עָקַר
𐤏𐤒𐤓
ʻâqar
H6131 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To uproot, pluck up, or remove something from its foundation (especially plants), both literally (as with plants or structures) and figuratively (as in removing, destroying, or eradicating a people or presence); in limited contexts, to hamstring or disable an animal by cutting leg tendons. The word can signal a forceful or thorough removal, often with lasting consequences.
Semantic Range
to uproot (plants or objects), to pluck up, to remove entirely, to disable (by hamstringing), to destroy or eradicate (figuratively), to dig out, to exterminate
Root / Etymology
From the root עקר, which conveys the sense of uprooting or removing from a foundation. The derived verb עָקַר refers to the act of physically pulling up, especially of plants, or more broadly, removing something completely.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early Israelite texts, עָקַר is frequently used with reference to agricultural contexts (e.g., uprooting plants or vines), as well as urban or territorial removals (e.g., uprooting peoples or destroying settlements). In some passages, especially in narratives involving warfare, it connotes the disabling of horses by cutting their hamstrings (e.g., Joshua 11:6, 9). The word also develops extended uses: metaphorical references to eradicating or destroying people, cities, or lineages, reflecting a complete removal with no prospect of regrowth. This root is distinct from similar verbs like סור (to turn aside, remove in a more general sense) or כרת (to cut off, often in covenant contexts). Later translations, particularly in the King James Version, sometimes render עָקַר as 'hough' (an archaic term for hamstringing), which does not cover its broader applications in Hebrew. The term is not associated with religious terminology or identity labels, but rather with physical or social action, whether literal or metaphorical.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate; dig down, hough, pluck up, root up.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עקר (ʿ-q-r) — to uproot, pluck up, remove from foundation
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6132 | עֲקַר | were uprooted |
| H6133 | עֵקֶר | to root-stock of |
| H6134 | עֵקֶר | and Eker |
| H6135 | עָקָר | barren man |
| H6136 | עִקַּר | stump-of |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6131-05 |
וַ/יְעַקֵּ֤ר | vayeaqer | HC/Vpw3ms |
and David hamstrung | and he uprooted | 2 |
H6131-04 |
תְּעַקֵּ֔ר | teaqer | HVpi2ms |
hamstring | you will uproot completely | 2 |
H6131-03 |
לַ/עֲק֥וֹר | laaqor | HR/Vqc |
to uproot | 1 | |
H6131-02 |
עִקְּרוּ | iqeru | HVpp3cp |
they hamstrung | they thoroughly uprooted | 1 |
H6131-01 |
עִקֵּ֔ר | iqer | HVpp3ms |
hamstrung | he thoroughly uprooted | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6131-02 |
Genesis 49:6 | עִקְּרוּ | iqeru | HVpp3cp |
they hamstrung | they thoroughly uprooted |
H6131-04 |
Joshua 11:6 | תְּעַקֵּ֔ר | teaqer | HVpi2ms |
hamstring | you will uproot completely |
H6131-01 |
Joshua 11:9 | עִקֵּ֔ר | iqer | HVpp3ms |
hamstrung | he thoroughly uprooted |
H6131-05 |
2 Samuel 8:4 | וַ/יְעַקֵּ֤ר | vayeaqer | HC/Vpw3ms |
and David hamstrung | and he uprooted |
H6131-04 |
Zephaniah 2:4 | תֵּעָקֵֽר | teaqer | HVNi3fs |
will-be-uprooted | you will uproot completely |
H6131-03 |
Ecclesiastes 3:2 | לַ/עֲק֥וֹר | laaqor | HR/Vqc |
to uproot | |
H6131-05 |
1 Chronicles 18:4 | וַ/יְעַקֵּ֤ר | vayeaqer | HC/Vpw3ms |
and hamstrung | and he uprooted |