נְקָרָה (ne.qa.rah)
ne.qa.rah
crevice
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun neqarah refers to a physical hollow, such as a cave, pit, or narrow crevice in rock. It describes a tangible space rather than an abstract concept, often implying a place of concealment or refuge within the landscape.
This word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in the book of Exodus during the narrative of Moses on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 33:22, God promises to place Moses in a neqarah while His glory passes by, shielding him from direct exposure. A similar usage occurs in Exodus 33:21-22, where this rocky hollow serves as the secure location for Moses’ protection.
The term highlights the physical reality of divine encounter in the Old Testament narrative. It is not used metaphorically for spiritual states but denotes a literal geological feature that provides safety. Translators typically render it as "cleft" or "hole," emphasizing its function as a protective shelter amidst the intensity of the divine presence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word neqarah points to a small opening in rock, like a cleft or crevice. In Exodus, God places Moses there as His glory passes by. This image shows that divine presence can be overwhelming, yet God provides a safe space for us to stand within it.
We often feel exposed when facing life’s intense moments. This verse reminds us that God does not leave us without shelter. He offers a place of protection where we can witness His power without being consumed by it.
When you feel small against the weight of your circumstances, remember this promise. God knows our limits and provides exactly what we need to endure. We can trust Him to cover us as we move through difficult seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ [the] crevices of1×
- in/ [the] cleft of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/נִקְרַ֣ת1×
- בְּ/נִקְר֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 33:22
It will happen, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by;
This verse explicitly defines the function of the crevice as a protective shelter where Moses is hidden by God's hand during the passage of His glory.
-
Isaiah 2:21
to go into the caverns of the rocks, and into the clefts of the ragged rocks, from before the terror of Yahweh, and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake the earth mightily.
Here the term describes a place of hiding from divine terror, contrasting with Exodus by showing humans seeking refuge from judgment rather than receiving it in safety.