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בַּקְבֻּק

𐤁𐤒𐤁𐤒

baqbuq

H1228 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בָּקַק to empty, to pour out, to gush

Definition

A container, typically of clay, used for holding and pouring liquids such as water, wine, or oil; the word often denotes a specific type of bottle or flask characterized by a narrow neck, designed for ease of pouring or carrying. In its rare biblical appearances, the term is used concretely for such a vessel, particularly in contexts involving the pouring out or emptying of its contents.

Semantic Range

bottle, flask, cruse, vessel used for pouring or storing liquids, clay container with narrow neck

Root / Etymology

From the root בקק (b-q-q), meaning ‘to pour out, empty, flow out,’ suggesting an association with the sound or action of liquid being poured or gurgling out. The term baqbuq is likely onomatopoeic, reflecting the sound made by liquid exiting a narrow-necked container. The formation of the word uses reduplication, which intensifies or imitates the sound inherent in its root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בַּקְבֻּק is a rare word, appearing only a few times in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Jeremiah 19:1, 10; 1 Kings 14:3). In its contexts, it describes clay bottles or flasks, typically used for liquid storage or used symbolically in prophetic actions. The design of such vessels, with a narrow neck, facilitated controlled pouring and minimized spillage. Modern translations usually render it as 'bottle' or 'flask.' The form is probably imitative, emphasizing the gurgling sound as liquid is poured (baqbuq). In the later Hebrew language, the term fell out of common usage, with other terms (e.g., נֵבֶל, חֹמֶת) taking its place for assorted containers. The biblical baqbuq is distinct from skins (נֹאדִים) used for similar purposes in the highlands, and should be understood within the context of ceramic technology of the Iron Age. The word is not specifically associated with any religious function in its biblical usage, nor does it denote a ritual object. The English translation 'bottle' is accurate, but it does not capture the particular material (clay) and shape implied in the Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

xlit baqbûk corrected to baqbuq; from בָּקַק; a bottle (from the gurgling in emptying); bottle, cruse.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בקק (b-q-q) — to empty, to pour out, to gush

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1227 בַּקְבּוּק Baqbuq
H1231 בֻּקִּי Emptied-One
H1232 בֻּקִּיָּה Yah Has Poured Out
H1238 בָּקַק the one who empties
H2999 יַבֹּק the Pouring-Forth River

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1228-02 וּ/בַקְבֻּ֥ק uvaqebuq HC/Ncmsc and-jar gushing flask of 1
H1228-01 הַ/בַּקְבֻּ֑ק habaqebuq HTd/Ncmsa the-jar the pour-flask 1
H1228-03 בַקְבֻּ֖ק vaqebuq HNcmsc jar gushing flask of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1228-02 1 Kings 14:3 וּ/בַקְבֻּ֥ק uvaqebuq HC/Ncmsc and-jar gushing flask of
H1228-03 Jeremiah 19:1 בַקְבֻּ֖ק vaqebuq HNcmsc jar gushing flask of
H1228-01 Jeremiah 19:10 הַ/בַּקְבֻּ֑ק habaqebuq HTd/Ncmsa the-jar the pour-flask
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