נִקּוּד (niq.qud)
niq.qud
crumb
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun niqqud refers to something that is broken into small pieces, specifically describing crumbs or a type of hard, crumbly cake. Its root sense relates to crumbling or breaking apart, which explains why the word can denote both loose fragments and a solid food item that falls apart easily when handled.
This term appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in historical narratives involving royal courts. In 1 Kings 20:10, the Aramean king boasts that even if the Israelites surrender, he will take their men as slaves and their women and children as property, adding that he will leave them nothing but "crumbs" (niqqud) — implying only worthless scraps would remain. Similarly, in Joshua 9:4, the Gibeonites disguise their worn provisions by putting old, crumbly bread on their donkeys to appear as travelers from a distant land.
Translators often render niqqud as "crumbs" or "hard cakes," depending on context. The word carries a sense of something diminished or reduced to fragments, whether literally in food or metaphorically in loss. Its rarity in Scripture highlights how specific details of daily life — like the texture of bread — were used to convey broader themes of scarcity, deception, or defeat.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word niqqud describes something broken into small pieces, often referring to crumbs or hard cakes that fall apart easily. In the ancient world, the texture of bread was a practical detail that carried significant meaning. It could signal scarcity, deception, or the remnants of a meal.
When we encounter this term in Scripture, it reminds us of the tangible realities of daily life. Whether describing the Gibeonites’ worn provisions or the leftovers left by a conquering army, these details ground our faith in history. They show that God cares about the ordinary moments and objects we use.
Reflecting on niqqud invites us to appreciate the simplicity of our own lives. We do not need grand gestures to find meaning; even small, broken things can point to deeper truths about human nature and divine providence. This perspective helps us see value in the humble aspects of our journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- crumbs2×
- and/ cakes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִקֻּדִֽים\׃2×
- וְ/נִקֻּדִ֛ים1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 9:5
and old and patched sandals on their feet, and wore old garments. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy.
This verse highlights the deceptive nature of niqqud, as the Gibeonites use dry, moldy bread to disguise their true origins and avoid conflict.
-
I Kings 14:3
Take with you ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the child.”
Here, the term appears in a context of provision, where simple food items like cakes are prepared for a journey to seek prophetic guidance.