מִפְרֶקֶת

מִפְרֶקֶת

properly, a fracture, i.e. joint (vertebrae) of the neck

Definition

The Hebrew noun מִפְרֶקֶת (miphreqeth) refers specifically to the joint or vertebrae of the neck, the point where the head connects to the body. It is derived from a root meaning 'to break apart' or 'to fracture,' suggesting a place of division or articulation. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the physical neck of the priest Eli, which was broken upon hearing tragic news (1 Samuel 4:18). The word emphasizes the anatomical structure—the critical juncture—rather than the neck as a general body part.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel 4:18. It describes the fatal injury to Eli the priest: 'When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died.' The context is one of sudden, catastrophic news leading to physical collapse and death, with the term highlighting the precise location of the fatal fracture.

Etymology

מִפְרֶקֶת comes from the root פָּרַק (paraq, H6561), meaning 'to break apart, to tear off, or to deliver.' The noun form denotes a 'place of breaking' or a 'division,' hence a joint or articulation point. Cognates in other Semitic languages carry similar meanings of splitting or severing. The development from the action of breaking to the anatomical joint reflects a concrete, physical application of the root idea.

Semantic Range

While primarily an anatomical term, its single use carries significant narrative weight. Eli's broken neck symbolizes the sudden and complete end of his priestly lineage and God's judgment on his house, as foretold earlier (1 Samuel 2:27-36). The specific term for the vertebral joint underscores the totality and physical finality of the judgment, contrasting with the spiritual failure he represented. Understanding this precise term enriches the reading by highlighting the concrete, irreversible nature of the consequence. In ancient Israelite culture, the neck was often a symbol of strength, submission, or burden (e.g., bearing a yoke). A broken neck, however, represented utter defeat, helplessness, and death, as it severed the vital connection between head and body. The specific term for the vertebrae would have conveyed a vivid, gruesome image of a fatal injury, differing from a modern, more clinical understanding of 'neck.' צַוָּאר (tsavvar, H6677) — the general term for 'neck,' often used metaphorically for strength or stubbornness (e.g., Deuteronomy 31:27).

Word Details