מַעֲקֶה
𐤌𐤏𐤒𐤄
maʻăqeh
H4624 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A structure forming a protective barrier or railing, usually built along the edges of a flat roof, balcony, or elevated platform to prevent people from falling. In biblical law, it specifically refers to the required safety barrier around the flat roofs of houses.
Semantic Range
parapet, protective railing, roof barrier, battlement (in the sense of a barrier, not specifically military), fence at roof edge
Root / Etymology
From the root מעך (makh), which in attested verbal forms means 'to press, squeeze, bruise, crush.' The noun מַעֲקֶה is formed as a derivative noun, referring to something that provides restraint or containment, in this case a barrier. However, the actual verb root is rare or possibly unattested in this specific form; etymology is therefore somewhat uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַעֲקֶה occurs in biblical law (Deuteronomy 22:8), where Israelites are commanded to construct a protective barrier on the flat roofs of their houses for safety. In ancient Israelite society, flat roofs were used for domestic activities, and so a מַעֲקֶה was a practical architectural feature. Later periods (Second Temple and beyond) continued to recognize the importance of such safety constructions, though specific terminology may have evolved. The standard English rendering 'parapet' or 'battlement' captures the basic idea but may imply fortification, while the Hebrew context refers primarily to civilian domestic architecture. Related terms include סָגֵר (sāgēr, 'barrier/closure') and גָּדֵר (gāder, 'wall, fence'), though מַעֲקֶה is specific to the edge of an elevated area. Traditional translations such as 'battlement' can mislead by suggesting military architecture; the primary emphasis is on domestic safety.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to repress; a parapet; battlement.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מעך (m-ʿ-kh) — press, squeeze, restrain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4582 | מָעוֹךְ | Oppressor |
| H4600 | מָעַךְ | crushed one |
| H4601 | מַעֲכָה | Maakah (Pressed-Place) |
| H4602 | מַעֲכָתִי | the Ma‘akathite |
| H62 | אָבֵל בֵּית־מֲעַכָה | Maakah |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4624-01 |
מַעֲקֶ֖ה | maaqeh | HNcmsa |
a parapet | roof restraint-barrier | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4624-01 |
Deuteronomy 22:8 | מַעֲקֶ֖ה | maaqeh | HNcmsa |
a parapet | roof restraint-barrier |