מִפְרֶקֶת
𐤌𐤐𐤓𐤒𐤕
miphreqeth
H4665 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A specific anatomical term referring to the joint or articulation in the neck, especially the vertebral joint where movement or separation can occur. Most often denotes the neck’s pivotal or flexible joint, typically in reference to the nape or back of the neck as a vulnerable place for bending or breaking.
Semantic Range
joint (especially of the neck), articulation, vertebrae, nape, vulnerable neck joint
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root פָּרַק (paraq), meaning 'to break apart, separate, dislocate.' The noun מִפְרֶקֶת (miphreqeth) is a feminine noun formed with the mem-prefix, indicating 'place of separation/breakage,' thus 'joint' or 'articulation.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably Judges 16:30, describing Samson), the term highlights the neck as a physical site prone to breaking, particularly under stress or violence. Its anatomical precision distinguishes it from other neck terms like צוָּאר (tsavvar; generic 'neck'), by focusing on the joint or articulate aspect—suggesting a context of force, vulnerability, or movement. In English translations, 'neck' is standard, but may lose the term’s connotation of pivotal articulation. No evidence connects it to later religious or ethnic terminology. In post-biblical Hebrew, related forms can refer more generally to joints elsewhere. Comparable to classical anatomical terminology, but narrower than most English equivalents.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
xlit miphreketh corrected to miphreqeth; from פָּרַק; properly, a fracture, i.e. joint (vertebrae) of the neck; neck.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פרק (p-r-q) — break apart, separate, dislocate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6561 | פָּרַק | detach yourselves |
| H6562 | פְּרַק | Break off! |
| H6563 | פֶּרֶק | the breaking-apart |
| H6564 | פָּרָק | and disjointed-meat broth |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4665-01 |
מַפְרַקְתּ/וֹ֙ | maferaqeto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his neck | his neck-joint | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4665-01 |
1 Samuel 4:18 | מַפְרַקְתּ/וֹ֙ | maferaqeto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his neck | his neck-joint |