English · KJV
H5235

נֶכֶר

neker /neh'-ker/ Ask about this word
Rootor נֹכֶר · from נָכַר
Meaningsomething strange, i.e. unexpected calamity
KJV usagestrange.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of neker — 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 Hebrew word neker, represented by H5235, defines something strange or an unexpected calamity. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Based on its root, it conveys the idea of a strange event, specifically a disastrous one.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H5235 is used to describe severe and unusual misfortune. In Job, it is used to question whether a strange punishment is not the deserved fate for the workers of iniquity Job 31:3. In Obadiah, the term describes the calamitous state of Judah, where Edom is condemned for having "looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger" Obadiah 1:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the situations where neker appears:

  • H343 ʼêyd (calamity, destruction): This word for misfortune or ruin is used alongside neker in Job's question about the fate of the wicked Job 31:3. It is also used to warn that the "day of their calamity is at hand" for the unrighteous Deuteronomy 32:35.
  • H205 ʼâven (iniquity, vanity, wickedness): Signifying trouble and wickedness, this term identifies those who receive a "strange punishment" in Job 31:3 as "workers of iniquity." It is also used to describe sin that must be forsaken Isaiah 55:7.
  • H7200 râʼâh (to see, look, behold): This verb is central to the warning in Obadiah 1:12, where Edom is told they should not have looked upon their brother's strange calamity. The act of seeing is contrasted with God, who does not see as man sees 1 Samuel 16:7.
  • H8055 sâmach (to be glad, rejoice): This word is used negatively in Obadiah 1:12, forbidding Edom to have rejoiced over Judah's downfall. This stands in contrast to its frequent use for righteous joy, such as the command to rejoice in the LORD Joel 2:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5235 is concentrated on divine justice and human responsibility.

  • Consequence of Sin: The term is explicitly linked to divine retribution. It describes a "strange punishment" that is fitting for the "workers of iniquity" Job 31:3, establishing it as a consequence of wickedness.
  • The Sin of Callousness: The word's use in Obadiah 1:12 highlights the moral failure of gloating over another's downfall. To look upon and rejoice when a brother becomes a stranger through calamity is presented as a punishable offense.
  • Unexpected Judgment: As its definition implies, neker points to a calamity that is strange or unexpected. It characterizes the shocking nature of judgment that befalls both the wicked and those who have suffered a great disaster.

Summary

In summary, H5235 is a specific and powerful term for a calamity that renders one a stranger in their own misfortune. Though rare, its usage in scripture clearly connects the concepts of unusual disaster, divine judgment for iniquity, and the profound moral error of rejoicing in the suffering of others. It illustrates how a single event can be both a punishment for the wicked and a test of character for those who witness it.

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.

  • נֵכֶר
  • נָכְר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H343 אֵיד from the same as אוּד (in the sense of bending down); oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin; calamity, destruction H205 אָוֶן from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence, to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught); str H7200 רָאָה a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransit H8055 שָׂמַח a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome; cheer up, be (

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

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job and Obadiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Job
1
Obadiah

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.