נָקֹד (na.qod)
na.qod
speckled
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word naqod describes an animal that is speckled or marked with distinct spots. In the biblical text, it appears exclusively to characterize livestock, specifically sheep and goats, highlighting their physical appearance rather than their breed or lineage.
This term occurs seven times in Scripture, almost entirely within the narrative of Jacob’s dealings with his father-in-law Laban in Genesis 30–31. It refers to the spotted and speckled animals that Jacob agreed to keep as his wages, a detail that underscores the specific nature of their contractual agreement.
Translators typically render naqod as "speckled" or "spotted," preserving the visual precision of the original language. The word serves as a concrete identifier in the patriarchal stories, grounding the account of family dynamics and wealth accumulation in tangible, observable details of ancient pastoral life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word naqod simply describes an animal with spots or speckles. In Genesis, it marks the specific sheep and goats Jacob kept as his wages from Laban. This detail grounds the story in real life, showing how God worked through everyday agreements and visible signs.
For you, this word reminds us that God notices the small things. He sees the details of your work, your contracts, and your daily efforts. Even when circumstances seem unfair or confusing, God’s presence is there, turning ordinary moments into part of a larger plan. You are seen in every speckle.
This promise brings comfort. It means your labor is not invisible to God. Whether you face uncertainty at work or in family matters, trust that He observes your faithfulness. His care extends to the smallest marks on your flock and the deepest concerns of your heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- speckled4×
- speckled [ones]3×
- and/ [the] speckled1×
- <the>/ speckled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְקֻדִּ֖ים3×
- נָקֹ֨ד1×
- נָקֹ֣ד1×
- נְקֻדִּים֙1×
- נְקֻדִּ֑ים1×
- וְ/נָקֹ֖ד1×
- הַ/נְּקֻדּ֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 30:32
I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire.
This verse establishes the initial agreement where Jacob identifies the speckled goats as his rightful wages, setting the stage for the subsequent events.
-
Genesis 31:8
If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore streaked.
Here the text highlights God’s sovereign provision, showing that whatever wage Laban designated, the flock produced exactly those marked animals.
-
Genesis 31:10
During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked, speckled, and grizzled.
In this dream vision, the speckled goats symbolize God’s active oversight and intervention in Jacob’s life during a critical time of transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word naqod mean?
Why is this word important in Genesis?
How is naqod different from other color words?
Every Occurrence (7 verses across 1 books)
Genesis 7 verses
I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among…
Genesis 30:33So my righteousness will answer for me hereafter, when you come concerning my hire that is before you. Every one that…
Genesis 30:35That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and…
Genesis 30:39The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted.
Genesis 31:8If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your…
Genesis 31:10During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock…
Genesis 31:12He said, ‘Now lift up your eyes, and behold, all the male goats which leap on the flock are streaked, speckled, and…