אַכַּד
𐤀𐤊𐤃
Akad
H390 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Akkad — a city in the land of Shinar (southern Mesopotamia), known as one of the principal cities of Nimrod's kingdom listed in Genesis 10:10. The term functions as a proper noun designating an ancient Mesopotamian urban center, likely part of the historical Akkadian civilization. The precise location of Akkad is uncertain in the archaeological record.
Semantic Range
Akkad (ancient Mesopotamian city); proper noun as a place name; designation for a city or region in the context of Genesis 10:10
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: Uncertain. The form אַכַּד does not correspond to a clear Hebrew verb or noun root; its origin is generally understood to be a direct borrowing from Akkadian or Sumerian (Akkadian 'Akkadû'), the name of an ancient Mesopotamian city and region. The suggestion of a Hebrew root 'to strengthen' is not supported by comparative Semitic linguistics.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This word appears only in Genesis 10:10, where it is listed among cities in the land of Shinar associated with the founding figure Nimrod. 'Akkad' in the biblical text corresponds to the ancient Akkadian Empire's central city, indicating Israelite awareness of Mesopotamian geography and history. English translations rendering the term as 'Accad' reflect traditional transliteration. The biblical use preserves the foreign toponym and does not indicate any specific qualities (e.g., 'fortress'), but only geographical/historical reference. The inclusion of 'Akkad' suggests contact or memory of Mesopotamian civilization in the composition of Genesis but does not ascribe any Israelite or Judahite identity to the city. There is no evidence in the Hebrew Bible of the term referring to a fortress or generic stronghold, nor is there a broader semantic range in biblical usage beyond the toponym.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root probably meaning to strengthen; a fortress; Accad, a place in Babylon; Accad.
Bantu Hebrew
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אכד (uncertain) (ʾ-k-d (uncertain)) — proper name, Akkad (ancient Mesopotamian city)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H390-01 |
וְ/אַכַּ֣ד | veakad | HC/Np |
and Accad | and Akkad | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H390-01 |
Genesis 10:10 | וְ/אַכַּ֣ד | veakad | HC/Np |
and Accad | and Akkad |