יָקַע

yâqaʻ /yaw-kah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · properly, to sever oneself, i.e. (by implication) to be dislocated
Meaningfiguratively, to abandon; causatively, to impale (and thus allow to drop to pieces by rotting)
KJV usagebe alienated, depart, hang (up), be out of joint.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word yâqaʻ, represented by H3363, is a primitive root with a range of intense meanings. It appears 8 times across 8 unique verses. Its core meaning is to sever or dislocate, extending figuratively to concepts of alienation and abandonment, and causatively to the act of impaling or hanging as a form of execution.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H3363 is used in several distinct and powerful contexts. It describes a physical injury in the account of Jacob, whose thigh was put out of joint H3363 during his wrestling match Genesis 32:25. Figuratively, it conveys divine separation, as when God warns that his soul will depart H3363 from Jerusalem Jeremiah 6:8 or when His mind is alienated H3363 from the unfaithful sisters in Ezekiel's allegory (Ezekiel 23:17, Ezekiel 23:18). It is also used to command a severe form of capital punishment, as when Moses is told to take the heads of the people and hang them up H3363 before the Lord Numbers 25:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H3363 is found:

  • H5361 nâqaʻ (be alienated): This word is used in parallel with H3363 to emphasize the intensity of God's separation from his people due to their unfaithfulness. In Ezekiel 23:18, God's mind is alienated H3363 from the allegorical sister, just as it was alienated H5361 from the first.
  • H5060 nâgaʻ (touch): This word describes the action that directly leads to the physical dislocation in Genesis. The divine being touched H5060 Jacob's thigh, causing it to be put out of joint H3363, linking the touch to its powerful consequence Genesis 32:25.
  • H3947 lâqach (take): This term often precedes the act of judgment associated with H3363. In response to Israel's sin, the Lord commands Moses to take H3947 the leaders and hang them up H3363, showing a sequence of divine justice Numbers 25:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3363 is significant, highlighting themes of judgment, separation, and the consequences of sin.

  • Alienation from God: The word starkly portrays the result of spiritual pollution. In Ezekiel, it is after Israel has been defiled H2930 by her idolatry that God's mind becomes alienated H3363 from her, illustrating that sin creates a profound separation from the divine presence Ezekiel 23:17.
  • Execution as Atonement: The use of H3363 for hanging serves as a method of public judgment meant to turn away God's "fierce anger" Numbers 25:4. This demonstrates a principle where sin requires a decisive and visible punishment to restore order and appease divine wrath.
  • Lasting Mark of a Divine Encounter: Jacob's hip being put out of joint H3363 is not merely an injury but a permanent physical reminder of his struggle with and blessing from God, signifying a life forever changed by a divine encounter Genesis 32:25.

Summary

In summary, H3363 is a powerful and severe term. It encompasses physical dislocation, the emotional and spiritual reality of alienation, and the finality of execution. Through its varied uses, yâqaʻ illustrates the tangible consequences of both divine encounters and human rebellion, linking physical states to profound spiritual truths about judgment and separation.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 8 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 3×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 1st Plural common gender 1×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hophal Participle Passive Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hophal
The passive of the causative (Hiphil) stem.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 5 books. Most frequent in 2 Samuel (3 verses).

1
Genesis
1
Numbers
3
2 Samuel
1
Jeremiah
2
Ezekiel

Verse Explorer

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