שֻׂכָּה
a dart (as pointed like a thorn)
Definition
The Hebrew word שֻׂכָּה (sukkâh) refers to a sharp, pointed weapon, specifically a 'dart' or 'barbed iron' spear. It derives its meaning from the imagery of a thorn or sharp point, emphasizing its piercing and penetrating quality. In its sole biblical occurrence in Job 41:7, it describes the formidable, impenetrable scales of the leviathan, a mighty sea creature, against which such weapons are utterly ineffective. The word carries a sense of a military projectile designed to inflict serious, hooked wounds.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in the poetic book of Job. It appears in God's rhetorical description of the leviathan (Job 41:7), questioning whether its hide can be filled with barbed irons or its head with fishing spears. The context is one of emphasizing the creature's invulnerability and awesome power, using the ineffectiveness of human weaponry as a point of comparison.
Etymology
שֻׂכָּה (sukkâh) is a feminine noun derived from the root שׂוך (śûk), meaning 'to be pointed' or 'to be a thorn.' It is linguistically connected to שֹׂךְ (śōk, H7900), meaning 'thorn,' and שֵׂךְ (śēk, H7899), meaning 'layer' or 'hedge,' with the semantic development moving from 'thorn' to any sharp, pointed object, and specifically to a barbed weapon.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a specific term for a weapon, its theological significance emerges from its unique context. In Job 41:7, it contributes to the larger theme of God's sovereign power and the limits of human strength. The leviathan represents a force of chaos utterly beyond human control or conquest. The futility of the sukkâh against it underscores that there are realms of creation and power where human technology and warfare are meaningless, pointing to the absolute supremacy of God.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, barbed or hooked projectiles were known in warfare and hunting. Their design meant they were difficult to remove, causing greater injury. The description in Job taps into this understanding to heighten the imagery of the leviathan's supernatural defense. The comparison also reflects a cultural familiarity with fishing spears and harpoons, which were often barbed.
חֲנִית (ḥănîṯ, H2595) — a more general term for 'spear' or 'lance,' not necessarily specifying a barbed design. כִּידוֹן (kîḏôn, H3591) — a 'javelin' or short throwing spear, focusing on its function as a projectile rather than its pointed structure.
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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