from נָקַב; properly, a perforator, i.e. a hammer (as piercing); also (intransitively) a perforation, i.e. a quarry; hammer, hole.
Transliteration:maqqebeth
Pronunciation:mak-keh'-beth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מַקֶּבֶת (maqqebeth, `{{H4718}}`) derives from the verbal root נָקַב (naqab, `{{H5344}}`), which primarily means "to pierce, bore, perforate." This etymological connection is crucial for understanding the semantic range of maqqebeth. Its core meaning is "a perforator," an instrument designed for making holes or striking with piercing force. This leads directly to its primary concrete meaning: a "hammer" or "mallet," specifically one used for forceful impact and penetration.
Beyond the instrument, maqqebeth also extends to denote the *result* of such an action or the *place* where such actions occur. Thus, it can refer to a "perforation" or "hole" itself, or, by extension, a "quarry" – a place where stone is "pierced" or "hewn" from the earth, leaving a large hole or excavation. This dual semantic range—from the active instrument (hammer) to the passive result or location (hole/quarry)—highlights its versatile application in biblical texts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַקֶּבֶת (maqqebeth, `{{H4718}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance illuminating a distinct facet of its semantic range:
1. **Instrument of Forceful Action (Hammer):** In [[Judges 4:21]], the word describes the tool Jael used to kill Sisera: "Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer (מַקֶּבֶת) in her hand. She went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, until it went down into the ground, while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died." Here, maqqebeth is unequivocally the instrument of striking, a "hammer" or "mallet" used with decisive, penetrating force. The context is one of violent, strategic action leading to the death of an enemy, emphasizing the tool's capacity for impact and piercing.
2. **Place of Excavation/Origin (Quarry):** In [[Isaiah 51:1]], the word takes on a metaphorical and foundational meaning: "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry (מַקֶּבֶת) from which you were dug." In this prophetic passage, maqqebeth refers to the "quarry" or "excavation" from which stone is extracted. The imagery is used metaphorically to refer to Abraham and Sarah, the ancestral "rock" and "quarry" from which the nation of Israel was "hewn" or "dug." This context emphasizes origin, source, and the foundational act of creation or calling into being.
These two occurrences demonstrate the word's remarkable flexibility, embodying both a tool for direct, forceful action and a place signifying deep origins and formation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for מַקֶּבֶת (maqqebeth, `{{H4718}}`) is its root, נָקַב (naqab, `{{H5344}}`), which means "to pierce, bore, perforate," and can also carry the sense of "to designate" or "to curse" (perhaps from the idea of "piercing" a name or making a decisive pronouncement). This root underscores the inherent idea of making an incision or creating an opening, whether physically or verbally.
Other Hebrew words related to tools or excavation include:
* פַּטִּישׁ (paṭṭîš, `{{H6359}}`): Another common word for "hammer," often referring to a blacksmith's hammer. While both maqqebeth and paṭṭîš denote a hammer, maqqebeth specifically emphasizes the *piercing* or *perforating* aspect.
* מַעֲצָד (maʿăṣād, `{{H4720}}`): An "axe" or "mattock," a tool for hewing or shaping.
* חָצַב (ḥāṣab, `{{H2672}}`): A verb meaning "to hew, cut out, quarry," directly related to the action performed at a maqqebeth (quarry).
Conceptually, maqqebeth is linked to:
* **Decisive Action/Judgment:** As seen in Jael's use, it signifies a forceful, unyielding act that brings about a definitive end or change.
* **Origin/Foundation:** In Isaiah, it speaks to the source from which something significant emerges, highlighting the foundational work of God in establishing His people.
* **Creation/Formation:** The act of "hewing" from a quarry implies shaping and bringing into existence.
### Theological Significance
The dual nature of מַקֶּבֶת (maqqebeth, `{{H4718}}`) offers profound theological insights into the character and actions of God.
Firstly, as a "hammer" (as in [[Judges 4:21]]), it can symbolize God's decisive, powerful intervention, often in judgment or for the execution of His will. Just as Jael's hammer brought a definitive end to Sisera, so too does God act with ultimate authority and force against opposition or to bring about justice. This speaks to God's sovereignty and His capacity to pierce through obstacles and bring His purposes to fruition. It reminds us that divine power is not merely abstract but can be intensely practical and impactful in the course of human events.
Secondly, as a "quarry" (as in [[Isaiah 51:1]]), it points to God as the ultimate source and origin of His people. The imagery of being "hewn from the rock" and "dug from the quarry" beautifully illustrates God's foundational work in calling Abraham and Sarah, and by extension, the nation of Israel, into existence. This highlights God's initiative, His creative power, and His faithfulness in establishing His covenant people. It underscores that Israel's identity and existence are rooted not in themselves, but in God's sovereign choice and formative action. This aspect of maqqebeth emphasizes God as the great architect and sculptor of salvation history, who brings forth life and purpose from seemingly barren origins.
Together, these two meanings present a holistic view of God's power: both His ability to shatter and judge, and His capacity to create, form, and establish. The word encapsulates both the forceful, penetrating aspect of divine action and the foundational, originating aspect, revealing a God who is both the righteous judge and the faithful Creator.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַקֶּבֶת (maqqebeth, `{{H4718}}`) carries a rich semantic range, stemming from the root "to pierce." It denotes both a "hammer" (an instrument of forceful, piercing impact) and a "quarry" or "perforation" (the place or result of such an action). Its biblical occurrences beautifully illustrate this duality: in [[Judges 4:21]], it is the decisive "hammer" used by Jael; in [[Isaiah 51:1]], it is the metaphorical "quarry" from which Israel was "hewn," signifying their divine origin and foundation. Theologically, maqqebeth thus encapsulates God's multifaceted power: His capacity for decisive, even judgmental, intervention, and His foundational, creative work in establishing and sustaining His people. It points to a sovereign God who is both the powerful agent of His will and the ultimate source of all being.
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