אָבַק
𐤀𐤁𐤒
ʼâbaq
H79 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To grapple, wrestle, engage in a physical struggle, typically referring to close bodily combat such as that described in narrative settings. The core meaning involves the act of engaging intensively and physically with another, often resulting in being covered with dust because of the struggle. The semantic range includes literal and metaphorical uses for wrestling, struggling, or contending.
Semantic Range
to wrestle, to grapple, to physically struggle, to engage in close bodily combat
Root / Etymology
The word derives from the root אָבָק (dust), suggesting an action that stirs up dust, i.e., to wrestle or physically struggle in a manner that causes dust to rise. The verb is used as a denominative form based on the noun for 'dust.' The root core meaning is 'dust' (אבק), while the verb form developed the meaning 'to wrestle' by association with actions performed close to the ground.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אָבַק is a rare verb, most notably attested in Genesis 32:25–26 in the story of Jacob wrestling at night. The association between wrestling and dust arises from the close, bodily nature of the combat and the typical outdoor, unpaved settings. In later biblical Hebrew, the verb does not develop extended metaphorical senses, and its usage is confined predominantly to narrative and poetic descriptions of physical struggle. English translations often render it as 'wrestle,' but the imagery of raising dust highlights its original nuance. In post-biblical Hebrew, more common words for fighting or struggling appear, narrowing the attestation of אָבַק almost exclusively to the early narrative context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root, probably to float away (as vapor), but used only as denominative from אָבָק; to bedust, i.e. grapple; wrestle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אבק (ʾ-b-q) — dust, covering with dust, dust-raised struggle
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H79-01 |
בְּ/הֵֽאָבְק֖/וֹ | beheaveqo | HR/VNc/Sp3ms |
as he wrestled with him | his grappling | 1 |
H79-02 |
וַ/יֵּאָבֵ֥ק | vayeaveq | HC/VNw3ms |
could prevail / could overcome | and he was dust-grappling | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H79-02 |
Genesis 32:25 | וַ/יֵּאָבֵ֥ק | vayeaveq | HC/VNw3ms |
could prevail / could overcome | and he was dust-grappling |
H79-01 |
Genesis 32:26 | בְּ/הֵֽאָבְק֖/וֹ | beheaveqo | HR/VNc/Sp3ms |
as he wrestled with him | his grappling |