דִּקְלָה
𐤃𐤒𐤋𐤄
Diqelah
H1853 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Diklah is a proper noun referring to a person in the genealogical lists—specifically a descendant of Yoktan listed among the sons of Shem—and, by extension, to the people or region associated with that ancestor. The term itself is used as a personal name, and in biblical context, it is sometimes also interpreted as toponymic, referencing a group or location linked to this lineage.
Semantic Range
personal name, eponymous ancestor, associated place or people, possibly 'date palm' as a descriptive element
Root / Etymology
The word is of uncertain etymology, but may be connected to the Hebrew root דקל (d-q-l, 'palm tree, date palm') or from a related Semitic language, due to the similarity with other ancient Near Eastern names and terms referencing date palms. The ה ending is likely a theophoric or geographical suffix, but this cannot be confirmed with certainty. Etymology essentially uncertain beyond the possible suggestion of 'date palm.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Diklah appears in Genesis 10:27 and 1 Chronicles 1:21 in the Table of Nations, listing him as a son of Yoktan (Joktan). The name is traditionally associated with a region or tribe in the southern Arabian Peninsula, reflecting the broader pattern of these genealogies to describe ethnic groups or territories by means of eponymous ancestors. Some ancient and modern interpreters assume a geographic location, but no direct archaeological evidence has confirmed a specific site called Diklah. The suggestion that the name is related to the Hebrew for 'date palm' (דקל) may point to either a place characterized by, or a people associated with, date palms—a salient feature of Arabia. English Bible translations often simply transliterate the name and occasionally refer to a region, but the actual referent may be a person, people, or place. The English term 'Jew' does not apply in this context; the association is genealogical and/or ethnic, as part of the broader ancient south Arabian world.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of foreign origin; Diklah, a region of Arabia; Diklah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דקל (d-q-l) — to grow upright, to be erect, palm tree, date palm
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1853-01 |
דִּקְלָֽה | diqelah | HNp |
Diklah | Date-Palm One | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1853-01 |
Genesis 10:27 | דִּקְלָֽה | diqelah | HNp |
Diklah | Date-Palm One |
H1853-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:21 | דִּקְלָֽה | diqelah | HNp |
Diklah | Date-Palm One |