עָקֹד

עָקֹד

striped (with bands)

Definition

The Hebrew noun עָקֹד (ʻâqôd) describes animals, particularly sheep and goats, that are 'striped' or 'banded' with color. It refers to livestock whose coats have distinct streaks, spots, or rings of a different color, often a dark color on a lighter base. In its biblical usage, it specifically denotes the streaked, speckled, or ring-straked animals in Jacob's flocks (Genesis 30:35, 39). The term is used interchangeably in the narrative to describe the divinely appointed livestock that became Jacob's wages from Laban, as seen in Jacob's recounting of the events (Genesis 31:8, 10, 12).

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in Genesis 30–31, within the story of Jacob's breeding of Laban's flocks. It describes the sheep and goats that were streaked, speckled, or banded, which God appointed to be Jacob's portion as his wages. The term appears in Laban's initial removal of such animals (Genesis 30:35), in the description of the offspring at the watering troughs (Genesis 30:39-40), and in Jacob's later explanations to his wives about how God had given him these animals (Genesis 31:8, 10, 12). Its usage is tightly focused on this specific pastoral and economic context.

Etymology

Derived from the root עָקַד (ʻāqad, H6123), meaning 'to bind' or 'to tie.' The noun form עָקֹד thus carries the sense of being 'bound' or 'marked with bands,' picturing the stripes or rings on an animal's coat as if they were tied on. This root connection emphasizes the distinct, constrained pattern of the coloring.

Semantic Range

This word is central to the narrative of God's faithfulness in Jacob's life. The 'streaked' animals were the means by which God sovereignly fulfilled His promise to bless Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15), despite Laban's repeated deception. The term highlights God's providence in everyday, economic affairs, showing His control over genetics and breeding to ensure justice for His covenant people. Understanding this specific Hebrew term enriches the reading by clarifying the precise nature of the sign—distinct banding—that marked God's miraculous intervention. In ancient Near Eastern pastoral societies, livestock were a primary measure of wealth. The specific coloring of an animal (solid-colored vs. streaked/spotted) was a crucial factor in herd management, ownership, and breeding agreements. Jacob's deal with Laban, where he would receive only the non-solid-colored offspring, was a common type of wage agreement. The term עָקֹד precisely identifies the animals that were culturally and legally recognized as distinct property, making God's miraculous increase of them a direct and undeniable economic blessing. נָקֹד (nāqōd, H5348) — speckled or spotted; used in the same narrative (Genesis 30:32, 35) alongside עָקֹד, with a very similar meaning, though possibly emphasizing spots rather than stripes.

Word Details