נָכָה

From the study of Isaiah 53:4

Range of meaning

Nakah means strike, beat, wound, or kill. When God is the one striking, it usually means a plague or a judgment (Deut 28:22, 27, 35, 'the LORD will strike you with…'). The passive form joined to 'God' means 'struck by God.' A few scholars read ʾĕlōhîm as an intensifier ('terribly struck'), but that is a minority view.

Against the English

KJV 'smitten of God', ESV 'smitten by God', BSB 'struck down by God'. NIV makes it 'punished by God', and NLT adds 'for his own sins', putting the onlookers' reasoning into the text.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deuteronomy 28's curses use nakah for the diseases God would send on an unfaithful Israel. Job's friends reason in the same way: great suffering means great guilt.

From the study of Isaiah 9:13

Range of meaning

Strike or hit, from one blow up to striking down, defeating or killing. It is also used of God bringing disaster or disease on a people (Lev 26:24; Deut 28:22, 27–28).

Against the English

'Him who struck them' (BSB, WEB) is accurate. YLT's 'Him who is smiting' keeps the ongoing feel of the Hebrew form better. 'Struck' can sound like one finished blow, when the poem describes blow after blow.

Used elsewhere in the period

Leviticus 26:24 has Yahweh say 'I myself will strike you seven times for your sins', in the covenant curses that are meant to bring about humbling and confession (26:40–41). Isaiah 10:20 later says the survivors will no longer lean on 'the one who struck them' (makkehu, there meaning Assyria) but on Yahweh, a deliberate echo. Isaiah 30:26 and 57:17 also present Yahweh as the one who strikes and then heals.

From the study of Genesis 14:5

Range of meaning

Strike, hit or beat. It covers a single blow, a wound, striking someone dead, and defeating an army or city in battle. In battle reports it often means 'defeat, rout', and it does not necessarily mean wiping everyone out.

Against the English

KJV 'smote', WEB 'struck', BSB/NIV/ESV/NASB 'defeated'. All are fair. 'Smote' is archaic but keeps the physical force of the word. 'Defeated' brings out the military result.

Used elsewhere in the period

It is the stock verb in Israelite and other ancient battle accounts (e.g. Gen 14:15, 17; Num 21:24, 35; Deut 2:33). Num 21:35 uses it for Israel's defeat of Og, the Rephaite king of Bashan.