נִקְפָּה (niq.pah)
niq.pah
rope
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun niqpah refers to a rope used as a tether or binding cord. In the Old Testament, it appears only once, in Isaiah 3:24, where it describes the encircling rope that replaces the fine girdles of Jerusalem’s women. This single occurrence paints a vivid picture of humiliation and captivity, suggesting a shift from adornment to restraint.
The word likely denotes a thick, sturdy cord designed to bind or lead someone, rather than a thin decorative string. Its use in this context highlights the severity of the judgment described in Isaiah, where luxury is stripped away and replaced with symbols of defeat. The imagery conveys a loss of status and freedom, marking a dramatic reversal in the social order.
Because it occurs so rarely, niqpah offers a precise glimpse into ancient material culture and prophetic metaphor. Translators often render it as "rope" or "tether," capturing its function as an instrument of control. The word serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride, using a concrete object to illustrate spiritual and social collapse.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word niqpah appears in Isaiah 3:24 as a stark symbol of humiliation. It describes a coarse rope that replaces a fine belt, marking a sudden shift from dignity to captivity. This imagery reminds us that pride can lead to a loss of freedom and status, stripping away what we value most.
For your faith, this word invites reflection on what truly holds you together. When life’s comforts are removed, do you find security in temporary things or in God? The rope signifies restraint, but it also points to the need for a stronger bond—one that cannot be broken by circumstance. Trusting in divine protection offers a stability that worldly adornments never could.
This ancient metaphor challenges us to examine our own 'belts'—the sources of our identity and strength. By anchoring our hearts in faith rather than appearance or power, we find a peace that endures even when external circumstances change. May you rest in the assurance that your worth is secure in God’s love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a rope1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִקְפָּה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 3:24
It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
The rope replaces a belt to symbolize the loss of dignity and the onset of captivity for Jerusalem's women.