עָקֵב
A heel (as protuberant); hence, a track ; figuratively, the rear (of an army)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.
What does עָקֵב (‘āqēḇ) mean in the Bible?
עָקֵב (‘āqēḇ) is a Hebrew word meaning "a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track ; figuratively, the rear (of an army)". a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army) BDB: heel Usage: heel, (horse-) hoof, last, lier in wait (by mistake for 6120), (foot-) step.
Meaning
Heel as bodily extremity extends to footprints, trajectory, and rearguard—connoting vulnerability and pursuit.
a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army) BDB: heel Usage: heel, (horse-) hoof, last, lier in wait (by mistake for 6120), (foot-) step.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Showing 8 of 13 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.