נֹקֵד
𐤍𐤒𐤃
nôqêd
H5349 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A pastoralist who tends, oversees, or manages sheep, flocks, or herds; specifically, one identified by the action of selecting or marking animals, often as a professional or owner. The term carries the implication of shepherding or managing flocks, with a possible nuance of one who is associated with specific breeds, markings, or distinguishing features in the animals.
Semantic Range
flock owner, sheep breeder, manager of sheep or goats, professional herdsman, one who marks or distinguishes animals, especially sheep; in extended usage, a person of notable status in animal husbandry, particularly with sheep
Root / Etymology
From the root נקד (n-q-d), which conveys the notion of marking, spotting, or distinguishing by spots. The participial form נֹקֵד denotes an individual who is engaged in actions related to marking, selecting, or distinguishing animals, commonly applied to those tending or owning spotted sheep or flocks.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נֹקֵד appears infrequently (e.g., Amos 1:1; 2 Kings 3:4), designating individuals with pastoral responsibilities. The word is distinct from רֹעֶה (ro‘eh, 'shepherd'), which emphasizes guiding and pasturing, and from בָּקָר (baqar, 'herdsman, cattleman'), which specifically refers to cattle-tending. נֹקֵד occasionally implies a higher status than ordinary shepherds, potentially indicating the proprietor of flocks or someone who breeds or manages particular sheep types. In Amos 1:1, the prophet’s identification as a נֹקֵד (rather than רֹעֶה) may imply economic standing or a specialized pastoral occupation. In 2 Kings 3:4, Mesha king of Moab is called a נֹקֵד, highlighting large-scale sheep ownership and tribute. English translations like 'herdsman' or 'sheepmaster' can loosely approximate the meaning, but may obscure the word's specialized connotation of marking or selecting, which would have been clear to original hearers. Later usage of the term in Jewish tradition is rare and typically archaic. The English term 'sheepmaster' (used in older translations) narrowly conveys ownership but not the aspect of marking or selection.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
active participle from the same as נָקֹד; a spotter (of sheep or cattle), i.e. the owner or tender (who thus marks them); herdman, sheepmaster.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נקד (n-q-d) — to mark with spots, to distinguish, to select
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4719 | מַקֵּדָה | in Makkedah |
| H5348 | נָקֹד | the spot-marked ones |
| H5350 | נִקֻּד | pricked biscuits |
| H5351 | נְקֻדָּה | spots of |
| H5353 | נְקוֹדָא | Marked-One |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5349-01 |
נֹקֵ֑ד | noqed | HNcmsa |
sheep breeder | flock-marker | 1 |
H5349-02 |
בַ/נֹּקְדִ֖ים | vanoqedim | HRd/Ncmpa |
among the sheep breeders | flock-marking herdsmen | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5349-01 |
2 Kings 3:4 | נֹקֵ֑ד | noqed | HNcmsa |
sheep breeder | flock-marker |
H5349-02 |
Amos 1:1 | בַ/נֹּקְדִ֖ים | vanoqedim | HRd/Ncmpa |
among the sheep breeders | flock-marking herdsmen |