Lexical Summary noqeph: "striker" or "one who strikes" Original Word: נֹקֶף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shaking From naqaph; a threshing (of olives) -- shaking. see HEBREW naqaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naqaph Definition a striking off NASB Translation shaking (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֹ֫קֶף noun [masculine] striking off; — only construct זַיִת כְּנֹקֶף as (at) the striking of olive-trees Isaiah 17:6; Isaiah 24:13 (simile of fewness of people after ׳י's judgment). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery נֹקֶף denotes the small quantity of fruit that remains clinging to an olive tree or vineyard after the main harvest and the beating or shaking of the branches. The picture is of scant, easily overlooked produce—fragile yet preserved. Biblical Occurrences Isaiah 17:6 and Isaiah 24:13 each use נֹקֶף to portray the aftermath of divine judgment. In both settings, widespread devastation is contrasted with “gleanings” that survive: Agricultural and Cultural Background Ancient Israelite farmers harvested olives by striking branches with poles, then hand-picking what was left. Torah law forbade returning for every last olive or grape (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:20-21), leaving gleanings for the poor, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. Thus נֹקֶף carried social compassion: the remnant sustained the vulnerable. Symbolism of the Remnant Isaiah applies the imagery to people, portraying survivors amid judgment. The few olives that cling to the highest limb represent a faithful remnant preserved by God’s mercy. The same theme surfaces elsewhere: a “remnant of Jacob” (Micah 5:7), “a remnant will return” (Isaiah 10:21), and Paul’s affirmation, “At the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace” (Romans 11:5). Theological Emphasis 1. Divine Judgment and Mercy: God’s holiness demands judgment, yet He never utterly eliminates His covenant people; He safeguards a remnant (נֹקֶף) to continue His redemptive purposes. Ministry Application • Assurance: Believers enduring cultural decline can trust that God always preserves a faithful company. Christological and Eschatological Reflections Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate remnant—Israel reduced to One righteous Man (Isaiah 53:2-3), yet through Him many are gathered (John 12:24). The final harvest imagery in Revelation 14:15-16 echoes Isaiah’s vision: the earth is reaped, but those sealed by the Lamb remain. Thus נֹקֶף foreshadows the redeemed community that will stand after the final shaking of heavens and earth (Hebrews 12:26-28). Related Scriptures for Further Study Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:20-21; Ruth 2:2-3; Isaiah 10:20-22; Micah 2:12; Romans 9:27; Romans 11:1-5; Revelation 14:15-16. Forms and Transliterations כְּנֹ֣קֶף כנקף kə·nō·qep̄ keNokef kənōqep̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 17:6 HEB: בּ֤וֹ עֽוֹלֵלֹת֙ כְּנֹ֣קֶף זַ֔יִת שְׁנַ֧יִם NAS: will be left in it like the shaking of an olive tree, KJV: shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, INT: will be left gleanings the shaking of an olive Two Isaiah 24:13 2 Occurrences |
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