נִקְפָּה
𐤍𐤒𐤐𐤄
niqpâh
H5364 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A cord, band, or rope, especially one used for encircling or binding. In some contexts, may connote a boundary or object that encloses by being wound around, or possibly describe a tool or material used for fastening or securing items together. Usage is rare and may involve material objects in domestic or boundary settings.
Semantic Range
cord, rope, band, object for encircling, potentially a boundary enclosure
Root / Etymology
Root נָקַף (naqaf), meaning 'to go around, encircle, surround.' נִקְפָּה (niqpâh) is a feminine noun form, indicating something that functions to encircle, such as a cord or rope.
Historical & Contextual Notes
נִקְפָּה occurs extremely rarely in the Hebrew Bible, with potentially ambiguous context. Ancient translators (LXX, Vulgate) rendered the term variably, reflecting uncertainty about its precise material reference. Modern lexicography recognizes it as a noun likely denoting a physical object used for encircling, probably a cord or rope. Some English translations have rendered it 'fence,' 'cord,' or 'band.' The underlying root carries the idea of surrounding or going around, closely associating this noun with things that bind or enclose. Notably contrasted with words like חֶבֶל (chevel, 'rope, cord, portion') and עֲבוֹת (avot, 'thick rope, cord'), נִקְפָּה's nuance is specifically in the act of encircling, and context dictates whether emphasis is on enclosure or binding. There is no evidence the term designates a rent (tear) in original usage — that gloss seems to reflect an interpretive tradition rather than lexical meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָקַף; probably a rope (as encircling); rent.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נקף (n-q-p) — go around, encircle, surround
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5362 | נָקַף | causing to encircle |
| H5363 | נֹקֶף | like the knocking-off |
| H8622 | תְּקוּפָה | to the cycle-of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5364-01 |
נִקְפָּה֙ | niqepah | HNcfsa |
rope | encircling cord | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5364-01 |
Isaiah 3:24 | נִקְפָּה֙ | niqepah | HNcfsa |
rope | encircling cord |