נֵ֫כֶל (ne.khel)
ne.khel
trick
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun nekhel denotes a specific kind of cunning or crafty deception. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Numbers 25:16-18, where Moses instructs the Israelites to deal with the Midianites for their role in leading the people into idolatry and sexual immorality at Baal-peor.
Lexical sources translate it as wiliness, craft, or knavery. The word captures the calculated nature of the Midianite women’s strategy, which was not merely seductive but politically and spiritually manipulative. It describes a deceit that is intentional and harmful, designed to undermine covenant faithfulness through subtle, treacherous means rather than open hostility.
Its solitary occurrence highlights the severity of this type of betrayal. The text links nekhel directly to the "sisters of the kings of Midian," framing their actions as a deliberate trap. This rare usage underscores how calculated deception is viewed as a grave threat to the community’s spiritual integrity in the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nekhel describes a specific kind of cunning deception that hides behind friendly or seductive appearances. It is not open hostility, but a calculated trap designed to lead people away from their commitments. In Numbers 25, this term highlights how the Midianites used subtle manipulation to undermine the Israelites' faithfulness.
For your daily life, this word serves as a gentle reminder that spiritual threats often come in disguised forms. It encourages you to remain grounded in truth and discernment, recognizing that not every attractive offer is harmless. By staying alert to hidden agendas, you protect your heart from subtle influences that might distract you from what matters most.
Ultimately, this rare word underscores the value of integrity and transparency in relationships. It invites you to approach interactions with wisdom, seeking clarity rather than being swayed by clever but hollow strategies. This awareness helps foster a community built on honesty and mutual respect.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- by/ deceitfulness<es>/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/נִכְלֵי/הֶ֛ם1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 25:18
for they harassed you with their wiles, wherein they have deceived you in the matter of Peor, and in the incident regarding Cozbi, the daughter of the prince of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor.”
This verse explicitly links the term to the Midianites' calculated strategy of deception through idolatry, highlighting the severity of their spiritual betrayal.