נָקָה (na.qah)
na.qah
to clear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 29 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb naqah centers on the idea of being empty, clean, or free from a burden. In its basic sense, it describes a state of purity or innocence, but it also carries the weight of legal and moral accountability. When used in the Niphal stem, it often means to be held innocent or exempt from punishment, as seen when Deborah declares she is blameless toward the Philistines (Judges 15:3). This usage highlights a release from guilt or obligation.
A crucial aspect of this word appears in its negative form, particularly in the Decalogue. Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11 state that God will not hold the guilty innocent (lo nakeh), meaning He will not leave them unpunished. This emphasizes divine justice: naqah is not merely a passive state of cleanliness but an active judicial verdict. The word bridges the physical idea of being clean with the moral reality of being acquitted, showing that true innocence involves freedom from both defilement and penalty.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word naqah reminds us that God’s justice is both precise and merciful. In its most famous usage, it appears in the command against misusing God’s name: He will not hold the guilty innocent (Exodus 20:7). This is a comforting truth for those who fear they have fallen short. It means God does not overlook sin casually, but His justice is also perfectly balanced with grace.
For the believer, this concept offers profound relief. You are not defined by your failures or the accusations of others. When you turn to Christ, God declares you clear from guilt. This is not a self-made purity but a gift received through faith. It frees you from the heavy burden of trying to earn your own innocence.
Even in difficult seasons, this word invites trust. Like Samson who claimed blamelessness before acting (Judges 15:3), or David who refused to harm God’s anointed (1 Samuel 26:9), we see that true integrity comes from respecting God’s order. Rest in the assurance that your standing before Him is secure, not because of your perfection, but because of His faithful character.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 29 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will go unpunished7×
- and/ certainly <to leave unpunished>4×
- he will leave unpunished3×
- you will be exempt from punishment2×
- you will acquit/ me2×
- will you be exempt from punishment?2×
- he will be purged2×
- I will leave unpunished/ you2×
- you will be free1×
- you leave unpunished/ him1×
- he leaves unpunished1×
- completely <exempt from punishment>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִנָּקֶֽה\׃3×
- תְנַקֵּֽ/נִי\׃2×
- יִנָּקֶ֑ה2×
- יְנַקֶּה֙2×
- יְנַקֶּ֔ה2×
- וְ/נַקֵּה֙2×
- וְ/נַקֵּ֖ה2×
- תִּנָּקֶה֙1×
- תִּנָּקֶ֑ה1×
- תְּנַקֵּ֔/הוּ1×
- תִנָּקֶ֔ה1×
- תִנָּק֔וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 20:7
“You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name.
This verse establishes the divine standard that God will not acquit those who misuse His name, highlighting the seriousness of His holiness.
-
Judges 15:3
Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in the case of the Philistines when I harm them.”
Samson uses this word to assert his moral freedom and lack of obligation before acting against the Philistines.
-
Exodus 34:7
keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.”
This passage balances God’s forgiveness with His justice, stating clearly that He will by no means clear the guilty.