אַקּוֹ
𐤀𐤒𐤅
ʼaqqôw
H689 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Aqko—a type of wild mountain goat or ibex common to the rocky, arid regions of the ancient Near East, identified specifically as the Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) or a closely related caprine species. The term refers to the slender, sure-footed, horned wild goats known for their agility on cliffs and high places.
Semantic Range
wild ibex, wild goat, slender wild caprid, species of mountain goat
Root / Etymology
From the root אָנַק (ʼānaq), 'to be slender, long, tall, or to stretch.' The noun אַקּוֹ likely denotes the slender appearance and graceful morphology of the wild ibex, in contrast to domestic goats. The word's formation reflects descriptive reference to physical traits rather than domestication or species division. The root meaning emphasizes elongation or slenderness, while the noun specifically identifies a wild, agile caprid.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, אַקּוֹ appears in poetic and descriptive passages (e.g., Deuteronomy 14:5) listing permitted animals for dietary laws. The animal designated is native to the Levant's rugged terrain, notable for its climbing abilities and prominent curved horns (cf. Job 39:1, where a different word—יַעֵל yāʽēl—is used). Later tradition and translation (i.e., LXX, Vulgate) variously rendered Aqko as 'wild goat,' 'ibex,' or simply 'goat.' However, in biblical Israelite context, it referenced a distinct wild, slender caprid—different from the domesticated goat (עֵז ʽēz) and from other similar wild species. Over time, the category of acceptable wild animals in ritual and dietary contexts became interpretively important. English translations often flatten these distinctions, but the original reflects a nuanced zoological knowledge. The term is rare and used specifically, not generically.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from אָנַק; slender, i.e. the ibex; wild goat.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אנק (ʾ-n-q) — to be slender, long, stretched
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H602 | אָנַק | to groan |
| H603 | אֲנָקָה | groaning of |
| H604 | אֲנָקָה | and the wailing-gecko |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H689-01 |
וְ/אַקּ֥וֹ | veaqo | HC/Ncmsa |
and wild goat | slender wild ibex | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H689-01 |
Deuteronomy 14:5 | וְ/אַקּ֥וֹ | veaqo | HC/Ncmsa |
and wild goat | slender wild ibex |