יַבֹּק
𐤉𐤁𐤒
Yaboq
H2999 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Yabbôq designates a specific geographic feature: the Yabbok, a perennial river or wadi east of the Jordan River, forming a significant boundary or region in biblical geography. The term is a proper noun, functioning as the name of this waterway, and does not denote a common noun or verb. The river is referenced in historical narratives as a separator of territories and as the site of significant events, most notably Jacob's encounter in Genesis 32. The semantic range remains focused on this geographic entity, but its contextual usage reflects its importance as a landmark and an element of border demarcation.
Semantic Range
the Yabbok river (proper name), border river, geographic landmark
Root / Etymology
The name is traditionally connected with the Hebrew root בָּקַק (b-q-q), which means 'to empty, pour out.' The derivation may suggest 'pouring forth (water)' as its descriptive origin, possibly reflective of the river's cascading nature. However, as with many ancient place names, the exact etymology is uncertain and could have pre-Hebrew, Amorite, or other West Semitic origins, later adapted to Hebrew phonology and script.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Yabbôq is first mentioned as the site near which Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure (Genesis 32:22–32). The river forms part of the historical border between the Amorites and other Transjordanian peoples, structuring narratives in Numbers 21, Deuteronomy, and Joshua. There is no evidence that ancient Israelites or their neighbors used later terms like 'Jabbok' (the common English form) prior to Hellenistic times; the form יַבֹּק is the indigenous Israelite name. Ancient translations often render the name without interpretation. Although Strong's gloss assigns the meaning 'pouring forth,' this may stem more from folk etymology than precise geographic description. The watershed was culturally and politically significant during both the monarchic and early exilic periods. Standard English translations uniformly use 'Jabbok,' but this transliteration can obscure the word's geographic and narrative resonance for ancient Israelite audiences. Contrast with rivers like the Jordan (יַרְדֵּן), whose names are also rooted in local geography but carry different semantic and historical implications.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from בָּקַק; pouring forth; Jabbok, a river east of the Jordan; Jabbok.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בקק (b-q-q) — to empty, pour out, flow forth
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1227 | בַּקְבּוּק | Baqbuq |
| H1228 | בַּקְבֻּק | the pour-flask |
| H1231 | בֻּקִּי | Emptied-One |
| H1232 | בֻּקִּיָּה | Yah Has Poured Out |
| H1238 | בָּקַק | the one who empties |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2999-02 |
יַבֹּֽק | yaboq | HNp |
Jabbok | Yabbok (Pouring-Forth River) | 5 |
H2999-01 |
הַ/יַּבֹּ֖ק | hayaboq | HTd/Np |
the Jabbok | the Pouring-Forth River | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2999-02 |
Genesis 32:23 | יַבֹּֽק | yaboq | HNp |
of Jabbok | Yabbok (Pouring-Forth River) |
H2999-02 |
Numbers 21:24 | יַבֹּק֙ | yaboq | HNp |
the Jabbok | Yabbok (Pouring-Forth River) |
H2999-02 |
Deuteronomy 2:37 | יַבֹּק֙ | yaboq | HNp |
Jabbok | Yabbok (Pouring-Forth River) |
H2999-02 |
Deuteronomy 3:16 | יַבֹּ֣ק | yaboq | HNp |
Jabbok | Yabbok (Pouring-Forth River) |
H2999-02 |
Joshua 12:2 | יַבֹּ֣ק | yaboq | HNp |
Jabbok | Yabbok (Pouring-Forth River) |
H2999-01 |
Judges 11:13 | הַ/יַּבֹּ֖ק | hayaboq | HTd/Np |
the Jabbok | the Pouring-Forth River |
H2999-01 |
Judges 11:22 | הַ/יַּבֹּ֔ק | hayaboq | HTd/Np |
the Jabbok | the Pouring-Forth River |