the same as נֶקֶב; dell; Nekeb, a place in Palestine; Nekeb.
Transliteration:Neqeb
Pronunciation:neh'-keb
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נֶקֶב (Neqeb), transliterated as Neqeb (`{{H5346}}`), primarily functions as a proper noun, specifically a place name in ancient Israel. Its base definition, however, points to its etymological root: "the same as נֶקֶב," which refers to a "dell" or "cavity." This suggests that the place Nekeb was likely named for a prominent topographical feature in its vicinity—a depression, hollow, or a low-lying area. Thus, the semantic range encompasses both the literal geographical feature (a dell) and its application as a specific geographical identifier. The underlying verbal root נָקַב (naqav, `{{H5344}}`) means "to pierce," "to bore," or "to hollow out," further reinforcing the notion of a depression or an excavated space.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Neqeb (`{{H5346}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joshua:
* **[[Joshua 19:27]]**: "And it turned toward the sunrise to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun and to the Valley of Iphtah-el northward to Beth-emek and Neiel, and it went out to Cabul on the left, and Ebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Great Sidon. Then the boundary turned toward Ramah and to the fortified city of Tyre, then the boundary turned to Hosah, and it ended at the sea; Mahalab, Achzib, Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob; twenty-two cities with their villages." (This is the full context of the verse where "Neqeb" appears in the Masoretic Text, though some translations may render it differently or omit it due to textual variations or interpretations merging it with another place name like "Adami-Nekeb" in some traditions. The specific mention of "Neqeb" as a distinct location is found within the description of the tribal allotment of Naphtali.)
In [[Joshua 19:27]], Neqeb is listed as one of the cities or landmarks defining the border of the tribe of Naphtali. The precise location of Neqeb is debated among scholars due to the ambiguity of ancient place names and the limited number of definitive archaeological identifications. However, its inclusion within the detailed boundary descriptions of Joshua underscores the meticulous nature of the land division and the divine allocation of territory to the Israelite tribes. Its placement alongside other known or conjectured sites (like Beth-dagon, Zebulun, Iphtah-el, Beth-emek, Neiel, Cabul, etc.) helps to reconstruct the geographical understanding of ancient Galilee. The mention of Neqeb, a relatively obscure place, highlights the comprehensive scope of the biblical record regarding the Promised Land.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words to Neqeb (`{{H5346}}`) stem from its root:
* **נָקַב (naqav, `{{H5344}}`)**: This is the verbal root from which Neqeb (`{{H5346}}`) is derived. It means "to pierce," "to bore," "to hollow out," or "to designate by name." The connection to "hollow out" directly supports the "dell" or "cavity" meaning of Neqeb. The sense of "designating by name" is also relevant, as Neqeb itself is a designated place name.
* **נֶקֶב (neqev, `{{H5345}}`)**: This noun, derived from the same root, means "a perforation," "a hole," or "a bore." This further reinforces the idea of an opening or a hollowed-out space, directly linking to the topographical understanding of a "dell" or "cavity."
Beyond linguistic roots, Neqeb (`{{H5346}}`) is conceptually related to other geographical terms found in the Bible that describe depressions or specific landforms:
* **בִּקְעָה (biq'ah, `{{H1237}}`)**: "Valley" or "plain," often a broad, flat depression.
* **גַּיְא (gay', `{{H1516}}`)**: "Valley" or "ravine," typically a narrower, deeper cut in the landscape.
* **שְׁפֵלָה (shephelah, `{{H8219}}`)**: "Lowland," referring to the rolling hills between the central mountains and the coastal plain.
These terms collectively demonstrate the biblical authors' precise vocabulary for describing the diverse topography of the land of Canaan, emphasizing its physical characteristics as part of God's creation and promise.
### Theological Significance
While Neqeb (`{{H5346}}`) itself, as a singular mention of a geographical place, does not carry a direct or explicit theological message, its inclusion in the biblical text is significant within the broader theological framework of the land of Israel.
1. **Divine Providence and Allotment**: The meticulous detailing of tribal boundaries in Joshua, including minor places like Neqeb, underscores the divine ordering and providential distribution of the land. God, through Moses and Joshua, precisely allocated territory to each tribe, fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Every piece of land, including a "dell" named Neqeb, was part of this sacred inheritance. This precision testifies to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His word and His sovereign control over the physical world.
2. **Historical Veracity**: The inclusion of specific, often obscure, geographical markers like Neqeb lends credibility to the biblical narrative. It suggests a historical record rooted in the realities of ancient Israelite settlement, rather than a mythical or generalized account. The Bible's attention to such detail reinforces its claim as a reliable historical document, written by those intimately familiar with the land and its features.
3. **The Land as Inheritance**: The concept of the "Promised Land" is central to Israelite theology. Each city, valley, mountain, and "dell" (Neqeb) was part of this divine gift. The detailed descriptions in Joshua emphasize the tangible nature of this inheritance, a physical space where God's people were to live out their covenant relationship with Him. Even a seemingly minor place like Neqeb contributes to the comprehensive picture of a land given by God, a place of dwelling, worship, and national identity.
### Summary
Neqeb (`{{H5346}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, specifically a geographical place name, appearing once in the book of [[Joshua 19:27]]. Its etymological root points to the meaning "dell" or "cavity," suggesting the place was named after a topographical depression. Linguistically, it is closely related to the verb נָקַב (naqav, `{{H5344}}`), meaning "to pierce" or "to hollow out," and the noun נֶקֶב (neqev, `{{H5345}}`), meaning "a perforation" or "hole." Contextually, Neqeb is listed as a boundary marker within the tribal allotment of Naphtali, highlighting the meticulous detail of the land division in the book of Joshua. While not bearing direct theological significance in itself, its inclusion underscores the divine providence in the precise allocation of the Promised Land, reinforces the historical veracity of the biblical narrative, and contributes to the overall understanding of the land as a sacred inheritance given by God to His people.
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