English · KJV
H6131

עָקַר

ʻâqar /aw-kar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate
KJV usagedig down, hough, pluck up, root up.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻâqar — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻâqar, represented by H6131, is a primitive root that signifies forceful removal and incapacitation. It appears 7 times across 7 unique verses. Its definitions include to pluck up (especially by the roots), to hamstring (hough), and figuratively, to exterminate or dig down. The word consistently conveys an action of permanent uprooting or disabling.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In Scripture, H6131 is used in several distinct contexts. Poetically, it describes the cycles of life under God's sovereignty, where there is "a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted" Ecclesiastes 3:2. In a historical curse, it refers to an act of destructive anger, where Simeon and Levi "in their selfwill they digged down a wall" Genesis 49:6. The word is also used prophetically to announce judgment, as in the declaration that "Ekron shall be rooted up" Zephaniah 2:4. In a military sense, it describes the specific command to hamstring enemy horses, rendering them useless for war, as when David houghed the chariot horses of his defeated enemies (2 Samuel 8:4, 1 Chronicles 18:4).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the theme of removal and destruction associated with H6131:

  • H5193 nâṭaʻ (to plant): This word serves as a direct antonym to ʻâqar. It is used in parallel opposition in Ecclesiastes 3:2, contrasting the act of establishing with the act of uprooting.
  • H1644 gârash (to drive out): This term is used alongside H6131 in the prophecy against the Philistine cities, where some are "driven out" while Ekron is "rooted up" Zephaniah 2:4, showing a shared theme of forceful expulsion and judgment.
  • H8313 sâraph (to burn): This word is directly paired with ʻâqar in military commands. The LORD instructed Joshua to hough the enemy's horses and burn their chariots with fire Joshua 11:6, an order which Joshua carried out completely Joshua 11:9.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6131 is significant, highlighting God's authority over nations and the natural order.

  • Divine Judgment: The word is an expression of God's judgment against nations. In Zephaniah 2:4, the "rooting up" of Ekron is a prophetic act of divine retribution for its wickedness.
  • Military Obedience: God's command to Joshua to hough the enemy's horses Joshua 11:6 was a test of obedience and a lesson in trusting God for victory rather than captured military assets like horses and chariots.
  • God's Sovereignty: Its use in Ecclesiastes 3:2 frames the act of "plucking up" not as random destruction, but as part of a divinely appointed time and purpose, demonstrating God's ultimate control over life and death, growth and decay.

Summary

In summary, H6131 is a powerful verb that illustrates complete and final removal. Whether used to describe the agricultural act of uprooting a plant, the military tactic of disabling an enemy's cavalry, or the divine judgment of rooting up a city, ʻâqar consistently points to a decisive action that brings something to a permanent end. It serves as a stark reminder of God's sovereignty in both judgment and the ordained cycles of the world.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 7 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יְעַקֵּר
  • תֵּעָקֵר
  • תְּעַקֵּר
  • עִקְּרוּ
  • עִקֵּר
  • עֲקוֹר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5193 נָטַע a primitive root; properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively); fastened, plant( H1644 גָּרַשׁ a primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce; cast up (out), divorced (woman), H8313 שָׂרַף a primitive root; to be (causatively, set) on fire; (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, [idiom] utterly.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 7 verses across 6 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Joshua (2 verses); never once in the other 33.

1
Genesis
2
Joshua
1
2 Samuel
1
1 Chronicles
1
Ecclesiastes
1
Zephaniah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.