Lexical Summary aqab: To supplant, to overreach, to follow at the heel, to assail insidiously Original Word: עָקַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance take by the heel, stay, supplant, utterly A primitive root; properly, to swell out or up; used only as denominative from aqeb, to seize by the heel; figuratively, to circumvent (as if tripping up the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the heel) -- take by the heel, stay, supplant, X utterly. see HEBREW aqeb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from aqeb Definition to follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach NASB Translation deals craftily (1), heel (1), restrain (1), supplanted (1), took (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָקַב verb follow at the heel, figurative assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach (denominative from עָקֵב; compare Arabic  follow (at the heel), succeed, III. bring consequence on, i.e. punish, Qor 22:59; IV. make to follow, i.e. reward or punish,  end, final lot 6:11 reward 6:136  hold back (rare), follow, Pa`el investigate, search out: Ethiopic  is keep, guard); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular Hosea 12:4 בַּבֶּטֶן עָקַב אֶתאָֿחִיו he attacked his brother at the heel (compare Genesis 25:26 below עָקֵב); Imperfect3masculine singular Genesis 27:36 הֲכִי קָרָא שְׁמוֺ יַעֲקֹב וַיַּעְקְבֵנִי זֶה פַעֲמַיִם and he hath overreached me now twice; + Infinitive abs Jeremiah 9:3 בָּלאָֿח עָקוֺב יַעֲקֹב surely overreacheth ("" רָכִיל יַהֲלֹח). [ᵐ5 πτερνίζω, to attack with the heel; but this dubious In 'supplant,' also, the figurative is a different one.] Pi`el Job 37:4 וְלֹא יְעַקְּבֵם dubious; poss attack at the heel (compare זִנֵּב), hence figurative hold back; more probably read וְלֹא יְעַכְּבֵם holdeth them not back (that is בְּרָקָיו his lightnings), when his voice is heard from עִכֵּב to hold back (common in Late Hebrew; ᵑ7 עַכֵּב). Topical Lexicon Root Idea And Semantic Rangeעָקַב conveys the notion of grasping from behind—whether literally seizing the heel, or figuratively out-maneuvering, deceiving, or withholding. From this verb comes the patriarchal name Jacob (Yaʿaqōb), so every biblical occurrence of the verb invites reflection on the interplay between human craftiness and divine overruling. Occurrences And Narrative Settings Esau’s cry, “For he has supplanted me these two times,” frames עָקַב as deliberate manipulation. Jacob’s scheming cannot thwart the covenant, yet the verb exposes the moral cost of self-promotion. “He does not restrain the lightning when His voice resounds.” Here עָקַב pictures unrestrained power: nothing can “hold back” the thunderbolts once God commands. The human capacity to impede (seen in Genesis) is contrasted with the Lord’s irresistibility. The prophet laments a society where “every brother acts deceitfully.” The doubled use of עָקַב intensifies the diagnosis: supplanting has become systemic. Judah’s covenant community mirrors the old Jacob before his Peniel transformation, underscoring the need for repentance. “In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel.” Hosea recalls Jacob’s prenatal act both to rebuke a treacherous Israel and to remind them that, like their forefather, they can be renamed and renewed if they seek God. Thematic Connections 1. Human Deceit Versus Divine Faithfulness The verb consistently exposes the futility of securing blessing by guile. Jacob receives the promise not because of, but in spite of, his עָקַב. Similarly, Judah’s treachery (Jeremiah) leads only to exile, while God’s word stands firm. 2. Transformation And Renaming Genesis and Hosea hold deceit and grace in tension. Jacob the “supplanter” becomes Israel, “he struggles with God.” Conversion requires acknowledgment of one’s own עָקַב tendencies and submission to God’s redefining mercy. 3. Unthwarted Divine Power Job 37:4 widens the semantic field. No created force can עָקַב (hold back) the Almighty. What humans attempt negatively against each other, God transcends positively in sovereign might. Redemptive And Christological Trajectory Jacob’s account anticipates the greater Son who never deceived (1 Peter 2:22) yet bore the consequences of every act of עָקַב. At Calvary the heel is bruised (Genesis 3:15), but rather than grasping from behind, Jesus willingly lays down His life, reversing the pattern of self-seeking and opening the way for transformed “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). Practical Ministry Implications • Integrity In Community Jeremiah’s warning calls churches to cultivate trustworthiness. Hidden agendas fracture fellowship and invite discipline. • Pastoral Counseling Believers struggling with manipulative habits find hope in Jacob’s journey. God confronts, then blesses the one who clings to Him. • Preaching The Fear Of God Job 37:4 supports sermons on divine majesty: when God speaks, nothing can עָקַב His purposes—comfort for the righteous, terror for the unrepentant. • Intercession For Renewal Hosea encourages praying that national and congregational life move from heel-grasping rivalry to God-wrestling dependence. Summary עָקַב unmasks the perennial allure of taking advantage, yet simultaneously showcases a God who overrides deceit, transforms deceivers, and advances His redemptive plan without restraint. Forms and Transliterations וַֽיַּעְקְבֵ֙נִי֙ ויעקבני יְ֝עַקְּבֵ֗ם יַעְקֹ֔ב יעקב יעקבם עָק֣וֹב עָקַ֣ב עקב עקוב ‘ā·qaḇ ‘ā·qō·wḇ ‘āqaḇ ‘āqōwḇ aKav aKov vaiyakeVeni way·ya‘·qə·ḇê·nî wayya‘qəḇênî ya‘·qōḇ ya‘qōḇ yaKo yə‘aqqəḇêm yə·‘aq·qə·ḇêm yeakkeVemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 27:36 HEB: שְׁמ֜וֹ יַעֲקֹ֗ב וַֽיַּעְקְבֵ֙נִי֙ זֶ֣ה פַעֲמַ֔יִם NAS: Jacob, for he has supplanted me these KJV: Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these INT: base Jacob has supplanted these two Job 37:4 Jeremiah 9:4 Jeremiah 9:4 Hosea 12:3 5 Occurrences |
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