עַקְרָב
𐤏𐤒𐤓𐤁
ʻaqrâb
H6137 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A venomous arachnid, specifically the scorpion (order Scorpiones), known for its stinging tail; also used metaphorically to describe severe hardship, physical punishment, or a cruel instrument, as in a harsh whip or scourge, particularly in the context of discipline or oppressive rule.
Semantic Range
scorpion (animal); instrument of punishment or scourge metaphorically likened to a scorpion; severe hardship or affliction; figuratively, an instrument of harsh discipline or oppression
Root / Etymology
The word עַקְרָב (ʻaqrâb) is of uncertain root and is commonly treated as a loanword or possibly a native Hebrew development from an obscure root. No securely attested root in Hebrew provides a transparent derivation, and similar forms are attested in other Semitic languages (e.g., Ugaritic ʿqrb, Akkadian qurābu, Arabic ʿaqrab) for 'scorpion,' suggesting a common Northwest Semitic heritage.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עַקְרָב is primarily a zoological term for the scorpion, an animal known to Israelites and associated with arid regions. Its venomous sting made it a symbol of danger and pain, leading to its figurative use for cruelty, harsh discipline, and suffering (e.g., 1 Kings 12:11,14; 2 Chronicles 10:11,14). When Rehoboam, king of the Israelite monarchy, threatens harsher rule, he invokes 'scorpions' to represent oppressive punitive measures beyond the 'whips' used by his father. The metaphor highlights escalation from ordinary discipline to severe affliction. In later rabbinic and translation traditions, the figurative use of 'scorpion' was sometimes equated with especially harsh whips studded with points, but the Biblical text itself does not specify the instrument. Notably, English translations sometimes obscure the zoological reference, rendering the term simply 'scourges' or following Greek/Latin interpretive traditions. The term retains both its literal zoological and rich metaphorical significance in different biblical periods.
Translation Consistency
The primary, literal sense of עַקְרָב in Hebrew is the arachnid scorpion; metaphorical uses (scourge, instrument of punishment, severe hardship) derive from that image. 'Scorpion' is the most natural, widely understood base word; it can be pluralized or used figuratively where needed while keeping consistent terminology.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain derivation; a scorpion; figuratively, a scourge or knotted whip; scorpion.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1002 | בִּירָה | the citadel |
| H105 | אֲגַרְטָל | bowls of |
| H1081 | בַּלְאֲדָן | Baladan |
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6137-02 |
בָּ/עַקְרַבִּֽים | baaqerabim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with scorpions | in the scorpions | with scorpions | 4 |
H6137-01 |
עַקְרַבִּ֖ים | aqerabim | HNcmpa |
scorpions | scorpions | scorpions | 1 |
H6137-03 |
וְ/עַקְרָ֔ב | veaqerav | HC/Ncmsa |
and scorpion | and scorpion | and scorpion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6137-03 |
Deuteronomy 8:15 | וְ/עַקְרָ֔ב | veaqerav | HC/Ncmsa |
and scorpion | and scorpion | and scorpion |
H6137-02 |
1 Kings 12:11 | בָּ/עַקְרַבִּֽים | baaqerabim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with-scorpions | in the scorpions | with scorpions |
H6137-02 |
1 Kings 12:14 | בָּ/עַקְרַבִּֽים | baaqerabim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with scorpions | in the scorpions | with scorpions |
H6137-01 |
Ezekiel 2:6 | עַקְרַבִּ֖ים | aqerabim | HNcmpa |
scorpions | scorpions | scorpions |
H6137-02 |
2 Chronicles 10:11 | בָּֽ/עֲקְרַבִּֽים | baaqerabim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with-scorpions | in the scorpions | with scorpions |
H6137-02 |
2 Chronicles 10:14 | בָּ/עֲקְרַבִּֽים | baaqerabim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with scorpions | in the scorpions | with scorpions |