Word Study for H5073 (נִדְבָּךְ)

nidbâk /nid-bawk'/ Ask about this word

Meaning(Aramaic) from a root meaning to stick; a layer (of building materials)

KJV usagerow.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nidbâk — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word nidbâk, represented by H5073, defines a row or a layer of building materials. Derived from a root meaning to stick, it appears 2 times within 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its usage is highly specific, referring to the structured courses of materials used in construction.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole biblical context for H5073 is in the decree concerning the rebuilding of the house of God in Jerusalem. In Ezra 6:4, the instructions specify the construction method: "With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber". Here, nidbâk is used to delineate the distinct layers of the foundation and walls, establishing a precise architectural plan that alternates between massive stones and fresh wood.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its only context help clarify the meaning of H5073:

H1560 gᵉlâl (great): This word describes the stones used in the rows as being of significant weight or size Ezra 6:4.
H69 ʼeben (stone): As the primary material mentioned, stone forms the three rows that constitute the bulk of the structure being described Ezra 6:4.
H636 ʼâʻ (timber, wood): This term identifies the material for the alternate row, specified as new timber, creating a layered pattern with the stone Ezra 6:4.
H8532 tᵉlâth (three): This number directly quantifies the courses of stone, indicating "three rows" are to be laid Ezra 6:4.

Theological Significance

While a technical term, the significance of H5073 is found in its context of sacred rebuilding.

Architectural Precision: The use of nidbâk is part of a specific building plan, emphasizing that the reconstruction of God's house was not haphazard but followed an ordered and divinely sanctioned design Ezra 6:4.
Structural Composition: The word highlights a particular construction style, layering rows of great stones (H1560, H69) with a row of new timber (H2323, H636). This points to a concern for both strength and specificity in the work.
Royal Decree: Its inclusion in the king's decree shows the formal and authoritative nature of the instructions for rebuilding, with the term providing a crucial detail for the builders to follow Ezra 6:4.

Summary

In summary, H5073 nidbâk is a precise Aramaic architectural term for a row or layer. Its single appearance in scripture is pivotal to the account in Ezra, where it provides a clear and authoritative instruction for the method of rebuilding the house of God. It demonstrates how even a rare, technical word can offer significant insight into the care, order, and authority behind key events in biblical history.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

נִדְבָּכִין
נִדְבָּךְ

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Ezra — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.