שָׂקַד

שָׂקַד

to fasten

Definition

The Hebrew verb שָׂקַד (sâqad) means to fasten, bind, or tie securely. It carries the sense of making something firm or fixed in place, often with a connotation of vigilance or watchfulness, as the root is related to the idea of being alert. In its sole biblical occurrence in Lamentations 1:14, it describes how God has bound or fastened a yoke upon the neck of Jerusalem as an act of judgment. The word implies a deliberate, unshakable imposition of a burden or constraint.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Lamentations 1:14. It appears in a poetic context of lament, describing the consequences of Judah's sin. The prophet personifies Jerusalem, stating, 'The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand; they are fastened together (נִשְׂקַד, nisqad); they have come up upon my neck; he has made my strength fail.' Here, the word vividly portrays the inescapable and divinely ordained nature of the nation's suffering.

Etymology

שָׂקַד is a primitive root. It is linguistically connected to the idea of being watchful or alert (as seen in the related root שָׁקַד, H8245, meaning 'to watch' or 'to be diligent'). The semantic development likely moves from the concept of vigilant attention to the act of securing or fastening something firmly, as if with watchful care to ensure it holds.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, this word is theologically significant in its context. It portrays divine judgment not as a random calamity but as a deliberate, fastened burden—a yoke—that God has placed due to covenant unfaithfulness. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Lamentations by emphasizing the inescapable and intentional nature of God's disciplinary action, which is nevertheless framed within the broader biblical narrative of hope and potential restoration. In the ancient Near East, a yoke was a common cultural symbol for subjugation, slavery, or heavy burden (e.g., 1 Kings 12:4). The act of 'fastening' a yoke would be understood as a definitive act of conquest or control. This imagery would resonate deeply with the original audience, who lived in an agrarian society and under the reality of imperial domination, making the metaphor of Lamentations 1:14 powerfully concrete. אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — a more general term for binding, often used for tying physically or making an alliance. חָבַשׁ (châbash, H2280) — to bind on, bind up, often for girding or bandaging. קָשַׁר (qâshar, H7194) — to tie, bind together, often with a sense of conspiring or joining.

Word Details