from נָקַב; female (from the sexual form); female.
Transliteration:nᵉqêbâh
Pronunciation:nek-ay-baw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word nᵉqêbâh (`{{H5347}}`) is derived from the root nāqab (`{{H5344}}`), which carries the primary meaning of "to pierce," "to perforate," or "to mark out." This etymological connection is significant, suggesting that the "female" is distinguished or marked out by her physical form, particularly her sexual characteristics.
The core meaning of nᵉqêbâh is "female." It functions as a noun or an adjective (implicitly, "the female one") and denotes the biological sex, specifically distinguishing the female from the male within a species. Its semantic range is quite narrow, almost exclusively referring to gender, whether human or animal. It stands in direct contrast to zākār (זָכָר, `{{H2145}}`), "male."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term nᵉqêbâh (`{{H5347}}`) appears predominantly in the Pentateuch, especially in Genesis, Leviticus, and Numbers. Its occurrences are crucial for understanding the biblical perspectives on creation, reproduction, and ritual law.
* **Creation Narrative:** Its first and arguably most foundational appearance is in the creation account: "male and female he created them" ([[Genesis 1:27]]). This verse establishes the binary distinction of sexes as part of God's original design for humanity, reflecting His image. This is reiterated in [[Genesis 5:2]], where God blesses them and names them "Mankind" (אָדָם, adam). This highlights the equal standing of both sexes in bearing the divine image.
* **Procreation and Preservation of Life:** In the context of the Noahic covenant and instructions for the ark, nᵉqêbâh is used to specify that animals should enter "male and female" ([[Genesis 6:19]], [[Genesis 7:3]], [[Genesis 7:9]], [[Genesis 7:16]]), ensuring the continuation of life. This underscores the female's indispensable role in procreation and the preservation of species.
* **Laws of Purity and Sacrifice:** In Leviticus and Numbers, nᵉqêbâh is crucial for distinguishing between male and female animals required for various sacrifices ([[Leviticus 3:1]], [[Leviticus 3:6]], [[Leviticus 4:28]], [[Leviticus 5:6]], [[Leviticus 27:4]], [[Leviticus 27:7]]). The sex of the animal often dictated the specific offering or its value. For instance, a female lamb or goat was specified for certain sin offerings.
* **Human Purity Laws:** In [[Leviticus 12:5]], it distinguishes the period of ritual impurity after the birth of a female child, which is twice as long as after the birth of a male child. This distinction, while complex, was part of a broader system of ritual purity designed to teach holiness and the sanctity of life within the Mosaic covenant.
* **Census and Vows:** In Numbers, nᵉqêbâh appears in contexts relating to census taking or assigning value for vows, where specific values are assigned based on age and sex, with females often valued differently than males ([[Numbers 5:3]]).
Throughout its occurrences, nᵉqêbâh consistently functions as a precise biological descriptor, essential for understanding divine commands regarding creation, procreation, and ritual practice.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **zākār (זָכָר, `{{H2145}}`):** This is the direct antonym of nᵉqêbâh, meaning "male." The pairing zākār u-nᵉqêbâh ("male and female") forms a fundamental binary in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the creation accounts, emphasizing complementarity.
* **'ishshah (אִשָּׁה, `{{H802}}`):** While nᵉqêbâh refers to the biological sex "female," 'ishshah is the general word for "woman" or "wife." An nᵉqêbâh is biologically female, but an 'ishshah carries broader social, relational, and marital connotations within human society.
* **'adam (אָדָם, `{{H120}}`):** This term for "humankind" or "man" (generic) is used in [[Genesis 1:27]] to encompass both zākār and nᵉqêbâh, emphasizing the unity of humanity despite sexual differentiation.
* **chayyâh (חַיָּה, `{{H2416}}`):** "Living creature" or "animal." nᵉqêbâh is often used in conjunction with this word to specify female animals, highlighting the application of the sex distinction across species.
* **Distinction and Differentiation:** The concept embedded in nᵉqêbâh highlights God's design for differentiation within creation. This distinction is not presented as a basis for inherent inferiority or superiority, but as a foundation for complementarity, procreation, and the ordered functioning of the created world.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of nᵉqêbâh (`{{H5347}}`) is profound, especially in its foundational appearance in the book of Genesis.
* **Divine Design and Complementarity:** The creation of "male and female" ([[Genesis 1:27]]) is presented as an intentional act of God, essential to the *imago Dei*. Both sexes, equally created in God's image, are necessary to fully reflect the divine nature and fulfill the divine mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" ([[Genesis 1:28]]). This establishes a theology of complementarity, where both sexes are distinct yet interdependent, rather than one being inherently superior to the other in essence.
* **Procreation and Continuation of Life:** The designation of nᵉqêbâh is inextricably linked to the divine command to be fruitful and multiply. The female capacity for bearing offspring is central to God's plan for filling the earth and continuing the human and animal populations. This highlights the sacredness of life and the divinely ordained means of its propagation.
* **Order and Distinction in Creation:** The precise use of nᵉqêbâh in the Mosaic Law underscores God's meticulous concern for order and distinction within His creation. Whether in sacrificial regulations or purity laws, the differentiation by sex is part of a larger system that teaches Israel about holiness, separation, and the structure of their covenant relationship with God. These distinctions, while sometimes challenging to modern sensibilities, served to mark Israel as a people set apart, living under divine instruction.
* **Covenant Fidelity:** In contexts like the census or vows, the precise accounting for males and females reflects the detailed nature of God's covenant with Israel, where every individual and every aspect of life was brought under divine purview and value.
### Summary
The Hebrew word nᵉqêbâh (`{{H5347}}`) unequivocally refers to the "female" sex, derived from a root suggesting "marking out" or "distinction." Its primary usage in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Pentateuch, underscores its significance in three key areas:
1. **Creation:** It establishes the fundamental binary of "male and female" as part of God's original, intentional design for humanity and all living creatures, both created in the divine image and necessary for fulfilling the mandate to be fruitful and multiply ([[Genesis 1:27]], [[Genesis 5:2]]).
2. **Procreation:** It highlights the essential role of the female in the continuation of life, crucial for the preservation of species through the Noahic flood and for the ongoing human population.
3. **Mosaic Law:** It functions as a precise biological descriptor within ritual laws concerning sacrifices, purity, and vows, demonstrating God's meticulous order and the importance of distinction in Israel's covenant life.
Theologically, nᵉqêbâh speaks to God's wise design, the sacredness of life, the principle of complementarity, and the detailed nature of His covenant instructions, all contributing to a comprehensive understanding of creation and holiness.
TRV