עׇקְבָה
𐤏𐤒𐤁𐤄
ʻoqbâh
H6122 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Feminine noun meaning 'deceit, cunning, trickery,' specifically referring to actions or schemes characterized by craftiness or underhandedness. In narrative contexts, it denotes the exercise of scheming or guile, typically with negative connotation. While always related to acts of shrewd deception, the term can refer both to planned strategies and to moments of clever, misleading action.
Semantic Range
trickery, cunning, deceit, guile, craftiness, subtlety
Root / Etymology
From the root עקב (ʻ-q-b), meaning 'to supplant, to follow at the heel, to circumvent.' The noun עׇקְבָה is the feminine form, based on a rarely attested or unattested verbal stem or nominal pattern, and is directly related to עָקֵב (ʻāqēv), 'heel.' The metaphor of 'trickery' comes from the concept of following at the heel or overtaking by stealth, as with Jacob (Yaʿaqov) supplanting Esau.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Genesis 27:35), עׇקְבָה is used to denote acts of cunning or deceit, often with a focus on the effectiveness of shrewdness in achieving one's goals. Its use is largely confined to narrative settings where the action of supplanting or deceiving is highlighted, and it is typically viewed pejoratively. The root עקב provides the basis for several significant names and themes in biblical narrative, such as Yaʿaqov (Jacob), but עׇקְבָה itself specifically highlights the act or quality of trickery rather than the personal name. Unlike related words for deception such as מִרְמָה (mirmāh), which can refer more generally to any type of fraud or falsehood, עׇקְבָה carries a shade of strategic cunning, often tied to the notion of taking advantage by indirect means. Later translations sometimes render the term as 'subtlety' or 'guile,' and in Jewish tradition, it is often associated with the particular mode of cleverness attributed to Jacob, but the core meaning in its biblical context remains closely linked to active, effective trickery rather than just passive craftiness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of an unused form from עָקַב meaning a trick; trickery; subtilty.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עקב (ʿ-q-b) — to supplant, follow at the heel, circumvent, deceive
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3290 | יַעֲקֹב | in Yaʿaqov the Heel-Grasper |
| H3291 | יַעֲקֹבָה | and Yaʿaqobah |
| H6117 | עָקַב | he supplanted |
| H6118 | עֵקֶב | consequence |
| H6119 | עָקֵב | heel |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6122-01 |
בְ/עָקְבָּ֔ה | veaqebah | HR/Ncfsa |
in-cunning | cunning trickery | in cunning | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6122-01 |
2 Kings 10:19 | בְ/עָקְבָּ֔ה | veaqebah | HR/Ncfsa |
in-cunning | cunning trickery | in cunning |