from נָקַף; probably a rope (as encircling); rent.
Transliteration:niqpâh
Pronunciation:nik-paw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H5364 (niqpâh) is derived from the root נָקַף (naqaph, `{{H5362}}`). The root naqaph carries a range of meanings, including "to strike off," "to cut off," "to sever," "to surround," or "to go around." Given this foundational meaning, H5364 most directly conveys the sense of something "rent" or "torn," aligning with the "cutting off" or "severing" aspect of its root. While the base definition also suggests "probably a rope (as encircling)," this secondary nuance likely relates to the root's sense of encompassing, perhaps implying a binding or encircling element that is then broken or severed. In its sole biblical appearance, the meaning of being "rent" or "torn" is paramount, denoting a state of disrepair or damage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H5364 (niqpâh) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, found in the book of Isaiah:
* [[Isaiah 3:24]]: "And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty."
In this verse, niqpâh is presented as a direct antithesis to "a girdle" (חֲגוֹרָה, H2289). The context is a prophetic oracle pronounced by Isaiah against the "daughters of Zion," signifying the women of Jerusalem. The passage describes a series of reversals where items of luxury, beauty, and status are replaced by symbols of degradation, mourning, and shame. A "girdle" was often an elaborate and costly item, indicative of wealth and social standing. Its replacement by a "rent" (niqpâh) vividly portrays a state of ruin, poverty, and humiliation. This single, powerful usage firmly establishes niqpâh as a concrete symbol of the devastating consequences of divine judgment, transforming former splendor into utter disgrace.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root נָקַף (naqaph, `{{H5362}}`):** The verb naqaph frequently denotes the action of striking or cutting, as seen in [[Isaiah 10:33]] where God "shall cut down the thickets of the forest." It can also signify making a circuit or surrounding, as in [[Job 1:5]] where Job's sons "had gone about" (encircled) their feasting days. The meaning of H5364 as "rent" aligns with the "cutting off" aspect of the root, implying a violent separation or tearing.
* **Words for Tearing/Rending:** Other Hebrew words, such as קָרַע (qara, `{{H7167}}`, "to tear, rend"), are commonly used to describe the act of tearing garments, often as a sign of grief, distress, or repentance (e.g., [[Genesis 37:34]], [[Joel 2:13]]). While H5364 is not a verb, it describes the *result* of such an action or a state of being torn, particularly in a context of degradation.
* **Symbols of Mourning and Degradation:** The immediate context of [[Isaiah 3:24]] places niqpâh alongside other potent symbols of distress and humiliation: "stink" instead of sweet smell, "baldness" instead of well-set hair, "sackcloth" instead of a stomacher, and "burning" (perhaps a brand or a mark of shame) instead of beauty. These elements collectively paint a picture of utter reversal and public shame.
* **Girdle (חֲגוֹרָה, `{{H2289}}`):** The direct contrast in [[Isaiah 3:24]] highlights the girdle as a significant item of personal adornment, status, and readiness. Its replacement by a niqpâh underscores the loss of these very qualities.
### Theological Significance
The solitary appearance of H5364 (niqpâh) in [[Isaiah 3:24]] imbues it with profound theological significance within the framework of divine judgment and prophetic warning.
* **Divine Judgment and Reversal:** Niqpâh serves as a tangible manifestation of God's righteous judgment against human pride, vanity, and rebellion. It symbolizes the radical reversal of fortunes, where outward splendor is stripped away, replaced by ignominy and ruin. This speaks to the principle that God will humble the proud and bring low those who exalt themselves.
* **Symbol of Humiliation and Disgrace:** The "rent" garment or state of being torn represents the stripping away of dignity and honor. It is a visual metaphor for the public shame and degradation that accompanies divine chastisement, emphasizing that the very things in which people found their pride will become sources of their humiliation.
* **Prophetic Warning:** As part of Isaiah's oracle against Jerusalem, niqpâh functions as a vivid warning. It illustrates the transient nature of worldly comforts and human adornments when confronted with God's justice. It underscores the futility of trusting in outward appearances or material wealth rather than in the Lord. The prophecy serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the ultimate sovereignty of God, who can bring down the mighty and humble the arrogant.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5364 (niqpâh), derived from the root נָקַף (naqaph, `{{H5362}}` "to cut off, surround"), is unique in its biblical occurrence, appearing solely in [[Isaiah 3:24]]. Here, it is translated as "rent," powerfully conveying the sense of something torn or severed. In the context of Isaiah's prophecy against the proud women of Jerusalem, niqpâh stands in stark opposition to a "girdle," a symbol of beauty and status. This juxtaposition underscores a dramatic reversal from luxury and dignity to degradation and shame, emblematic of divine judgment. Theologically, H5364 vividly illustrates the consequences of God's righteous indignation, symbolizing the humiliation, loss, and stripping away of worldly pride. It serves as a potent reminder of the ephemeral nature of human adornments and the inevitability of God's just recompense for sin.
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