נִקּוּד

From the study of Joshua 9:12

Range of meaning

A rare plural noun found only three times: Joshua 9:5, 9:12 and 1 Kings 14:3. It belongs to the root n-q-d, 'to mark with points or spots', the root behind naqod, 'speckled' (Jacob's speckled flocks, Genesis 30:32–39). Suggested meanings: (1) crumbs or crumbled pieces (BDB); (2) spotted bread, i.e. speckled with mould; (3) a kind of hard, dotted or pricked biscuit that keeps a long time. In 1 Kings 14:3, Jeroboam's wife takes 'ten loaves, niqqudim, and a jar of honey' to the prophet, so there it names some type of baked item, perhaps a crisp, dotted cake (KJV 'cracknels').

Against the English

KJV, BSB, WEB and NIV-type translations say 'moldy'. YLT, ESV and NASB-type translations say 'crumbs' or 'crumbled'. Each choice takes one side of an open question. 'Moldy' follows the 'spotted' idea. 'Crumbled' follows the 'small pieces' idea and the Latin tradition.

How it drifted

No drift over time as such. The problem is that English has to choose one picture where the Hebrew word may have suggested both: bread that is dotted and breaking up.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek translation of Joshua (the Septuagint) describes the bread in 9:5 with words for 'mouldy' and 'eaten away'. The Latin Vulgate has 'hard and broken into pieces' (9:5) and 'crumbled by great age' (9:12). So both readings are ancient. 1 Kings 14:3 shows the word could name a baked good in its own right.

From the study of Joshua 9:5

Range of meaning

From the root nqd, 'to mark with points, speckle' (compare nāqōd 'speckled', Gen 30–31; nəquddôt 'studs' or 'points' of silver, Song 1:11). The word appears only in Josh 9:5, 9:12 and 1 Kgs 14:3. In 1 Kgs 14:3 niqqudîm is something Jeroboam's wife takes as a gift along with bread and honey, probably a kind of cake or biscuit, perhaps pricked or dotted, or hard and crumbly. In Joshua the proposed meanings are 'crumbs', 'crumbled pieces', 'hard dry biscuits', or 'spotted, i.e. moldy'.

Against the English

KJV, BSB, WEB and NIV say 'moldy'. YLT says 'crumbs', ESV 'crumbly' and NASB 'crumbled'. The two groups describe different pictures: mold spots versus bread that has dried and broken up.

How it drifted

'Moldy' comes from the 'speckled' sense of the root and from the Greek Septuagint, which here includes a word for mold. The 'crumbs' rendering follows Jewish tradition and the Latin Vulgate ('broken into pieces').

Used elsewhere in the period

BDB lists 'crumbs' for Joshua and 'a kind of cake (perhaps biscuits)' for 1 Kgs 14:3. HALOT gives similar meanings. Septuagint Joshua describes the bread as 'dry, moldy and eaten away' (εὐρωτιῶν). The Vulgate has 'hard and broken into pieces' (in frusta comminuti).