Lexical Summary amoq: Deep Original Word: עָמֹק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance exceeding deep thing From amaq; deep (literally or figuratively) -- (X exceeding) deep (thing). see HEBREW amaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom amoq Definition deep NASB Translation deep (6), deeper (8), exceedingly mysterious (1), mysteries (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָמֹק17 adjective deep (compare BaNB § 23 b); — 1 ׳ע literal Leviticus 13:3 6t. Leviticus 13; feminine עֲמֻקָּה of cup Ezekiel 23:32, trench Proverbs 22:14; Proverbs 23:27 (all 3 in simile); מִשְּׁאוֺל ׳ע Job 11:8 (figurative); plural מַיִם עֲמֻקִּים (simile) Proverbs 18:4; Proverbs 20:5. 2 = unsearchable עָמֹקּ Psalm 64:7; Ecclesiastes 7:24 (twice in verse); plural עֲמֻקוֺת (Baer עֲמוּקוֺת, van d. H. עֲמֻקּוֺת) Job 12:22. Topical Lexicon Overview In Scripture עָמֹק most often describes literal or figurative depth—something lying beneath the surface, hidden from immediate sight, or beyond ordinary reach. Seventeen verses distribute across Law, Wisdom, Poetry, and Prophets, forming three principal spheres: ritual purity (Leviticus), wisdom reflection (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), and prophetic judgment (Ezekiel). Together they illustrate the seriousness of sin, the unfathomable nature of God’s wisdom, the complexity of the human heart, and the peril of moral compromise. Ritual Purity: Depth Exposes Uncleanness Leviticus 13 employs the term nine times (verses 3, 4, 25, 30–34). The priest must decide whether an apparent infection is “deeper than the skin.” Physical depth becomes the critical sign that defilement has truly penetrated the flesh. The passage underscores: Divine Mystery: Depth Beyond Human Reach Job 11:8 proclaims God’s purposes “deeper than Sheol—what can you know?”; Ecclesiastes 7:24 adds, “What exists is far from reach and very deep; who can fathom it?” Such verses cultivate reverence and humility. Rather than discouraging inquiry, they call believers to depend on revealed rather than speculative knowledge, echoing Deuteronomy 29:29. Revelation: Depths Brought to Light In Job 12:22 God “reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light.” What lies beyond human investigation is still accessible to the Lord, who discloses it when redemptive purposes require. Prophetic insight, convicting preaching, and Spirit-illuminated Scripture all flow from this divine prerogative. The Human Heart: Deep Waters Requiring Discernment Proverbs pictures the inner life as hidden reservoirs: Pastoral ministry therefore involves patient listening, skillful questioning, and Spirit-guided counsel that “draws out” what lies beneath. Psalm 64:6 similarly notes, “Both the inward mind and heart of man are mysterious,” reminding readers that unconfessed plots and sins can lurk unnoticed until God exposes them. Moral Danger: Deep Pits of Temptation Proverbs twice warns of sexual immorality: “The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit” (22:14); “A prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well” (23:27). Depth here signals entrapment. Once a person descends, escape is difficult without divine rescue. The texts press for vigilance, covenant faithfulness, and community accountability. Judgment: A Deep and Wide Cup Ezekiel 23:32 pictures Jerusalem drinking “your sister’s cup, which is deep and wide.” The metaphor combines immensity (“wide”) with penetration (“deep”), portraying judgment that is both overwhelming and inescapable. Sin’s depth invites a correspondingly profound retribution, yet even this prophetic warning serves grace by urging repentance before judgment falls. Intercanonical Echoes Though עָמֹק is Hebrew, its themes resonate with the “depths of God” revealed by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10) and the “depths of Satan” rejected by the church (Revelation 2:24). The Old Testament lays the conceptual groundwork: depth can be holy, mysterious, or perilous, depending on its source and orientation. Ministry Implications 1. Diagnostic Care: Leaders must look beneath surface behaviors to root causes, mirroring the Levitical priest’s careful scrutiny. Summary עָמֹק gathers diverse biblical insights into one unifying reality: what lies deep shapes destiny. Whether speaking of hidden infection, divine mystery, human intention, or moral peril, each context calls God’s people to discernment, humility, and wholehearted dependence on the One who alone plumbs every depth and, in Christ, offers cleansing and redemption. Forms and Transliterations הָעֲמֻקָּ֖ה העמקה וְעָמֹ֥ק ׀ וְעָמֹק֙ ועמק עֲ֭מֻקִּים עֲ֭מֻקָּה עֲ֭מֻקוֹת עֲמֻקָּ֣ה עֲמֻקָּ֥ה עָמֹ֖ק עָמֹ֣ק עָמֹֽק׃ עָמֹק֙ עמק עמק׃ עמקה עמקות עמקים ‘ā·mōq ‘ă·mu·qō·wṯ ‘ă·muq·qāh ‘ă·muq·qîm ‘āmōq ‘ămuqōwṯ ‘ămuqqāh ‘ămuqqîm aMok amukKah Amukkim Amukot hā‘ămuqqāh hā·‘ă·muq·qāh haamukKah veaMok wə‘āmōq wə·‘ā·mōqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 13:3 HEB: וּמַרְאֵ֤ה הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ עָמֹק֙ מֵע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ NAS: appears to be deeper than KJV: in sight [be] deeper than the skin INT: appears and the infection to be deeper the skin of his body Leviticus 13:4 Leviticus 13:25 Leviticus 13:30 Leviticus 13:31 Leviticus 13:32 Leviticus 13:34 Job 11:8 Job 12:22 Psalm 64:6 Proverbs 18:4 Proverbs 20:5 Proverbs 22:14 Proverbs 23:27 Ecclesiastes 7:24 Ecclesiastes 7:24 Ezekiel 23:32 17 Occurrences |
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