נֵבֶךְ

נֵבֶךְ

a fountain

Definition

נֵבֶךְ (nêbek) refers specifically to a fountain or spring, a natural source of water emerging from the ground. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 38:16, where God questions Job about whether he has journeyed to the 'springs of the sea' (נִבְכֵי־יָם). In this unique poetic context, the word is used metaphorically to describe the mysterious, deep sources of the ocean, suggesting subterranean reservoirs or the very origins of the sea's waters. This extends the basic meaning of a terrestrial spring to a cosmic, almost mythical source.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only in Job 38:16. It occurs in the context of God's rhetorical speech from the whirlwind, highlighting the limits of human knowledge and exploration compared to divine sovereignty over creation. The usage is poetic and metaphorical, applying the concept of a spring to the unfathomable depths of the sea.

Etymology

Derived from an unused Hebrew root likely meaning 'to burst forth' or 'to pour out,' which vividly depicts water emerging from the earth. It is related to the concept of a source or origin. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the meaning of a flowing spring.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, נֵבֶךְ carries theological weight in its context. In Job 38:16, it underscores God's mastery over the hidden, foundational elements of creation that are utterly inaccessible to humanity. The 'springs of the sea' symbolize the mysterious, life-giving sources under God's sole control, contrasting human limitation with divine omniscience and power. Understanding this poetic usage enriches the reading of God's majestic speech, emphasizing that the world's deepest wonders are known and sustained by Him alone. In the ancient Near East, springs were vital, life-sustaining sources of fresh water in an arid landscape, often seen as gifts from the divine. The metaphorical application to the sea in Job taps into ancient cosmological ideas about subterranean waters (the 'deep' or תְּהוֹם) feeding the oceans, reflecting a common understanding of the earth's hydrological system. מַעְיָן (maʿyān, H4599) — a more common term for a spring or fountain, often used for literal water sources. עַיִן (ʿayin, H5869) — can mean 'spring' or 'fountain,' but also commonly means 'eye.' מָקוֹר (māqôr, H4726) — a source, spring, or fountain, sometimes used more abstractly for origin.

Word Details