The Hebrew word nâqîyq, represented by H5357, denotes a cleft or hole. Its definition is derived from an unused root that means "to bore." This specific term is used sparingly in scripture, appearing only 3 times across 3 unique verses.
In its biblical usage, H5357 consistently describes a hiding place or crevice within a rock. In Jeremiah, the prophet is commanded to take a girdle and "hide it there in a hole of the rock" by the Euphrates Jeremiah 13:4. This same imagery of concealment appears in a context of judgment, where the LORD declares He will send hunters to find people hiding "out of the holes of the rocks" Jeremiah 16:16. Similarly, Isaiah prophesies that invaders will come and rest "in the holes of the rocks," indicating these places will be overtaken Isaiah 7:19.
Several related words help define the topographical context where a nâqîyq is found:
- H5553 çelaʻ (a craggy rock): This word is intrinsically linked to H5357, appearing with it in all three of its occurrences (Jeremiah 13:4, Jeremiah 16:16, Isaiah 7:19). It signifies the larger geological feature in which the "hole" or "cleft" exists and can also be used figuratively as a fortress or stronghold Psalms 18:2.
- H2022 har (a mountain or range of hills): This term establishes the broader, rugged landscape. In Jeremiah 16:16, the hunting for fugitives takes place on every mountain and hill before focusing on the more specific hiding places in the holes of the rocks.
- H1389 gibʻâh (a hillock; hill, little hill): Used alongside har, this word completes the picture of a vast and difficult terrain. It appears in the same sequence of locations to be scoured for those in hiding Jeremiah 16:16.
The conceptual weight of H5357 is tied to its role in contexts of hiding and judgment.
- A Place of Futile Refuge: The holes in the rocks serve as the last resort for people attempting to escape divine judgment. However, the promise that hunters will find them "out of the holes of the rocks" shows that such hiding places offer no ultimate security Jeremiah 16:16.
- A Location for Symbolic Acts: God uses a hole in the rock as the location for a prophetic sign. By instructing Jeremiah to hide a girdle there, the location becomes part of a divine object lesson for Israel Jeremiah 13:4.
- An Element of a Desolate Landscape: The term is associated with desolate valleys and rugged terrain, not with cities or inhabited areas. Its presence helps paint a picture of a land exposed to invasion and desolation Isaiah 7:19.
In summary, H5357 is a highly specific term for a cleft or hole, used exclusively to describe a feature within a rock. Its limited use is powerful, consistently portraying these crevices as places of concealment, either for a prophetic object or for people hiding in desperation. While a nâqîyq might offer temporary shelter, its biblical context frames it as an insecure refuge within a landscape of judgment and desolation.
TRV