אֲפֵק
𐤀𐤐𐤒
Afeq
H663 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating several different fortified sites or settlements in the Hebrew Bible named Aphek (or Aphik). The term is derived from a root meaning 'strength' or 'fortification,' hence the name likely refers to a location characterized by strength, a stronghold, or a fortified city. In narrative and geographic contexts, refers specifically to sites associated with military encounters or strategic positions.
Semantic Range
proper place name signifying a stronghold or fortified location, designation for different towns in various tribal territories, name given to sites of military significance; does not occur as a common noun in this form
Root / Etymology
From the root אָפַק (ʼ-f-q), which principally connotes 'to be strong,' 'stronghold,' or 'fortify.' The noun form, as a place name, likely signifies 'fortress' or 'fortified place.' The vowel variation between אֲפֵק and אֲפִיק in the transmitted text reflects common spelling variations in proper nouns.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, multiple locations are named Aphek, each occurring in distinct regions and historical settings—e.g., a Philistine muster point near Ebenezer (1 Sam 4), a northern site near Jezreel (1 Kings 20), and a location in the territory assigned to Asher (Josh 19:30). The underlying meaning of the name emphasizes the site's fortified character, but the biblical text does not provide explicit details about the construction or strength of these sites. Over time, translation and tradition have maintained the transliterated place name 'Aphek,' with occasional substitution (e.g., 'fortress') in interpretation. The later English word 'Palestine' does not reflect political-religious realities of the Iron Age and is retained here only as a geographic term for reference. Each Aphek must be distinguished contextually based on narrative, tribal territory, and associated events. The related noun אָפִיק (aphik) more commonly means 'channel' or 'bed (of a stream),' reflecting a separate semantic development despite the shared root.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or אֲפִיק; from אָפַק (in the sense of strength); fortress; Aphek (or Aphik), the name of three places in Palestine; Aphek, Aphik.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אפק (ʾ-p-q) — strength, holding firm, fortifying
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H650 | אָפִיק | his streambeds |
| H662 | אָפַק | I restrain myself |
| H664 | אֲפֵקָה | and Aphekah |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H663-02 |
אֲפֵ֑קָ/ה | afeqah | HNp/Sd |
Aphek | Fortress-Place | 4 |
H663-05 |
וַ/אֲפֵ֖ק | vaafeq | HC/Np |
and Aphek | Stronghold-Fortress | 2 |
H663-01 |
אֲפֵק֙ | afeq | HNp |
of Aphek | Stronghold | 1 |
H663-03 |
אֲפִ֖יק | afiq | HNp |
Aphek | Stronghold | 1 |
H663-04 |
בַּ/אֲפֵ֖ק | baafeq | HR/Np |
at Aphek | Stronghold (Aphek) | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H663-01 |
Joshua 12:18 | אֲפֵק֙ | afeq | HNp |
of Aphek | Stronghold |
H663-02 |
Joshua 13:4 | אֲפֵ֑קָ/ה | afeqah | HNp/Sd |
Aphek | Fortress-Place |
H663-05 |
Joshua 19:30 | וַ/אֲפֵ֖ק | vaafeq | HC/Np |
and Aphek | Stronghold-Fortress |
H663-03 |
Judges 1:31 | אֲפִ֖יק | afiq | HNp |
Aphek | Stronghold |
H663-05 |
1 Samuel 4:1 | בַ/אֲפֵֽק | vaafeq | HR/Np |
in Aphek | Stronghold-Fortress |
H663-02 |
1 Samuel 29:1 | אֲפֵ֑קָ/ה | afeqah | HNp/Sd |
Aphek | Fortress-Place |
H663-02 |
1 Kings 20:26 | אֲפֵ֔קָ/ה | afeqah | HNp/Sd |
to Aphek | Fortress-Place |
H663-02 |
1 Kings 20:30 | אֲפֵקָ/ה֮ | afeqah | HNp/Sd |
to Aphek | Fortress-Place |
H663-04 |
2 Kings 13:17 | בַּ/אֲפֵ֖ק | baafeq | HR/Np |
at Aphek | Stronghold (Aphek) |