עָמֹק (a.maq)
a.maq
be deep
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb amaq describes something that is deep or profound. It appears in eight verses across Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea, often pointing to physical depths like the sea or a well, but also to abstract concepts such as wisdom or guilt. The word captures both spatial depth and the intensity of a situation.
In its basic form, it simply states that something has significant depth. When used in the causative stem, it means to make something deep or profound. This dual usage allows the text to move from concrete images of water to abstract ideas like the complexity of human thought or the weight of sin.
Translators often render amaq as "deep" or "profound," depending on context. In Jeremiah 4:11, for example, it describes a wind that is fierce and deep, while in Isaiah 29:24, it refers to those who are deeply humbled. The word consistently conveys a sense of going below the surface, whether physically or spiritually.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word amaq reminds us that God is not limited by surface-level appearances. When scripture speaks of depths, it often points to the vastness of human experience—whether the profound weight of sin or the hidden motives of the heart. This verb captures the reality that some struggles go far below the visible horizon, reaching into places we cannot easily explain or fix on our own.
In Isaiah 7:11, God invites King Ahaz to ask for a sign in the depth or the height above. This invitation acknowledges the full range of human need, from the lowest pit to the highest heaven. It suggests that no matter how deep our trouble feels, there is room for divine intervention. We do not have to navigate these profound moments alone.
Similarly, Hosea 5:2 describes rebels as being deep in slaughter, highlighting the serious consequences of turning away from God. Yet this description serves as a sobering call to return. The depth of our error does not exceed the depth of God’s patience. We can trust that He sees into the deepest parts of our lives and offers grace even there.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they have made deep3×
- make deep3×
- those/ [who] make deep1×
- someone has made [it] deep1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַעְמֵ֣ק1×
- הַ/מַּעֲמִיקִ֥ים1×
- הֶעְמִֽיקוּ\־1×
- הֶעְמִ֧יקוּ1×
- הֶעְמִ֥יקוּ1×
- הֶעְמִ֣יקוּ1×
- הֶעְמִ֣יק1×
- הֶעְמִ֑יקוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 7:11
“Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.”
This verse uses amaq to invite a request from the greatest possible depth, showing that God’s reach extends to our lowest points.
-
Hosea 5:2
The rebels are deep in slaughter, but I discipline all of them.
Here the word describes rebels being deep in slaughter, emphasizing the severe and hidden intensity of their sin before judgment.
-
Isaiah 31:6
Return to him from whom you have deeply revolted, children of Israel.
The text urges Israel to return from deeply revolting, using the term to convey the profound nature of their spiritual abandonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word amaq mean?
How is amaq different from other words for 'deep'?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 3 books)
Isaiah 4 verses
“Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.”
Isaiah 29:15Woe to those who deeply hide their counsel from Yahweh, and whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us?”…
Isaiah 30:33For his burning place has long been ready. Yes, it is prepared for the king. He has made its pyre deep and large with…
Isaiah 31:6Return to him from whom you have deeply revolted, children of Israel.