from נָקַר, a fissure; {to bore (penetrate, quarry)}; cleft, clift.
Transliteration:nᵉqârâh
Pronunciation:nek-aw-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun nᵉqârâh (`{{H5366}}`) is derived from the verb nâqar (`{{H5365}}`), which means "to bore, pierce, gouge out, or perforate." As a nominal form, nᵉqârâh denotes the *result* of such an action: a "fissure," "cleft," or "clift." It describes a narrow, deep opening or hole, typically found in rock or a hard surface, implying a penetration or hollowing out. The core semantic range thus encompasses the idea of a natural or man-made cavity, often deep and restrictive.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word nᵉqârâh (`{{H5366}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the prophetic book of Isaiah, and in both instances, it refers to a "cleft" or "fissure" in rocks, often in parallel with similar terms.
* **[[Isaiah 2:21]]**: "to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the fissures of the crags, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth." Here, nᵉqârâh is used in parallelism with nᵉqîq (`{{H5367}}`), both describing deep crevices in rocky terrain. The context is eschatological judgment, where humanity, overwhelmed by God's terrifying presence, desperately seeks refuge in the most inaccessible natural hideaways. The imagery underscores the utter futility of attempting to escape divine wrath.
* **[[Isaiah 57:5]]**: "You who burn with lust among the terebinths, under every green tree, who slaughter children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?" In this verse, nᵉqârâh (again paralleled with nᵉqîq `{{H5367}}`) is associated with the practice of child sacrifice and other idolatrous acts. The "fissures of the rocks" likely denote secluded, hidden places where such abominable rituals were performed. The use of the word here highlights the clandestine and dark nature of these acts of spiritual infidelity.
In both contexts, nᵉqârâh signifies a deep, narrow opening in rock, serving either as a place of desperate hiding from divine judgment or as a secluded location for illicit and idolatrous practices.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **nâqar (`{{H5365}}`):** The verbal root from which nᵉqârâh is derived. This verb signifies the action of "boring," "piercing," or "gouging out," as seen in passages like [[Exodus 21:6]] (piercing an ear) or [[1 Samuel 11:2]] (gouging out an eye). Understanding the active sense of the root illuminates nᵉqârâh as a *resultant* hole or opening.
* **nᵉqîq (`{{H5367}}`):** This word is a very close semantic parallel, often translated as "cleft" or "crevice." Its co-occurrence with nᵉqârâh in both [[Isaiah 2:21]] and [[Isaiah 57:5]] emphasizes the depth and narrowness of the rock formations described.
* **s̱ēlaʿ (`{{H5553}}`):** The general Hebrew term for "rock" or "crag," which is the material in which a nᵉqârâh is found.
* **mᵉʿārâh (`{{H4631}}`):** While nᵉqârâh describes a fissure, mᵉʿārâh refers to a "cave," a larger natural cavity. Both can serve as hiding places, but nᵉqârâh emphasizes a more constricted, often desperate, refuge.
* **Thematic connections:** The broader biblical motif of seeking refuge in rocks, caves, or mountains often appears in contexts of fear, judgment, or persecution (e.g., [[Judges 6:2]], [[1 Samuel 13:6]]). nᵉqârâh specifically highlights the narrow, deep, and often desperate nature of such hiding places.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of nᵉqârâh (`{{H5366}}`) is profound, particularly in its limited yet impactful occurrences.
* **Futility of Hiding from God's Judgment:** In [[Isaiah 2:21]], nᵉqârâh serves as a powerful symbol of humanity's utter inability to escape the "terror of the LORD" and the "glory of his majesty." No matter how deep or hidden the fissure, it offers no true sanctuary from an omnipotent and omnipresent God. This imagery underscores divine sovereignty and the inescapable nature of God's righteous judgment, revealing the ultimate powerlessness of human pride and self-reliance in the face of divine wrath.
* **Secrecy and Exposure of Sin:** In [[Isaiah 57:5]], the "clefts of the rocks" are depicted as sites for heinous idolatrous practices. This use of nᵉqârâh highlights the clandestine nature of sin, which often seeks hidden places to operate, believing itself concealed. However, the divine gaze penetrates even the deepest fissures, exposing all hidden transgressions. This emphasizes God's omniscience and His unwavering justice, which brings even the most secret sins to light.
* **Symbol of Despair and False Refuge:** The desperate flight into these narrow fissures in [[Isaiah 2:21]] conveys a sense of profound despair. The nᵉqârâh represents a last, futile attempt at self-preservation, contrasting sharply with the true and secure refuge found only in God Himself. It serves as a stark reminder that true safety and peace are not found in physical concealment but in humble submission and repentance before the Lord.
### Summary
The Hebrew word nᵉqârâh (`{{H5366}}`), derived from the verb nâqar (`{{H5365}}`, "to bore"), denotes a "fissure," "cleft," or "clift"—a narrow, deep opening in rock. Its two occurrences in Isaiah ([[Isaiah 2:21]], [[Isaiah 57:5]]) consistently portray it as a secluded or hidden place within rocky terrain. Theologically, nᵉqârâh powerfully illustrates the absolute futility of human attempts to hide from God's awesome presence and righteous judgment, emphasizing His omnipresence and the inescapable nature of His wrath. Furthermore, its association with idolatrous practices underscores the secrecy and darkness often accompanying sin, which, though hidden from human eyes, is fully exposed before the Lord. The word thus serves as a stark reminder of divine sovereignty and the ultimate vulnerability of humanity before its Creator, urging a turning from false refuges to the true and living God.
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