נֵכֶה (ne.kheh)
ne.kheh
smitten
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective nekhah describes someone who is struck down or smitten. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 35:15, where it portrays those who oppose the psalmist. The context suggests physical injury or violent attack, reflecting a state of being hurt by another’s hand.
Its root relates to striking or hitting, conveying the result of that action rather than the act itself. In this single occurrence, it emphasizes the vulnerability of the innocent victim against aggressive foes. Translators typically render it as "smitten" or "stricken," preserving the sense of sudden, painful impact.
This word highlights a theme common in lament psalms: the righteous suffer unjust violence. By using nekhah, the text underscores the reality of physical harm without necessarily attributing it to divine punishment. It serves as a stark reminder of human frailty and the need for protection.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nekhah describes a person who has been struck down or smitten. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 35:15. Here, the psalmist feels surrounded by enemies who rejoice in his suffering. The term captures the physical pain and sudden impact of unjust violence. It reminds us that even the righteous can face severe harm from others.
When you feel overwhelmed by unfair treatment or unexpected hardship, this word validates your experience. You are not imagining the weight of the burden. Scripture acknowledges that life can bring sharp, painful blows. This honest portrayal helps us bring our raw emotions to God without pretense.
Knowing that the Bible names this kind of suffering offers comfort. It shows that God sees the vulnerability of the innocent. You do not have to hide your pain or pretend everything is fine. He understands the reality of being struck down by circumstances beyond your control.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- smitten [people]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֵ֭כִים1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 35:15
But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t know it. They tore at me, and didn’t cease.
The psalmist uses this term to describe how attackers physically tore at him while he was unaware, highlighting the suddenness and brutality of their assault.