זִיקָה
𐤆𐤉𐤒𐤄
zîyqâh
H2131 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A flash, spark, or firebrand; by extension, any ignited or burning object that leaps forth, such as a burning arrow. Also attested with the sense of a fetter or chain, likely by semantic development from the idea of something propelled or moved forward. The primary meaning in biblical usage is focused on fire-related imagery, typically denoting a spark, flash, or missile of fire.
Semantic Range
flash, spark, burning arrow, firebrand, ignited missile, chain, fetter, bond
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root זנק (z-n-q), which means 'to leap forward, spring, leap.' זִיקָה (zîyqâh) is a feminine noun formation from this root, expressing something that leaps forward—metaphorically a spark, flash, or burning missile. The semantic development to include 'bond, chain, fetter' likely extends from the idea of being flung or put forth, though the connection is debated and etymology for these senses is somewhat uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Isaiah 50:11, the term זִיקוֹתֵיהֶם (pl. of זִיקָה) appears in a context emphasizing self-made fires and sparks, metaphorically describing those seeking their own light apart from divine direction. In post-biblical Hebrew, the meaning of 'fetter' or 'chain' is more prominent, possibly as a concrete development from the idea of something that can leap or encircle. The Septuagint and later translators have sometimes rendered the term with words for 'firebrand' or 'spark,' but rarely with 'chain' in biblical contexts. The dual meaning—fiery projectile versus chain—reflects the flexible metaphorical development typical of Hebrew nouns derived from verbs of movement. English translations usually render the sense as 'spark' or 'firebrand' in biblical contexts. Care should be taken not to import the later sense of 'fetter/chain' into earlier biblical texts where the fire/flame imagery predominates.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Isaiah 50: (feminine); and זִק; or זֵק; from זָנַק; properly, what leaps forth, i.e. flash of fire, or a burning arrow; also (from the original sense of the root) a bond; chain, fetter, firebrand, spark.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זנק (z-n-q) — to leap, spring forward, jump forth
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2187 | זָנַק | he forcefully springs forward |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2131-01 |
בַּ/זִּקִּ֖ים | baziqim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in-chains | sparks of fire | 2 |
H2131-04 |
בַ/זִּקִּֽים | vaziqim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in chains | leaping sparks | 1 |
H2131-02 |
בְּ/זִקִּ֑ים | beziqim | HR/Ncmpa |
with chains | in leaping-sparks | 1 |
H2131-03 |
וּ/בְ/זִיקוֹת֙ | uveziqot | HC/R/Ncbpa |
and in the firebrands | and in sparks | 1 |
H2131-05 |
זִקִּ֗ים | ziqim | HNcbpa |
firebrands | leaping sparks | 1 |
H2131-06 |
זִיק֑וֹת | ziqot | HNcbpa |
firebrands | leaping sparks | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2131-01 |
Isaiah 45:14 | בַּ/זִּקִּ֖ים | baziqim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in-chains | sparks of fire |
H2131-06 |
Isaiah 50:11 | זִיק֑וֹת | ziqot | HNcbpa |
firebrands | leaping sparks |
H2131-03 |
Isaiah 50:11 | וּ/בְ/זִיקוֹת֙ | uveziqot | HC/R/Ncbpa |
and in the firebrands | and in sparks |
H2131-04 |
Nahum 3:10 | בַ/זִּקִּֽים | vaziqim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in chains | leaping sparks |
H2131-02 |
Psalms 149:8 | בְּ/זִקִּ֑ים | beziqim | HR/Ncmpa |
with chains | in leaping-sparks |
H2131-05 |
Proverbs 26:18 | זִקִּ֗ים | ziqim | HNcbpa |
firebrands | leaping sparks |
H2131-01 |
Job 36:8 | בַּ/זִּקִּ֑ים | baziqim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in fetters | sparks of fire |