Lexical Summary ziqah or zeq: Spark, flame, or flash Original Word: זִיקָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chain, fetter, firebrand, spark (Isa. 'Abiyshuwae: (feminine); and ziq {zeek}; or zeq {zake}; from zanaq; properly, what leaps forth, i.e. Flash of fire, or a burning arrow; also (from the original sense of the root) a bond -- chain, fetter, firebrand, spark. see HEBREW 'Abiyshuwae see HEBREW zanaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a missile, spark NASB Translation brands (1), firebrands (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [זֵק] noun [masculine] missile, spark (√ dubious; compare Late Hebrew זִיקִין fiery arrows, Aramaic זִיקָא id., זִיקוּקָא id. + spark,  shooting star, ray of light,  shooting star) — only plural זִקִּים of (fire- ?) missiles Proverbs 26:18 ("" חִצִּים, with ירה); so זִיקוֺת sparks, brands (as leaping, springing, forth ?) ׳מְאַזְּרֵי ז (see אזר) Isaiah 50:11 ("" קֹדְחֵי אֵשׁ), בִּעַרְתֶּם ׳ז Isaiah 50:11 ("" אוּר אֶשְׁכֶם). II. [זֵק], זִקִּים fetters, see below II. זקק. זקן (√ of following; meaning dubious). II. [זֵק] noun [masculine] fetter, only plural זִקִּים: — fetters of captives ׳רֻתְּכוּ בַּזּ Nahum 3:10; יַעֲבֹ֑רוּ ׳בַּזּ Isaiah 45:14; ׳בְּז Psalm 149:8 (with אסר; "" כַּבְלֵי בַרְזֶל); figurative ׳בַּזּ Job 36:8 (with אסר; "" חַבְלֵי עֹ֑נִי). Topical Lexicon Overview זִיקָה appears seven times across five Old Testament books, carrying two vivid pictures: the iron chain and the flying spark. Whether used of fetters that restrain or of flashes that ignite, the term consistently portrays what the Lord employs to expose folly, humble nations, and vindicate the righteous. Occurrences Job 36:8; Psalm 149:8; Proverbs 26:18; Isaiah 45:14; Isaiah 50:11 (twice in parallel clauses); Nahum 3:10. Chains as Instruments of Divine Sovereignty • Job 36:8 shows afflicted people “bound with chains,” a reminder that suffering is never random but governed by the God who later “declares to them their deeds” (Job 36:9). In each passage the chain confronts pride, enforcing accountability and preparing hearts—whether Israel’s or the nations’—for submission to the Lord. Sparks as Symbols of Human Presumption • Proverbs 26:18 likens the reckless prankster to a “madman shooting flaming arrows,” his sparks inflicting needless harm and revealing the destructive power of foolish words. Here the spark exposes the vanity of man-made solutions, standing in sharp contrast to the enduring light supplied by the Lord. The Dual Metaphor: Binding and Burning Although “chains” and “sparks” appear unrelated, both images converge in depicting the consequences of life apart from God. Pride either binds the sinner or burns him; conversely, humble trust secures deliverance and guidance. Historical Setting In Job, the patriarchal age wrestles with innocent suffering. In Psalms, post-exilic worshipers anticipate future vindication. Proverbs offers Solomonic wisdom for everyday life. Isaiah addresses eighth-century Judah amid Assyrian and later Babylonian threats, while Nahum announces Nineveh’s downfall. Across these contexts זִיקָה underlines one consistent truth: the Sovereign Lord directs history for His glory and His people’s good. Theological Themes 1. Divine justice—God restrains evil (chains) and exposes folly (sparks). Typological and Messianic Hints Psalm 149 looks beyond post-exilic horizons to the Messianic reign, when Christ’s people share in His authority over the nations (Revelation 2:26–27). Isaiah 50 places the “sparks” passage immediately after the Servant’s obedience, contrasting man’s futile light with the Servant’s trust in the Father. Thus זִיקָה indirectly magnifies Jesus, the One who breaks chains (Luke 4:18) and provides true light (John 8:12). Ministry Application • Pastoral counseling: Job 36:8–10 affirms that bondage-like trials can be divinely educational, inviting confession rather than resentment. Conclusion זִיקָה reminds every generation that the Lord who fastens chains also permits sparks. He binds arrogant powers, yet exposes self-made fires that claim autonomy. Trusting His sovereign hand leads out of bondage into light; refusing Him leaves only shackles or ashes. Forms and Transliterations בְּזִקִּ֑ים בַּזִּקִּ֑ים בַּזִּקִּ֖ים בַזִּקִּֽים׃ בזקים בזקים׃ וּבְזִיקוֹת֙ ובזיקות זִיק֑וֹת זִקִּ֗ים זיקות זקים baz·ziq·qîm ḇaz·ziq·qîm bazzikKim bazziqqîm ḇazziqqîm bə·ziq·qîm bezikKim bəziqqîm ū·ḇə·zî·qō·wṯ ūḇəzîqōwṯ uvezikOt vazzikKim zî·qō·wṯ zikKim ziKot ziq·qîm zîqōwṯ ziqqîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 36:8 HEB: וְאִם־ אֲסוּרִ֥ים בַּזִּקִּ֑ים יִ֝לָּכְד֗וּן בְּחַבְלֵי־ KJV: And if [they be] bound in fetters, [and] be holden INT: and if are bound fetters caught the cords Psalm 149:8 Proverbs 26:18 Isaiah 45:14 Isaiah 50:11 Isaiah 50:11 Nahum 3:10 7 Occurrences |
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