Lexical Summary neqebah: Female Original Word: נְקֵבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance female From naqab; female (from the sexual form) -- female. see HEBREW naqab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naqab Definition a female NASB Translation female (20), woman (1), women (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְקֵבָה noun feminine female (perforata (BaNB 166); so Thes and most; > another view in SchwZAW xi (1891), 181f.; Idioticon 57; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Aramaic נוּקְבָּא, נוּקְבְּתָא,  ,  ); — always absolute ׳נ Jeremiah 31:22 21t. (all Pentateuch, and all P except Deuteronomy 4:16): 1 woman (or female child) Jeremiah 31:22 (opposed to גֶּבֶר), Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:2; Leviticus 12:5,7; Leviticus 15:33; Leviticus 27:4,5,6,7) Numbers 5:3 (all opposed to זָבָר), Numbers 31:15. 2 female animal Genesis 6:19; Genesis 7:3,9,16; Leviticus 3:1,6 (all opposed to זָכָר), Leviticus 4:28,32; Leviticus 5:6. — Deuteronomy 4:16 (opposed to זָכָר) may include both women and animals. Topical Lexicon Creation and Divine Image“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) נְקֵבָה first appears in the creation narrative, coupled with זָכָר (“male”), underscoring the binary design of humanity. Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 5:2 testify that the woman, no less than the man, bears the imago Dei. The pairing establishes ontological equality while also introducing functional distinction, a foundation reaffirmed throughout Scripture (for example, 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Corinthians 11:8-12). Preservation Through the Flood In the flood accounts (Genesis 6:19; 7:3, 9, 16), תָּבוֹא “two of every kind… male and female.” The repeated emphasis on נְקֵבָה ensures the survival of species and highlights God’s faithfulness to bless and sustain life. Salvation was not merely of individuals but of created kinds in their complementary fullness. Sacrificial Inclusion Leviticus repeatedly specifies that peace offerings (Leviticus 3:1, 3:6) and sin offerings (Leviticus 4:28, 4:32; 5:6) may be “male or female.” While certain sacrifices required unblemished males, the permission to bring נְקֵבָה animals affirms that femininity in the created order is acceptable and pleasing when offered in accordance with God’s law. The worshiper’s heart obedience, not the sex of the animal, is primary. Purity, Childbirth, and Bodily Discharge Leviticus 12:5-7 legislates purification for a woman who bears a female child. Leviticus 15:33 extends regulations to both male and female bodily discharges. These laws illuminate the pervasive effects of the fall on human reproduction and bodily functions, yet they also provide a pathway to restoration. By making explicit provision for the female, the law safeguards her standing within the covenant community. Valuations and Vows Leviticus 27:4-7 assigns monetary values to persons dedicated by vow according to age and sex. Though the assessments differ, each value confers measurable worth; none are excluded. The distinctions recognize differing economic capacities in ancient Israel without denying intrinsic dignity or spiritual equality. Community Protection Numbers 5:3 mandates the removal of ritually unclean persons, “male or female,” from camp. Numbers 31:15 records Moses’ inquiry, “Have you spared all the women?” after the Midianite conflict, indicating the gravity of female involvement in earlier idolatry (Numbers 25). These passages demonstrate that covenant responsibility and potential for transgression belong to both sexes. Guarding Against Idolatry Deuteronomy 4:16 warns Israel not to “act corruptly and make for yourselves an idol in the form of any figure, whether a male or female.” Both forms are explicitly prohibited, reflecting an awareness that pagan religions often used sexualized imagery to entice worshippers. Yahweh alone defines human sexuality and worship. Prophetic Hope “How long will you wander, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing on the earth: a woman will shelter a man.” (Jeremiah 31:22) Jeremiah’s enigmatic promise employs נְקֵבָה to signal a redemptive reversal. The prophecy anticipates the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) in which God’s grace overturns expectations, culminating in Messiah’s advent through a virgin (Luke 1:34-35). Theological Implications 1. Equality and Complementarity: Scripture holds male and female as equal bearers of God’s image while assigning distinct roles in family, worship, and society. Ministry Applications • Uphold the dignity of women in teaching, discipleship, and service, reflecting Genesis foundations. Summary נְקֵבָה threads through Scripture from creation to prophecy, presenting womanhood as essential to God’s purposes in creation, redemption, and the consummation. In every occurrence, the term reinforces the consistent biblical witness that male and female together display the fullness of God’s design and glory. Forms and Transliterations וְלַנְּקֵבָ֑ה וְלַנְּקֵבָ֖ה וְלַנְּקֵבָ֣ה וּנְקֵבָ֑ה וּנְקֵבָ֖ה וּנְקֵבָ֤ה ולנקבה ונקבה לַנְּקֵבָֽה׃ לנקבה׃ נְקֵבָ֔ה נְקֵבָ֖ה נְקֵבָ֣ה נְקֵבָ֥ה נְקֵבָ֨ה נְקֵבָֽה׃ נְקֵבָה֙ נקבה נקבה׃ lan·nə·qê·ḇāh lannekeVah lannəqêḇāh nə·qê·ḇāh nekeVah nəqêḇāh ū·nə·qê·ḇāh unekeVah ūnəqêḇāh velannekeVah wə·lan·nə·qê·ḇāh wəlannəqêḇāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 1:27 HEB: אֹת֑וֹ זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה בָּרָ֥א אֹתָֽם׃ NAS: him; male and female He created KJV: he him; male and female created INT: created male and female created Genesis 5:2 Genesis 6:19 Genesis 7:3 Genesis 7:9 Genesis 7:16 Leviticus 3:1 Leviticus 3:6 Leviticus 4:28 Leviticus 4:32 Leviticus 5:6 Leviticus 12:5 Leviticus 12:7 Leviticus 15:33 Leviticus 27:4 Leviticus 27:5 Leviticus 27:6 Leviticus 27:7 Numbers 5:3 Numbers 31:15 Deuteronomy 4:16 Jeremiah 31:22 22 Occurrences |
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