נֶקֶב
𐤍𐤒𐤁
neqeb
H5345 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A groove or perforation, specifically a cavity, groove, or socket into which something is set; in biblical usage, most often refers to the groove or socket in jewelry settings—the channel or hollow in which a gem would be placed (i.e., a bezel). Also used for an opening, orifice, or tube-like structure (e.g., a pipe or conduit, particularly in architectural context). The term emphasizes the hollow or penetrated nature of the object described.
Semantic Range
groove or socket (in jewelry), bezel (in gem setting), cavity, opening, orifice, tube or pipe (in architectural or engineering context), hollow, channel
Root / Etymology
From the root נקב (n-q-b), meaning 'to pierce, bore through, perforate.' The noun נֶקֶב derives from this root, carrying the sense of something bored, pierced, or hollowed out. The word signifies the result of piercing or boring, i.e., the resulting hole, groove, socket, or opening.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical Hebrew, נֶקֶב appears primarily in contexts describing precious objects—especially jewelry settings, indicating the groove or socket crafted to receive a stone. It can also describe architectural or engineered openings, the channel or tube through which something passes (cf. 1 Kings 7:31 where it describes part of the bronze basin's structure). The word is thematically related to נקב as a verb ('to pierce, bore, make a hole'), but should be distinguished from other nouns for 'hole' (e.g., חֹר Chōr, פֶּתַח petaḥ for 'opening' or 'doorway'). English translations, rendering it as 'bezel' or 'pipe,' often reflect the object type but may not capture the technicality of 'the hollow or groove formed to receive/hold something.' Later Hebrew preserves derivatives with similar meanings, such as 'orifice' or 'aperture.' The term has a technical, artisan nuance in biblical contexts and is not a general synonym for 'hole.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a bezel (for a gem); pipe.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נקב (n-q-b) — to pierce, perforate, bore through, make a hole
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4717 | מַקָּבָה | and piercing-hammers |
| H4718 | מַקֶּבֶת | the piercing-hammer |
| H5344 | נָקַב | in his piercing |
| H5346 | נֶקֶב | the Pierced-Pass |
| H5347 | נְקֵבָה | to the female |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5345-01 |
וּ/נְקָבֶ֨י/ךָ֙ | uneqaveykha | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms |
and your engravings | and your pierced-sockets | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5345-01 |
Ezekiel 28:13 | וּ/נְקָבֶ֨י/ךָ֙ | uneqaveykha | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms |
and your engravings | and your pierced-sockets |