Lexical Summary aqeb: foes Original Word: עָקֵב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance heel, a lier in waitFrom aqab in its denominative sense; a lier in wait -- heel (by mistake for aqeb). see HEBREW aqab see HEBREW aqeb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as aqeb Definition overreacher NASB Translation foes (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. עָקֵב verbal adjective overreacher, Psalm 49:6 עֲוֺן עֲקֵבַי יְסֻבֵּנִי i.e. of those who would take some insidious advantage of me. Topical Lexicon Root Imagery and Semantic Field עָקֵב carries the picture of a “heel,” the part of the foot that is last to leave the ground and therefore suggests what comes behind, stalks, or trips. From that literal image develop the figurative ideas of pursuit, ambush, deceitful plotting, and the attempt to supplant. The single Old Testament occurrence of the exact form (Psalm 49:5) stands on the shoulders of that broader semantic heritage, allowing the psalmist to compress an entire theology of hidden hostility into one word. Psalm 49:5 in Canonical Context “Why should I fear in days of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?” (Psalm 49:5). By choosing עָקֵב the Sons of Korah describe oppressors who hound the righteous “at the heel,” reminiscent of a hunter tracking prey. The phrase frames the rest of the psalm, which contrasts the fleeting power of such pursuers with the sure redemption God grants His people. Their schemes may nip at the believer’s steps, yet the faithful ultimately “will receive me” (Psalm 49:15). Biblical Motifs Associated with the Heel 1. Supplanting and deceit – Jacob seized Esau’s heel at birth, earning the name “Jacob” (Genesis 25:26). Hosea later recalls, “In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel” (Hosea 12:3), exposing a long-standing link between עָקֵב imagery and crafty ambition. Historical and Literary Significance Psalm 49 belongs to the wisdom corpus, speaking into Israel’s perennial experience of being hemmed in by stronger nations or wealthy overlords. Employing עָקֵב, a rare term in this exact form, draws the listener’s mind back to earlier salvation-history episodes (Edom, Egypt, Babylon) where the covenant community was threatened yet finally delivered. The singular usage underscores the uniqueness of God’s answer: redemption, not retaliation. Theological Trajectory Toward the New Testament Jesus echoes the heel motif when He washes the disciples’ feet and cites, “He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me” (John 13:18). Judas embodies the Psalm 49 enemy: close at hand, plotting from behind. Nevertheless, Christ, like the psalmist, faces such treachery without fear, knowing the Father will vindicate Him through resurrection. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Encouragement in opposition – Believers who feel dogged by slander or systemic injustice can appropriate Psalm 49:5, trusting that the “heel-hunters” cannot outpace divine redemption. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 6120 עָקֵב crystallizes the age-old drama of deceitful pursuit and faithful endurance. From Eden’s serpent to Judas’s betrayal, Scripture portrays heel-striking foes who seem poised to trip the righteous. Yet the very term reminds readers that such threats always come “after”—never before—the sovereign purposes of God, whose redemption outruns every pursuer. Forms and Transliterations עֲקֵבַ֣י עקבי ‘ă·qê·ḇay ‘ăqêḇay akeVaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 49:5 HEB: רָ֑ע עֲוֹ֖ן עֲקֵבַ֣י יְסוּבֵּֽנִי׃ NAS: When the iniquity of my foes surrounds KJV: [when] the iniquity of my heels shall compass INT: of adversity the iniquity of my foes surrounds 1 Occurrence |
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