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עָמַק

𐤏𐤌𐤒

ʻâmaq

H6009 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עמק to be deep, to deepen, to make deep, to possess depth

Definition

To be deep, to become or make deep, to possess depth (physically or figuratively). The verb describes the quality of depth in various senses, including physical space (e.g., a deep valley), intellectual or spiritual profundity, or inwardness. It can occur intransitively (to be deep), transitively (to make deep), or causatively (to deepen something), and is used both concretely and metaphorically by biblical writers.

Semantic Range

to be deep (physically or spatially), to become deep, to make or cause to be deep, to act profoundly (intellectually or spiritually), to hide or obscure thoroughly, to intensify depth or mystery

Root / Etymology

The verb עָמַק derives from the root עמק, which fundamentally concerns the concept of depth or being deep. It is a primary root, not derived from another Hebrew verbal root. The noun עֵמֶק (valley) and related forms similarly retain the idea of depth or low place.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עָמַק appears in the Hebrew Bible both in physical contexts—such as describing landscapes (valleys or deep places; cf. עֵמֶק 'valley')—and in figurative or metaphorical usages, such as describing something profound or mysterious (e.g., Job 11:8: 'deeper than Sheol'). The term allows for both literal and abstract applications, including the deepening of counsel, intentions, or mysteries. Over time, the figurative sense of intense profundity or cleverness (as in Isaiah 29:15: ‘Who deeply hide their counsel’) becomes marked, especially in prophetic and wisdom literature. English translations often render the root simply as 'deep' or 'profound', but can miss the nuance of deliberate deepening or intensification found in some contexts. The related noun עֵמֶק specifically refers to broad valleys, particularly in the central hill country of ancient Israelite and Judahite territories, but the verb never specifically means 'to be in a valley.' The concept remains consistent without significant semantic shift across Israelite history.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) deep (literally or figuratively); (be, have, make, seek) deep(-ly), depth, be profound.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עמק (ʿ-m-q) — to be deep, to become deep, to make deep, to possess depth

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4615 מַעֲמָק in depths of
H5987 עָמוֹק deep
H5994 עֲמִיק the deep things
H6010 עֵמֶק your deep valleys
H6011 עֹמֶק to depth

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6009-05 הֶעְמִ֥יקוּ heemiqu HVhp3cp dwell deep they deepened 5
H6009-04 הֶעְמִ֣יק heemiq HVhp3ms He has made deep he deepened 1
H6009-03 הַ/מַּעֲמִיקִ֥ים hamaamiqim HTd/Vhrmpa who dig deep the ones who deepen 1
H6009-02 הַעְמֵ֣ק haemeq HVha Make deep the deep valley 1
H6009-01 עָמְק֥וּ amequ HVqp3cp deep they became deep 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6009-02 Isaiah 7:11 הַעְמֵ֣ק haemeq HVha Make deep the deep valley
H6009-03 Isaiah 29:15 הַ/מַּעֲמִיקִ֥ים hamaamiqim HTd/Vhrmpa who dig deep the ones who deepen
H6009-04 Isaiah 30:33 הֶעְמִ֣יק heemiq HVhp3ms He has made deep he deepened
H6009-05 Isaiah 31:6 הֶעְמִ֥יקוּ heemiqu HVhp3cp you have deeply revolted they deepened
H6009-05 Jeremiah 49:8 הֶעְמִ֣יקוּ heemiqu HVhv2mp dwell deep they deepened
H6009-05 Jeremiah 49:30 הֶעְמִ֧יקוּ heemiqu HVhv2mp Dwell deep they deepened
H6009-05 Hosea 5:2 הֶעְמִ֑יקוּ heemiqu HVhp3cp have gone deep they deepened
H6009-05 Hosea 9:9 הֶעְמִֽיקוּ heemiqu HVhp3cp They have deeply corrupted they deepened
H6009-01 Psalms 92:6 עָמְק֥וּ amequ HVqp3cp deep they became deep
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