נָקַב (na.qav)
na.qav
to pierce; to curse
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb naqav carries two distinct meanings in Scripture: to pierce or bore through something, and to curse or speak evil against someone. In its physical sense, it describes making a hole or perforation, as seen when workers prepared materials for the tabernacle or when an ear was pierced with an awl as a sign of permanent service (Exodus 21:6; Leviticus 25:10). This concrete image of penetration underlies its metaphorical use.
In a social or legal context, naqav means to designate or appoint someone by name. The sources note this usage in Chronicles, where leaders are "pricked off" or specified for their duties, suggesting that being named is like being marked out. Conversely, it also carries the heavy weight of cursing or blaspheming God’s name (Leviticus 24:11-16). Here, the word implies a violent verbal act, piercing the honor of the divine just as a physical tool pierces material.
The connection between these senses lies in the idea of marking or penetrating. To curse is to verbally attack and defile; to designate is to mark out for a purpose. Translators often render it "pierce," "appoint," or "curse" depending on whether the context is physical, administrative, or religious. The word reminds readers that words, like tools, can have forceful and lasting effects.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word naqav carries two distinct images: piercing material objects and naming individuals for specific roles. In the physical sense, it describes making a hole or bore through something, such as preparing materials for the tabernacle or marking an ear with an awl to signify permanent service. This concrete act of penetration provides the foundation for its metaphorical uses in Scripture.
In social and legal contexts, naqav means to designate or appoint someone by name. Leaders are 'pricked off' or specified for their duties, suggesting that being named is like being marked out for a purpose. Conversely, it also carries the heavy weight of cursing or blaspheming God’s name. Here, the word implies a violent verbal act, piercing the honor of the divine just as a physical tool pierces material.
This duality reminds us that words, like tools, have forceful and lasting effects. Whether we are appointed to serve or speak against the holy, our actions leave an imprint. Understanding this word helps us appreciate the seriousness of how we name others and how we honor God in our speech.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they had been designated5×
- and/ it will pierce/ it2×
- you pierced1×
- will anyone pierce?1×
- when/ slanders/ he1×
- pierced1×
- it will designate/ it1×
- designate/ !1×
- and/ he slandered1×
- and/ [one who] slanders1×
- [the] distinguished [people] of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִקְּב֖וּ3×
- וּ/נְקָבָ֑/הּ2×
- נָקֽוּב\׃\ \פ1×
- נָקַ֤בְתָּ1×
- נָקְבָ֧/ה1×
- נִקְּב֨וּ1×
- נִקְּב֥וּ1×
- נְקֻבֵי֙1×
- יִקֳּבֶֽ/נּוּ\׃1×
- יִנְקָב\־1×
- וַ֠/יִּקֹּב1×
- וְ/נֹקֵ֤ב1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 24:16
He who blasphemes Yahweh’s name, he shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as the native-born shall be put to death when he blasphemes the Name.
This verse uses naqav to describe blasphemy, illustrating the violent verbal act of piercing God's honor through cursing His name.
-
Genesis 30:28
He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.”
Here Jacob asks to be appointed or designated by name for his wages, showing the administrative use of the word to mark someone for a specific role.
-
II Kings 18:21
Now, behold, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in Egypt. If a man leans on it, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust on him.
Isaiah uses the physical image of piercing to warn that trusting in Egypt will result in pain, as a bruised reed pierces the hand when leaned upon.
-
I Chronicles 16:41
and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loving kindness endures forever;
This verse mentions musicians who were 'mentioned by name,' highlighting how naqav is used to designate individuals for specific worship duties.