֲקֹב), who grasped his brother Esau's heel at birth (Genesis 25:26) and later supplanted him. Thus, the word carries the inherent idea of tripping someone up or gaining advantage through underhanded means.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it exposes the nature of deceit in biblical narratives, particularly when used for seemingly 'righteous' ends. In 2 Kings 10:19, Jehu's trickery, though fulfilling a prophetic judgment against Baal worship (1 Kings 19:17), raises ethical questions about using deception to achieve divine purposes. It reminds readers that biblical characters are complex and that the text does not always explicitly endorse every action, even in accounts of judgment. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of 2 Kings by highlighting the morally ambiguous methods sometimes employed in Israel's history.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, particularly in contexts of political power struggles and religious conflicts, strategic deception was a recognized tool. Jehu's use of trickery in 2 Kings 10:19 would have been understood as a cunning political and military tactic to consolidate power and eliminate opposition. The cultural setting differed from modern ethical standards, where such deliberate deceit in religious matters might be viewed more critically. The narrative presents it as an effective, if ruthless, means to an end within a worldview where the eradication of idolatry was a paramount covenantal duty.
מִרְמָה (mirmâh, H4820) — a more general term for deceit or treachery, often used in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 12:5). תַּחְבֻּלָה (taḥbulâh, H8454) — refers to counsel or strategy, which can be wise or cunning (Proverbs 1:5, 11:14).
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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