יְנִיקָה
𐤉𐤍𐤉𐤒𐤄
yᵉnîyqâh
H3242 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A young shoot or sapling, specifically a freshly sprouted twig, branch, or offshoot produced by a plant, especially from the root or base. The term denotes a vigorous new growth, primarily of trees or shrubs, and can also extend figuratively to a young descendant or offspring when used metaphorically. Its meaning centers on the idea of something newly drawn forth or nourished.
Semantic Range
young shoot, sapling, sucker (of a plant); figuratively: young offspring, something newly nourished or developed
Root / Etymology
From the root ינק (y-n-q), whose core meaning is 'to suck, draw nourishment'—as in the act of suckling (an infant at the breast or an animal at the teat). The nominal form יְנִיקָה arises from this root, originally denoting something that draws or is drawn forth for nourishment, and by extension, the shoot or sapling which draws sustenance from the parent plant.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, יְנִיקָה appears primarily in poetic and prophetic contexts to denote new growths or vital saplings, often set in contrast to mature trees (see Isa 53:2). The choice of this word typically connotes youth, fragility, and dependence on source/roots. It may be employed to evoke vulnerability or new potential—e.g., in depictions of the righteous or hope for renewal. Standard translations as 'sucker,' 'shoot,' or 'sapling' capture the basic referent but may miss the inherent connection to the idea of drawing life or nourishment. The term is etymologically and semantically distinct from other words for 'branch' (e.g., זֵרֶם zérem or עָנָף ʿanaf; see also צֶמַח tsemach for messianic/title usage), which may have broader or more specialized ranges. While later rabbinic use and English translation tradition sometimes render related imagery as pertaining to Judeans or later Jewish communities, the biblical term itself carries botanical—even metaphorical—connotations without anachronistic ethnic or religious identity reference. No significant semantic shift is recognizable between monarchic and post-exilic periods for this term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָנַק; a sucker or sapling; young twig.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ינק (y-n-q) — to suck, to draw nourishment
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3126 | יוֹנֵק | like a suckling shoot |
| H3127 | יוֹנֶקֶת | and his suckling shoot |
| H3243 | יָנַק | the nursing one |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3242-01 |
יְנִֽיקוֹתָ֖י/ו | yeniqotayv | HNcfpc/Sp3ms |
young twigs | his nourished shoots | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3242-01 |
Ezekiel 17:4 | יְנִֽיקוֹתָ֖י/ו | yeniqotayv | HNcfpc/Sp3ms |
young twigs | his nourished shoots |