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נֵכַח

𐤍𐤊𐤇

nêkach

H5226 preposition

SILEX Entry

Root נכח to be in front, to be opposite, to confront

Definition

Nêkach denotes spatial or figurative position relative to a reference point, most often indicating 'in front of,' 'before,' or 'opposite.' It is frequently used as a preposition or adverb to specify someone or something's location directly across from or facing another. In some cases, it can carry the nuance of 'in the presence of' or 'in view of.'

Semantic Range

in front of, before, opposite, directly across from, in the presence of, facing

Root / Etymology

The word is traditionally derived from a root נָכַח, not attested elsewhere in Hebrew, supposed to mean 'to be straightforward' or 'to be in front.' The actual attested form is a noun or prepositional particle formed from this putative root, likely reflecting a broader Northwest Semitic background in which similar roots carry connotations of presence, facing, or being opposite. The exact derivation remains uncertain due to the lack of root usage in the Hebrew Bible.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Nêkach appears in various narrative and legal contexts, commonly employed in expressions designating spatial opposition (e.g., an object, person, or landmark located across from another). In some occurrences, it marks a straightforward direction or position (e.g., 'opposite the city,' 'before the tent'), while in others, especially poetic or elevated prose, it can imply being directly 'in the sight of' or 'in the presence of.' It is distinct from other locative terms such as לִפְנֵי (lifnei, 'before, in front of') and מוּל (mul, 'opposite, facing'), but in some contexts can overlap in sense. English translations generally render nêkach as 'before,' 'in front of,' or 'opposite,' but these may not always capture its nuance of spatial symmetry or relational positioning. There is little evidence for significant semantic shift from the earliest texts into the post-exilic period; its usage remains spatially descriptive throughout.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to be straightforward; properly, the fore part; used adverbially, opposite; before, over against.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נכח (n-k-ḥ) — to be in front, to be opposite, to confront

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3198 יָכַח directly opposite
H5227 נֹכַח directly before
H5228 נָכֹחַ upright ones
H5229 נְכֹחָה straightforward uprightness

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5226-01 נִכְח֥/וֹ nikhecho HR/Sp3ms opposite it in front of him 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5226-01 Exodus 14:2 נִכְח֥/וֹ nikhecho HR/Sp3ms opposite it in front of him
H5226-01 Ezekiel 46:9 נִכְח֖/וֹ nikhecho HR/Sp3ms opposite-it in front of him
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