from the same as נָקֹד; a crumb (as broken to spots); also a biscuit (as pricked); cracknel, mouldy.
Transliteration:niqqud
Pronunciation:nik-kood'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term niqqud (`{{H5350}}`) derives from the root נקד (naqad, `{{H5349}}`), which fundamentally conveys the idea of being "spotted" or "pricked." This etymological connection informs the semantic range of niqqud. The base definition describes it as "a crumb (as broken to spots)" or "a biscuit (as pricked)." The associated terms "cracknel" and "mouldy" further delineate its potential meanings. "Cracknel" suggests a crisp, brittle baked good, likely one that is dotted or pricked during preparation. The notion of "mouldy" introduces a less common, potentially negative connotation of decay or imperfection, though this aspect is not prominent in its sole biblical occurrence. Primarily, niqqud refers to a small, often fragmented, or distinctively textured piece of baked food.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word niqqud (`{{H5350}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[1 Kings 14:3]]. The context is significant: Jeroboam's wife, disguised, goes to the prophet Ahijah in Shiloh to inquire about the fate of her sick son. She is instructed to bring a gift, and niqqud is listed among the items: "Take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child."
In this passage, niqqud is translated as "cracknels." These are presented as common, perhaps humble, food items suitable for a simple offering or provisions for a journey. The selection of these particular items—bread, cracknels, and honey—suggests a modest, unpretentious gift, perhaps intended to conceal the royal identity of Jeroboam's wife. The "spotted" or "pricked" characteristic likely refers to the texture of a type of biscuit or small cake, possibly perforated during baking to achieve a specific crispness. In this specific context, the term carries no negative connotation of being "mouldy"; rather, it describes a specific type of baked good.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relative to niqqud (`{{H5350}}`) is its root, naqad (`{{H5349}}`), meaning "spotted" or "speckled." This root is famously used in the account of Jacob's flocks, where he manipulated the breeding of sheep and goats to produce "spotted and speckled" offspring ([[Genesis 30:32-39]]). This connection reinforces the primary sense of niqqud as something characterized by dots or marks on its surface.
Other related concepts include:
* לחם (lechem, `{{H3899}}`): The general term for "bread" or "food," often appearing alongside niqqud in [[1 Kings 14:3]].
* מנחה (minchah, `{{H4503}}`): A "gift" or "offering," particularly a grain offering, which the items brought by Jeroboam's wife effectively constitute.
* צידה (tsaydah, `{{H6720}}`): "Provisions" for a journey, which these food items could also serve as.
* The broader category of baked goods and humble provisions in ancient Israelite life.
### Theological Significance
Given its singular occurrence and descriptive nature, niqqud (`{{H5350}}`) does not carry profound theological weight in itself. Its significance is primarily contextual and illustrative:
* **Humility in Seeking Divine Counsel:** The modest nature of the offering (loaves, cracknels, honey) brought by Jeroboam's wife, despite her royal status, underscores a theme of humility, or perhaps an attempt at discretion, when approaching a prophet of God. It suggests that divine interaction is not contingent upon grand displays of wealth but can be accessed through simple, everyday provisions.
* **God's Engagement with the Mundane:** The inclusion of such a commonplace item as "cracknels" in a significant biblical narrative highlights how God's dealings with humanity often intersect with the ordinary and mundane aspects of life. The divine revelation to Ahijah, concerning the fate of Jeroboam's son, unfolds within the context of a very human, unpretentious interaction.
* **Symbol of Simplicity:** The "cracknels" represent a basic, perhaps even rustic, form of sustenance. This contrasts sharply with the pomp and power associated with Jeroboam's kingship, subtly emphasizing the spiritual reality that earthly power and material wealth hold no sway before the divine.
### Summary
Niqqud (`{{H5350}}`) is a Hebrew term referring to a type of baked good, specifically "cracknels," characterized by a "pricked" or "spotted" texture. Its single biblical appearance in [[1 Kings 14:3]] describes it as part of a humble offering brought by Jeroboam's wife to the prophet Ahijah. Derived from the root naqad (`{{H5349}}`) meaning "spotted," the word primarily functions as a descriptive noun for a simple food item. Theologically, its significance lies in the context of a modest offering, illustrating God's engagement with the ordinary aspects of human life and the theme of humility in seeking divine counsel, rather than possessing intrinsic symbolic meaning.
TRV