Lexical Summary biqah: valley, plain, valleys Original Word: בִּקְעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance plain, valley From baqa'; properly, a split, i.e. A wide level valley between mountains -- plain, valley. see HEBREW baqa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baqa Definition a valley, plain NASB Translation broad valley (1), plain (7), valley (8), valleys (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּקְעָה noun feminine valley (cleft), plain — absolute ׳ב Genesis 11:2 8t.; construct בִּקְעַת Deuteronomy 34:3 7t.; plural בְּקָעוֺת Isaiah 41:18; Psalm 104:8; בְּקָעֹת Deuteronomy 11:11; — 1 valley (opposed to הַר mountain) Deuteronomy 8:7; Deuteronomy 11:11; compare Isaiah 41:18; also Isaiah 63:14 כַּבְּהֵמָה בַּבִּקְעָח תֵרֵד; in creation-poem Psalm 104:8 יַעֲלוּ הָרִים יֵרְדוּ בְקָעוֺת. 2 plain (sometimes valley-plain, broad valley) Genesis 11:2; also Ezekiel 3:22,23; Ezekiel 8:4; Ezekiel 37:1,2(׳עַלמְּֿבֵי הַבּ) as level, opposed to הָֽרְכָּ סִים Isaiah 40:4 ("" מִישׁוֺר); elsewhere construct mostly with proper name Deuteronomy 34:3 יְרֵחוֺ ׳ב (appositive הַכִּכָּר), מִצְפֶה ׳ב Joshua 11:8, הַלְּבָנוֺן ׳ב Joshua 11:17; Joshua 12:7, מִגִדּוֺ ׳ב2Chronicles 35:22 compare Zechariah 12:11, אוֺנוֺ ׳ב Nehemiah 6:2; אָֿוֶן׳ב Amos 1:5 plain of idolatry = Baalbek (Damascus, according to Wetzst in DeJes 3, 702; ᵐ5 πέδιον Ὤη). Topical Lexicon Definition and Overview בִּקְעָה (biq‘āh) designates a broad, open valley or plain—terrain lying between elevated ridges, capable of sustaining settlement, agriculture, and travel. Scripture uses the word in literal geography, strategic warfare, covenant blessing, prophetic vision, and symbolic theology. Geographical and Settlement Patterns • Genesis 11:2 introduces the post-Flood peoples settling “a plain in the land of Shinar,” an expansive surface suitable for urban construction and, tragically, for the tower of Babel. Military and Political Theater Valleys often became arenas of conflict: Agricultural Provision and Covenant Blessing בִּקְעָה stands for the life-giving lowlands promised to Israel: These verses weave biq‘āh into the theology of provision—the LORD alone irrigates and sustains His people’s inheritance. Arena of Divine Revelation The prophet Ezekiel repeatedly receives visions in “the plain”: Plains become meeting places where the glory of the LORD confronts human impotence. Prophetic Symbolism: Judgment and Restoration • Isaiah 40:4 envisions eschatological leveling: “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low.” God inverts geography to prepare the way for His glory, picturing salvation that exalts the humble. Typological Connections and Theological Insights 1. Humility and Exaltation: Valleys symbolize human lowliness; God’s promise to “lift up” valleys (Isaiah 40:4) prefigures the Gospel theme of the low humbled and then raised in Christ (Luke 1:52). Practical Applications for Ministry Today • God Speaks in the Low Places: Like Ezekiel, believers often receive clarity in seasons of humility; ministry can intentionally seek the “plain” of quiet dependence for renewed vision. Summary בִּקְעָה threads through Scripture as literal landscape and layered metaphor. Whether hosting early civilization, Israel’s battles and blessings, prophetic encounters, or eschatological promises, the valley motif proclaims a God who meets humanity in open spaces, supplies abundance, levels pride, judges evil, and raises the dead. Its twenty occurrences collectively call readers to trust the LORD who fills the lowlands with His glory and life. Forms and Transliterations בְּבִקְעַ֥ת בְּקָע֖וֹת בְקָע֑וֹת בִּקְעַ֥ת בִּקְעַ֧ת בִקְעָ֛ה בַּבִּקְעָ֖ה בַּבִּקְעָ֣ה בַּבִּקְעָֽה׃ בבקעה בבקעה׃ בבקעת בקעה בקעות בקעת הַבִּקְעָ֑ה הַבִּקְעָ֔ה הַבִּקְעָה֒ הבקעה וּבְקָעֹ֑ת ובקעת לְבִקְעָֽה׃ לבקעה׃ מִבִּקְעַת־ מבקעת־ bab·biq·‘āh babbikAh babbiq‘āh bə·ḇiq·‘aṯ bə·qā·‘ō·wṯ ḇə·qā·‘ō·wṯ bəḇiq‘aṯ bekaot bəqā‘ōwṯ ḇəqā‘ōwṯ bevikAt bikAt ḇiq‘āh biq‘aṯ ḇiq·‘āh biq·‘aṯ hab·biq·‘āh habbikAh habbiq‘āh lə·ḇiq·‘āh ləḇiq‘āh levikAh mib·biq·‘aṯ- mibbikat mibbiq‘aṯ- ū·ḇə·qā·‘ōṯ ūḇəqā‘ōṯ uvekaOt vekaot vikAhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 11:2 HEB: מִקֶּ֑דֶם וַֽיִּמְצְא֥וּ בִקְעָ֛ה בְּאֶ֥רֶץ שִׁנְעָ֖ר NAS: that they found a plain in the land KJV: that they found a plain in the land INT: east found A plain the land of Shinar Deuteronomy 8:7 Deuteronomy 11:11 Deuteronomy 34:3 Joshua 11:8 Joshua 11:17 Joshua 12:7 2 Chronicles 35:22 Nehemiah 6:2 Psalm 104:8 Isaiah 40:4 Isaiah 41:18 Isaiah 63:14 Ezekiel 3:22 Ezekiel 3:23 Ezekiel 8:4 Ezekiel 37:1 Ezekiel 37:2 Amos 1:5 Zechariah 12:11 20 Occurrences |