Lexical Definition

‎נָכָה‎ nâkâh (naw-kaw') to smite ^H:V
a primitive root

beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.

• to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill
1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten
1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust
1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast)
1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage
1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy
1d) (Hophal) to be smitten
1d1) to receive a blow
1d2) to be wounded
1d3) to be beaten
1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain
1d5) to be attacked and captured
1d6) to be smitten (with disease)
1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

See Greek: ἀδικέω · ἀναιρέω · ἀποκτείνω · ἀπόλλυμι · βάλλω · διασπείρω · ἐκκαίω · ἐκκόπτω · ἐξολοθρεύω · ἐπάγω · θανατόω · κατάγνυμι · κατάγω · κατακόπτω · κοπή · κόπτω · λαμβάνω · μαστιγόω · μαστίζω · μάχομαι · παίω · παραδίδωμι · πατάσσω · πίπτω · πλήσσω · συντρίβω · τύπτω · φονεύω

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[‎נָכָה‎]₅₀₁ verb smite (not in Qal) (Late Hebrew Hiph`il id.; Perfect 3 plural ‎הכו‎ SI<sup>4</sup>, Infinitive [‎ת‎]‎להכ‎ ib. 2; Syriac , laesit, nocuit, repugnavit; Aph`el laesit, vulneravit; Ethiopic laesit, nocuit; compare Arabic be defeated, the inflicting of injury on an enemy Lane³⁰³⁸); —

Niph`al Perfect ‎וְנִכָּה וָמֵת‎ consecutive 2Sam 11:15 and he shall be smitten [struck by weapon in battle] and die.

Pu`al Perfect 3 feminine singular ‎נֻכָּ֑תָה‎ Exod 9:31 3 plural ‎נֻכּוּ‎ vExod 9:32 (J), both be smitten down by the hail.

Hiph`il<sub>482</sub> Perfect 3 masculine singular ‎הִכָּה‎ Exod 9:25 +; suffix ‎וְהִכַּ֫נִי‎ consecutive Gen 32:12*, ‎הִכָּם‎ Jer 5:6 2 masculine singular ‎הִכִּ֫יתָ‎ Exod 17:5 +; 1 singular ‎הִכֵּיתִי‎ Judg 15:16 +, ‎וְהִכֵּתִ֫י‎ Exod 3:20 +; 3 plural ‎הִכּוּ‎ Gen 19:11 +; 2 masculine plural ‎הִכִּיתֶם‎ Jer 37:10 + 3 t. consecutive; etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular ‎יַכֶּה‎ Exod 21:20 +, ‎יַךְ‎ Hos 6:1 (but read ‎וַיַּךְ‎ We Now GASm); ‎וְיַח‎ Hos 14:6* (see below); ‎וַיַּכֶּה‎ Josh 10:40 +, usually ‎וַיַּךְ‎ Exod 2:12 +; suffix 2 masculine singular ‎יַכֶּ֫כָּה‎ Jer 40:15 + 2 t., 3 masculine singular ‎וַיַּכּוֺ‎ 2Sam 14:6 (but read ‎וַיַּךְ‎ ᵐ5. ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th We Dr Klo Kit Bu HPS), ‎יַכֶּ֫נּוּ‎ 1Sam 17:25 + 2 t.; usually ‎וַיַּכֵּ֫הוּ‎ Num 21:24 +; 3 feminine singular ‎וַתַּךְ‎ Jonah 4:7; Jonah 4:8 2 masculine singular ‎תַּכֶּה‎ Exod 2:13 +; suffix 3 masculine singular ‎תַּכֶּ֫נּוּ‎ Prov 23:13; Prov 23:14 1 singular ‎אַכֶּה‎ 1Sam 18:11 +; ‎וָאַכֶּה‎ Neh 13:25, ‎וָאַךְ‎ Exod 9:15 3 masculine plural ‎יַכוּ‎ Mic 4:14* usually ‎וַיַּכּוּ‎ Gen 14:5 + (1Sam 4:2 read probably Hoph`al q. v.); 1 plural ‎נַכֶּהֿ‎ Num 22:6 ‎וַנַךְ‎ Deut 2:33, etc.; Imperative ‎הַכֵּה‎ Ezek 6:11, ‎הַךְ‎ Amos 9:1 +; masculine plural ‎הַכּוּ‎ 2Sam 13:28, etc.; Infinitive absolute ‎הַכֵּה‎ Deut 3:16 +, ‎הַכּוֺת‎ 2Kgs 3:24 (Ges^{«GKC:75ff»§ 75ff}); cstr. ‎הַכּוֺת‎ Gen 4:15 +, etc.; Participle ‎מַכֶּה‎ Exod 2:11 +; construct ‎מַכֵּה‎ Exod 21:12 +; plural ‎מַכִּים‎ 1Sam 4:8 +, etc.; —

1. a. literally, smite (with a single, non-fatal, blow), strike, followed by accusative, ass Num 22:23; Num 22:25; Num 22:27 (‎בְּמַקֵּל‎), vNum 22:28 vNum 22:32 (all J); man Exod 21:15; Exod 21:19 (E); cheeks Job 16:10 man (on) cheek (2 accusative) Lam 3:30; Ps 3:8* man ‎עַללְֿחִי‎ Mic 4:14* (‎ב‎ instrumental), 1Kgs 22:24 = 2Chr 18:23 eye Exod 21:26 (E); ‎שֵׁבֶט מַכֵּךְ‎ Isa 14:29 (figurative of conqueror); with ‎(בׅ‎ stone or fist Exod 21:18 (E), compare (figurative) Isa 58:4 (absolute); smite lion or bear 1Sam 17:35 strike river (with rod ‎מַטֶּה‎) 1Sam 7:17 (with ‎עַל‎ object, + ‎ב‎ instrumental), v1Sam 7:20; Exod 17:5 (E; ‎ב‎ instrumental), also (with mantle) 2Kgs 2:8; 2Kgs 2:14 (twice in verse), compare ‎׳‎‎י‎ smiting Euphrates into ‎(לׅ‎ seven streams Isa 11:15 dust Exod 8:12*; Exod 8:13* (P); rock Exod 17:6 (E), Num 20:11 (P; ‎ב‎ instrumental), Ps 78:20 figurative smite earth ‎בְּשֵׁבֶט פִּיו‎ Isa 11:4 (of future Davidic king); strike on ground (‎אַ֫רְצָה‎; with arrows) 2Kgs 13:18, also (absolute) v2Kgs 13:18 v2Kgs 13:19 strike weapons out of (‎מִן‎) hands, Ezek 39:3 (‎׳‎‎י‎; figurative of making powerless); lintel of door Amos 9:1 barley-loaf strikes tent Judg 7:13 (in dream); in figure of regret, remorse ‎וַיַּךְ לֵב דָּוִד אֹתוֺ‎ 2Sam 24:10 and David's heart smote him, so 1Sam 24:6* (+ ‎עַלאֲֿשֶׁר‎ because); of goat smiting (butting with horn) the ram, so as to break its horns Dan 8:7 (in vision); smite = hit with missile, sling-stone 1Sam 17:49 (with accusative of person + ‎אֶלמִֿצְחוֺ‎), compare 2Kgs 3:25 (but text perhaps corrupt, see Benz); arrow, 1Kgs 22:34 = 2Chr 18:33 (with accusative of person + ‎בֵּין‎), 2Kgs 9:24 (c. id.); of piercing, ‎הַכּוֺת‎ ‎בַּחֲנִית בְּדָוִד וּבַקִּיר‎ 1Sam 19:10 smite with the dart into David and into the wall, pin David to the wall, ‎בַּקִּיר‎ ‎׳‎‎וַיַּךְ אֶתהַֿח‎ v1Sam 19:10, compare 1Sam 18:11, ‎אַכֶּנּוּ בַחֲנִית וּבָאָרֶץ‎ 1Sam 26:8.
b. smite repeatedly, beat, a man Exod 2:11; Exod 2:13 (E), Exod 5:16 (J), Neh 13:25 (‎מִן‎ partitive), compare Deut 25:11 here probably also 1Kgs 20:35 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 20:37 (twice in verse) (‎הַכֵּה וּפָצֹעַ‎ beating and bruising him); of Assyria under figure of taskmaster Isa 10:24 beat a woman so as to bruise her (‎פָּצַע‎) Song 5:7 beat by authority, scourge Jer 20:2; Jer 37:15; Deut 25:2; Deut 25:3 (with accusative of person + accusative of congnate meaning with verb ‎מַכָּה רַבָּה‎), vDeut 25:3 compare ‎כִּן הַכּוֺת‎ vDeut 25:2 i.e. worthy of scourging, bastinado, (compare Dr); 2Chr 25:16; Prov 17:10; Prov 19:25; Prov 23:13; Prov 23:14 (‎ב‎ instrumental); compare ‎גֵּוִי נָחַתִּי לְמַכִּים‎ Isa 50:6 of hail, beat down herbage etc. Exod 9:25 (twice in verse) (compare Pu`al).
c. ‎וַיַּכּוּ כַף‎ 2Kgs 11:12 and they clapped hands (in applause); elsewhere only Ezek., in mockery; ‎כַּף אֶלכַּֿף‎ Ezek 21:19*; Ezek 21:22* ‎בְּכַפְּךָ‎ Ezek 6:11 (|| ‎רְקַּע בְּרַגְלְךָ‎; accusative ‎כַּפִּי‎ Ezek 22:13.
d. give a thrust (with fork) into (‎ב‎) pot 1Sam 2:14 strike roots Hos 14:6* (in figurative, but ‎וַיֵּלְכוּ‎ We Now).
e. rarely smite (in battle) so as (merely) to wound 1Kgs 8:28, so (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb ‎מַכָּה‎) v1Kgs 8:29; 1Kgs 9:18 = 2Chr 22:6 figurative of ‎׳‎‎י‎'s wounding Israel Hos 6:1 (opposed to ‎חָבַשׁ‎ bind up), Jer 30:14 (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb). compare smite with (‎ב‎) the tongue Jer 18:18. feminine smite, of sun, etc., with accusative of person Isa 49:10; Ps 121:6 with ‎עַל‎ Jonah 4:8.

2. Smite fatally:
a. (subject man) smite, with accusative, + word of killing (dying): — object lion and bear 1Sam 17:35 man Exod 21:12; Exod 21:20 (E), Josh 10:26 (JE), Josh 11:17 (D), 1Sam 17:50; 2Sam 1:15; 2Sam 2:31 (‎מִן‎ partitive + ‎ב‎ among), 2Sam 4:7; 2Sam 14:6; 2Sam 18:15; 2Sam 21:17; 1Kgs 16:10; 2Kgs 12:22*; 2Kgs 15:30; 2Kgs 25:21 = Jer 52:27; 2Kgs 25:25; Jer 41:2; Num 35:16; Num 35:17; Num 35:18; Num 35:21 (P; all with ‎ב‎ instrumental); with accusative + ‎אֶלחֹֿמֶשׁ‎ + ‎ב‎ instrumental 2Sam 2:23 smote him (fatally) in the belly with (on text see HPS), 2Sam 20:10, compare 2Sam 3:27; 2Sam 4:6 (but strike out ᵐ5 Ew Th We Dr Bu HPS); ‎וְהִכָּהוּ נֶפֶשׁ‎ Deut 19:11 and he smite him in his life (mortally), and he die, compare (without word of dying) vDeut 19:6; Gen 37:21 (J), Jer 40:14; Jer 40:15 [otherwise Lev 24:17; Lev 24:18; Lev 35:15; Lev 35:30; Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9]; with prolepsis ‎לְהַכּוֺת חֲלָלִים‎ smite the slain Judg 20:31; Judg 20:39 + ‎אַ֫רְצָה‎ smite to the ground i.e. kill 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 18:11.
b. smite, of worm gnawing or boring so as to kill plant Jonah 4:7.
c. very often = kill, slay, man or beast (c. 150 t.): Gen 4:15; Gen 8:21 (exterminate; both J), Exod 2:12; Num 21:35 (E), Josh 7:5 (‎מִן‎ partitive), vJosh 7:5 (JE), Deut 19:6; Deut 21:1; Deut 27:24; Deut 27:25; Josh 11:10 (‎ב‎ instrumental; all D), Lev 24:17; Lev 24:18; Lev 24:21 (twice in verse) (H), Num 35:11; Num 35:15; Num 35:21; Num 35:24; Num 35:30; Josh 9:18; Josh 20:3; Josh 20:9 (all P), Judg 15:16; 1Sam 17:9 (twice in verse); 1Sam 17:36; 2Sam 12:9 (‎ב‎ instrumental), 2Kgs 9:7 (exterminate), etc.; with ‎ב‎ among 1Sam 23:5, ‎מִן‎ partitive Judg 14:19; Judg 20:45 with ‎ב‎ partitive slay at, work slaughter among 2Sam 23:10 (insert also in || 1Chr 11:13 see Be^{on the passage} Dr^{2Sam 23:10}), but also ‎ב‎ of direct object 1Sam 18:7; 1Sam 21:12*; 1Sam 29:5 subject lion 1Kgs 20:36 (twice in verse) compare Jer 5:6 (figurative of judgment); ‎׳‎‎י‎ subject 1Sam 6:19b (‎ב‎ among, + accusative of congnate meaning with verb; 1Sam 6:19 a ‎וַיַּךְ‎ corrupt see ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kl Kit Bu HPS); slay firstborn Exod 12:2 (J), vExod 12:29; Num 3:13; Num 8:17; Num 33:4 (all P), Ps 78:51; Ps 105:36; Ps 135:8 God slays for (‎עַל‎) sin 2Sam 6:7 = 1Chr 13:10 (‎עַלאֲֿשֶׁר‎); slay ‎לְפִיחֶֿרֶב‎ Deut 13:16*; Deut 20:13; (all D), Judg 18:27; Judg 21:10; 1Sam 22:9; 2Kgs 10:25; Jer 21:7; Job 1:15; Job 1:17 kill, slay, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb (‎מַכָּה‎) 1Sam 14:14; 1Kgs 20:21 (‎ב‎ among), 2Chr 13:17 (‎בָּהֶם‎), 2Chr 25:13 (‎מֵהֶם‎); with accusative of person + accusative of congnate meaning with verb Josh 10:20 (JE), Esth 9:5, etc.; kill unwittingly, unintentionally ‎הִכָּה בִבְלִי דַ֫עַת‎ Deut 19:4; Josh 20:5 (both D).

3. Smite = attack, attack and destroy a company Gen 32:9*; Gen 32:12*; Gen 34:30; Josh 8:21; Judg 8:11; Judg 9:43; 2Kgs 8:21; 2Chr 21:9 attack and capture a city Judg 1:8 vJudg 1:12 = Josh 15:16 (JE), Josh 7:3; Josh 10:4 (JE), 1Sam 30:1; 1Kgs 15:20 = 2Chr 16:4; 2Kgs 15:16 (twice in verse); 1Chr 20:1; 2Chr 14:13*; Jer 47:1 tents 1Chr 4:41; 2Chr 14:14* = sack a city ‎לְפִיחֶֿרֶב‎ (slaying inhabitants), Josh 8:24; Josh 19:47 (both J E), Josh 10:28; Josh 10:30; Josh 10:32; Josh 10:35; Josh 10:37 compare vJosh 10:39 (all D), Judg 1:25; Judg 20:37; 2Sam 15:14 especially defeat king or army (involving often overthrow, pursuit and slaughter), — approximately 95 t., — Gen 14:5; Gen 14:15; Gen 14:17; Num 14:45; Num 21:24 (JE), Josh 8:12; Josh 10:10 (+ accusative of congnate meaning with verb), vJosh 10:10 (‎עַד‎ location), Josh 11:8 (twice in verse) (all J E), Deut 1:4; Deut 2:33; Deut 3:3; Deut 4:46; Deut 7:2; Deut 29:6*; Josh 10:33; Josh 10:40 (‎מִןו֯עד‎ location), Josh 12:1; Josh 12:6; Josh 12:12; Josh 13:12 (all D); Judg 1:5; Judg 1:17; 1Sam 11:11 (‎עד‎ temporal), 1Kgs 13:17 (‎עַדכַּֿלֵּה‎), 2Kgs 3:24a + v2Kgs 3:24b (where read ‎וַיָּבֹאוּ בוֺא וְהַכּוֺת‎ and they went on defeating), Isa 10:20; Jer 37:10, etc.; insert ‎וַיַּךְ‎ or ‎הִכָּה‎ in 2Sam 8:13 Th Ke Kit Bu compare Dr, after ᵐ5; with ‎ב‎ object 1Sam 14:31; 1Sam 23:2 (twice in verse) (‎ה‎ locative — ‎מִן‎); + ‎לְפִי חֶרֶב‎ Judg 20:48, etc.; of gods causing defeat 2Chr 28:23 smite land = conquer, subjugate, sometimes ravage, Gen 14:7; Josh 10:40 (D), 1Sam 27:9; Jer 43:11; Jer 46:13, compare Isa 14:6 (accusative of congnate meaning with verb); subject ‎׳‎‎י‎ Num 32:4 (P); of ‎׳‎‎י‎ smiting sea ‎וְהִכָּה בַיָּם גַּלִּים‎ Zech 10:11 (Bev^{JPhoenician xviii. 35 (1889), 88} proposes ‎גבלים‎).

4. Of God,
a. smite with (‎ב‎) a plague, disease, etc.: — blindness Gen 19:11 (J), 2Kgs 6:18 (twice in verse) compare Zech 12:4 (twice in verse) (symbolic); of Egyptian plagues Exod 3:20; Exod 9:15 (both J), 1Sam 4:8, without ‎ב‎ Exod 7:25 (J), Exod 12:13 (P), Ps 136:10 (accusative + ‎בִּבְכוֺרֵיהֶם‎); other plagues Num 14:12 (JE), Deut 28:22; Deut 28:27; Deut 28:28; Deut 28:35; 1Sam 5:6; 2Sam 24:17; Job 2:7; Amos 4:9; Hag 2:17; Mal 3:24* without ‎ב‎, 1Sam 5:9; 2Kgs 19:35 = Isa 37:26; Num 11:33 (J E; ‎בָּעָם‎ + accusative of congnate meaning with verb); smite vines with (‎ב‎) blight Ps 105:33.
b. smite = chastise, or send judgment upon, usually with accusative, 1Kgs 14:15; 1Chr 21:7; Isa 5:25; Isa 9:12*; Isa 27:7 (‎הַכְּמַכַּת מַכֵּהוּ הִכָּהוּ‎), Isa 30:31 (‎ב‎ instrumental) Isa 57:17; Isa 60:10 (opposed to ‎רִחַם‎) Jer 2:30; Jer 5:3; Jer 14:9; Ezek 32:15 (ᵐ5 Co ‎זֵרָה‎ scatter); with ‎עִל‎ punish for, (sin) Lev 26:24 (H).
c. of God's destroying palaces Amos 3:15; Amos 6:11 (2 accusative), compare Zech 9:4.

Hoph`al Perfect ‎הֻכָּה‎ Hos 9:16; Num 25:14, ‎הוּכָּה‎ Ps 102:5* ‎וְהֻכָּה‎ consecutive Exod 22:1* 3 feminine singular ‎הֻכְּתָה‎ Ezek 33:21; Ezek 40:1 1 singular ‎הֻכֵּ֫יתִי‎ Zech 13:6 3 plural‎הֻכּוּ‎ 1Sam 5:12 Imperfect 3 masculine plural ‎וַיֻּכּוּ‎ Exod 5:14 2 masculine plural ‎תֻּכּוּ‎ Isa 1:5 Participle ‎מֻכֶּה‎ Num 25:14, construct ‎מֻכֵּה‎ Isa 53:4 feminine ‎מֻכָּה‎ Num 25:15; Num 25:18 plural ‎מֻכִּים‎ Exod 5:16, construct ‎מֻכֵּיֿ‎ Jer 18:21 — be smitten:

1. = receive a blow Isa 1:5 (Judah under figure of man).

2. be wounded Zech 13:6.

3. be beaten Exod 5:14; Exod 5:16 (J).

4. be (fatally) smitten + verb of dying Exod 22:1* (E); be killed, slain Num 25:14 (twice in verse); Num 25:15; Num 25:18 (with ‎עַל‎, for), ‎מֻכֵּיחֶֿרֶב‎ Jer 18:21 (|| ‎הֲרֻגֵי מָ֑וֶת‎); so also (absolute) probably 1Sam 4:2 (read ‎וַיֻּכּוּ‎ ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th Dr Klo Kit, for ᵑ0 ‎וַיַּכּוּ‎).

5. be attacked and captured, of city Ezek 33:21; Ezek 40:1.

6. be smitten with disease (by God) 1Sam 5:12 absolute, of ‎׳‎‎י‎'s servant Isa 53:4.

7. be blighted, of plant (in figurative) Hos 9:16 (Ehpraimitic source), Ps 102:5* (heart, ‎כָּעֵשֶׂב‎; both + ‎יָבַשׁ‎).

Brown-Driver-Briggs References