a primitive root; properly, to tie, specifically, with fetters; but used only as denominative from עֶכֶס; to put on anklets; make a tinkling ornament.
Transliteration:ʻâkaç
Pronunciation:aw-kas'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H5913}}`, *ʻâkaç*, is a primitive root, whose fundamental meaning is "to tie" or "to bind," particularly with the implication of fetters. However, its usage in the Hebrew Bible is exclusively denominative, derived from the noun `{{H5914}}` (*ʻekes*), which refers to an "anklet" or a "tinkling ornament." Thus, in its actual biblical application, `{{H5913}}` signifies the action of putting on anklets or, more specifically, the sound produced by these ornaments as one walks. The verb captures the jingle or tinkling sound made by anklets, which were often adorned with small bells or metal pieces. This semantic shift from "tying" to "making a tinkling sound" highlights the cultural context where anklets were a common form of feminine adornment, and their sound was an audible expression of their presence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H5913}}` appears only once in the Masoretic Text, in the book of Isaiah:
* **[[Isaiah 3:16]]**: "Moreover the LORD says: 'Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet.'"
* In this sole occurrence, the verb is found in the Hithpael stem (הִתְעַכֵּסְנָה, *hitʻakkēsnâ*), which conveys a reflexive or intensive action. Here, it describes the deliberate and self-conscious act of the "daughters of Zion" making their anklets tinkle as they walk. The context of [[Isaiah 3]] is a prophetic oracle against Judah and Jerusalem, specifically condemning the pride, luxury, and moral decay of its leadership and people. The passage from [[Isaiah 3:16-24]] focuses on the excessive adornment and haughty demeanor of the women of Jerusalem. The "tinkling" of their feet is not merely a description of their fashion but an indictment of their ostentatious display, a physical manifestation of their inner pride and vanity. The sound of the anklets, therefore, becomes a symbol of their self-exaltation and their deliberate effort to draw attention to themselves, contrasting sharply with the humility and reverence expected in a covenant relationship with God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the noun from which `{{H5913}}` is derived:
* **`{{H5914}}` (עֶכֶס - *ʻekes*):** This noun refers to the "anklet" or "tinkling ornament" itself. It appears in [[Isaiah 3:18]] as one of the items of adornment that the Lord will strip away from the haughty daughters of Zion, further solidifying the connection between the action of `{{H5913}}` and the physical object `{{H5914}}`.
Other related concepts and words in the broader biblical lexicon include:
* **Adornment and Jewelry:** The passage in [[Isaiah 3:18-23]] lists numerous items of jewelry and clothing (e.g., `{{H5141}}` - *nezem* (nose ring/earring), `{{H6064}}` - *anas* (chains), `{{H7727}}` - *shawl* (shawls), `{{H6652}}` - *tseadah* (anklets/steps)). These terms collectively paint a picture of elaborate and often excessive personal embellishment.
* **Pride and Haughtiness:** The primary sin condemned in [[Isaiah 3:16]] is the "haughtiness" (`{{H1346}}` - *gā'â*) of the daughters of Zion. The "tinkling" (`{{H5913}}`) of their feet is a behavioral manifestation of this inner pride. Other words related to pride, such as `{{H1347}}` (*ga'on* - majesty/pride) or `{{H1361}}` (*gābah* - to be high/proud), are conceptually linked.
* **Judgment and Humiliation:** The consequence of such pride and ostentation is divine judgment, resulting in the stripping away of these very ornaments and a reversal of their exalted status (e.g., "burning instead of beauty" in [[Isaiah 3:24]]).
### Theological Significance
The singular use of `{{H5913}}` in [[Isaiah 3:16]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a vivid illustration of the prophetic critique against superficiality, vanity, and pride, particularly when these traits manifest in outward display.
1. **Critique of Worldly Pride:** The "tinkling" of the anklets symbolizes a deliberate attempt to draw attention to oneself, an act rooted in self-exaltation rather than humble submission to God. In a society where outward appearance often reflected social status and personal worth, Isaiah's condemnation highlights the spiritual danger of prioritizing external show over internal righteousness.
2. **Focus on the Heart:** The passage implicitly contrasts the daughters' preoccupation with their physical adornment with their spiritual nakedness. God's concern is not with fashion itself, but with the heart attitude that motivates such excessive and haughty display. The "tinkling" is a symptom of a deeper spiritual malady: a heart alienated from God and consumed by self-love.
3. **Divine Judgment and Reversal:** The subsequent verses in Isaiah 3 describe how God will strip away these very ornaments and bring humiliation upon those who boasted in them. The tinkling of the anklets, once a sign of pride and luxury, will be replaced by the stench of decay and the marks of slavery ([[Isaiah 3:24]]). This serves as a powerful reminder that all human glory and pride are fleeting and will ultimately be brought low by divine judgment.
4. **Call to Humility:** By condemning this specific act of self-display, the prophet implicitly calls the people to humility, inner beauty, and a focus on spiritual values rather than material possessions or fleeting trends. True beauty, from a biblical perspective, resides in a humble and contrite spirit, not in outward adornment.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb {{H5913}}`, *ʻâkaç*, though rooted in the idea of "tying" or "fettering," is exclusively used in the Bible as a denominative verb meaning "to make a tinkling sound with anklets." Its singular occurrence in [[Isaiah 3:16]] is highly significant, serving as a powerful prophetic indictment against the haughtiness and excessive vanity of the "daughters of Zion." The act of "tinkling" their feet is presented not as a neutral fashion statement, but as a deliberate and audible manifestation of their pride, self-display, and detachment from God's covenant expectations. The theological implication is profound: God's judgment falls upon those whose hearts are consumed by superficiality and self-exaltation, ultimately leading to the stripping away of their perceived glory and a reversal of their status. The word thus encapsulates a critical aspect of Isaiah's message concerning the dangers of worldly pride and the divine call to humility and spiritual integrity.
TRV