Hebrew word · H5352

נָקָה

nakoh

to clear

Basic sense 'to be emptied, cleaned out'. In law and ethics: to be free from guilt, be acquitted, be exempt from an obligation or penalty (Gen 24:8, 41, released from an oath; Num 5:31). In the intensive form it means 'to hold someone guiltless' (Exod 20:7; 34:7).

Appears 44 times in 33 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) to be empty, be clear, be pure, be free, be innocent, be desolate, be cut off

1a) (Qal) to be empty, be clean, be pure

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be cleaned out, be purged out

1b2) to be clean, be free from guilt, be innocent

1b3) to be free, be exempt from punishment

1b4) to be free, be exempt from obligation

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to hold innocent, acquit

1c2) to leave unpunished

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Proverbs 28:20

Range of meaning

Basic sense 'to be emptied, cleaned out'. In law and ethics: to be free from guilt, be acquitted, be exempt from an obligation or penalty (Gen 24:8, 41, released from an oath; Num 5:31). In the intensive form it means 'to hold someone guiltless' (Exod 20:7; 34:7).

Against the English

KJV 'shall not be innocent' highlights the guilt. BSB/ESV/NIV 'will not go unpunished' highlight the consequence. YLT 'is not acquitted' keeps the courtroom image. The Hebrew holds both: he is not cleared, so he will pay.

Used elsewhere in the period

A fixed formula in Proverbs for sure retribution: 6:29 (the adulterer), 11:21 ('the evil man will not go unpunished'), 16:5 (the arrogant), 17:5 (one who mocks the poor), 19:5, 9 (the false witness). The Septuagint here renders ouk atimōrētos estai, 'will not be unpunished'.

From the study of Proverbs 17:5

Range of meaning

Basic sense 'to be emptied out, cleaned'. Hence 'to be clean, innocent', and legally 'to be acquitted, go free, be exempt from penalty'. The passive form used here means 'be held innocent, go unpunished'.

Against the English

'Will not go unpunished' (BSB, ESV, NIV, KJV) gives the outcome correctly. YLT's 'is not acquitted' keeps the courtroom picture. NLT turns it into a positive, 'will be punished', which drops the legal flavour of 'not cleared'.

Used elsewhere in the period

A stock phrase of Proverbs: 'will not go unpunished' (6:29; 11:21; 16:5; 19:5, 9; 28:20). It echoes the Sinai formulas where YHWH 'will by no means clear the guilty' (Exodus 34:7) and 'will not hold guiltless' the one who misuses his name (Exodus 20:7).

From the study of 1 Samuel 26:9

Range of meaning

The root has to do with being empty, clean, cleared. In the form used here (niphal) it means "be cleared, be free of obligation, be exempt from punishment": released from an oath (Gen 24:8, 41); the one who struck a man is "clear" if the victim recovers (Exod 21:19); the husband is "free from iniquity" (Num 5:31); "whoever touches her will not go unpunished" (Prov 6:29); "the evil man will not go unpunished" (Prov 11:21). In another form it gives the famous "he will by no means clear the guilty" (Exod 34:7). Related: naqi, "innocent," as in dam naqi, "innocent blood."

Against the English

"Guiltless" (KJV, BSB, WEB) is fair, but modern English hears it as inner moral innocence, a clean conscience. YLT's "acquitted" captures the legal side better: the question is whether the killer would be held liable and punished.

How it drifted

English "guilt" has moved toward a psychological feeling. In Hebrew, guilt is first an objective liability that clings to a person and calls for consequences, especially when blood has been shed.

Used elsewhere in the period

Jeremiah 25:29 uses the same kind of rhetorical question: "and shall you go entirely unpunished? You shall not go unpunished" (hinnakeh tinnaku… lo tinnaku). The concern with bloodguilt runs right through the preceding chapter: Abigail thanks Yahweh for keeping David "from coming into bloodguilt" (damim) and from "saving yourself with your own hand" (1 Sam 25:26, 33).

Where it appears

Genesis · 2

  1. Genesis 24:8 וְנִקִּ֕יתָ and you will be free

    And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”

  2. Genesis 24:41 תִּנָּקֶה֙ you will be free

    And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’

Exodus · 4

  1. Exodus 20:7 יְנַקֶּה֙ he will leave unpunished

    You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.

    Here: A courtroom word: to declare someone clear or let them off. A false oath could fool a human court, but YHWH himself will not clear the person who made it.

  2. Exodus 21:19 וְנִקָּ֣ה and he will be free from guilt

    then the one who struck him shall go unpunished, as long as the other can get up and walk around outside with his staff. Nevertheless, he must compensate the man for his lost work and see that he is completely healed.

    Here: "Then he is clear": released from the liability hanging over him, above all the death penalty of v.12 for a blow that kills. It is a legal acquittal on that charge, not a release from every obligation, as the next word shows.

  3. Exodus 34:7 וְנַקֵּה֙ יְנַקֶּ֔ה and certainly <to leave unpunished>, he leaves unpunished

    maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

    Here: An infinitive absolute: the bare verb set in front of the main verb for emphasis, roughly "clearing, he will not clear." The verb means declaring someone innocent or exempt from consequences.

Numbers · 5

  1. Numbers 5:19 הִנָּקִ֕י be free

    And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse.

  2. Numbers 5:28 וְנִקְּתָ֖ה and she will be free

    But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.

  3. Numbers 5:31 וְנִקָּ֥ה and he will be free

    The husband will be free from guilt, but the woman shall bear her iniquity.”

  4. Numbers 14:18 וְנַקֵּה֙ יְנַקֶּ֔ה and certainly <to leave unpunished>, he will leave unpunished

    ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’

    Here: The verb's 'to clear' form placed in front of the main verb for emphasis. Together they mean 'he will certainly not clear.'

Deuteronomy · 1

  1. Deuteronomy 5:11 יְנַקֶּה֙ he will leave unpunished

    You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.

    Here: A legal word. In this verb form it means to declare someone clean or innocent, to let them off. God will not treat the offender as innocent, even if no human court finds them out.

Judges · 1

  1. Judges 15:3 נִקֵּ֥יתִי I will be free

    Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines.”

1 Samuel · 1

  1. 1 Samuel 26:9 וְנִקָּֽה׃ פ and will he be free from guilt?

    But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”

    Here: "And been held clear?" A legal word: to be declared free of liability, to go unpunished. The question is not about a clear conscience. It asks whether anyone could kill Yahweh's anointed and escape the guilt and penalty of shed blood.

1 Kings · 1

  1. 1 Kings 2:9 תְּנַקֵּ֔הוּ you leave unpunished him

    Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”

Job · 2

  1. Job 9:28 תְנַקֵּֽנִי׃ you will acquit me

    I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me.

  2. Job 10:14 תְנַקֵּֽנִי׃ you will acquit me

    If I sinned, You would take note, and would not acquit me of my iniquity.

    Here: 'You will not clear me.' It is a courtroom word: to declare someone clean or free of liability, and so to let them go unpunished. Job pictures a judge who will never sign the release.

Psalms · 2

  1. Psalm 19:12 נַקֵּֽנִי׃ acquit me

    Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

    Here: An intensive command form with "me" attached. With "from" it means "declare me free of liability for," "release me from." It is a courtroom word: do not count these unknown wrongs against me. It is the verb of Exodus 20:7, "the LORD will not hold him guiltless."

  2. Psalm 19:13 וְ֝נִקֵּ֗יתִי and I will be acquitted

    Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.

    Here: "And I will be clear," meaning cleared of guilt and its penalty, as in a court ruling. It picks up "clear me" (naqqēnî) from verse 12.

Proverbs · 7

  1. Proverbs 6:29 יִ֝נָּקֶ֗ה he will go unpunished

    So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

  2. Proverbs 11:21 יִנָּ֣קֶה he will go unpunished

    Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

    Here: A passive verb in the future-looking form: 'will be held clean / acquitted / let off'. It comes from courtroom and obligation language. The bad person will not leave the case declared innocent or free of what he owes.

  3. Proverbs 16:5 יִנָּקֶֽה׃ he will go unpunished

    Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.

    Here: 'He will be cleared', meaning declared clean, released from liability, let off. With 'not' it is a verdict: the arrogant person will not walk away clear of the consequences.

  4. Proverbs 17:5 יִנָּקֶֽה׃ he will go unpunished

    He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

    Here: 'Will be held clean/innocent', a word from the courtroom. With 'not', it means he will not be acquitted. No judge is named, but the first line has just brought God in as the injured party.

  5. Proverbs 19:5 יִנָּקֶ֑ה he will go unpunished

    A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

    Here: Passive form: "he will not be held clean / acquitted / let off". This is the language of a verdict: the false witness will not be pronounced free of guilt. Who gives the verdict (the court or God) is left unsaid.

  6. Proverbs 19:9 יִנָּקֶ֑ה he will go unpunished

    A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

    Here: A passive form: 'will not be held clean / acquitted / left free'. It is the word for a court verdict. The man who tried to get someone else wrongly convicted will not himself walk away cleared.

  7. Proverbs 28:20 יִנָּקֶֽה׃ he will go unpunished

    A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

    Here: A courtroom word: 'he will not be cleared'. It means he will not be counted free of guilt and so will not escape the penalty. The guilt and the punishment are held together in one word.

Isaiah · 1

  1. Isaiah 3:26 וְנִקָּ֖תָה and it will be emptied

    And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.

    Here: In this passive form it means 'she will be cleaned out', swept bare or emptied of what she held. The context fits this exactly: her jewels and finery (3:18–24), and then her men (3:25), are taken away. The root usually means 'clean' or 'acquitted', which gives the word a bitter edge here.

Jeremiah · 11

  1. Jeremiah 2:35 נִקֵּ֔יתִי I am innocent

    you say, ‘I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.’ Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’

    Here: A legal claim: 'I have been cleared; I am free of liability; I go unpunished.' It uses the same root as the 'innocent' (nəqiyyîm) poor of v. 34, whose blood is on her clothes. She takes for herself the very word her victims deserved.

  2. Jeremiah 25:29 הִנָּקֵ֣ה תִנָּק֑וּ תִנָּק֔וּ certainly <to exempt from punishment>, will you be exempt from punishment?, you will be exempt from punishment

    For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts.’

    Here: An intensifying form placed before the main verb: 'go entirely free'. Spoken in a tone of disbelief.

  3. Jeremiah 30:11 וְנַקֵּ֖ה אֲנַקֶּֽךָּ׃ פ and certainly <to leave unpunished>, I will leave unpunished you

    For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have scattered you, I will not completely destroy you. Yet I will discipline you justly, and will by no means leave you unpunished.”

    Here: An intensifying form placed before the main verb ('clearing… I will not clear'); it heightens the statement. This is courtroom language about declaring someone free of guilt.

  4. Jeremiah 46:28 וְנַקֵּ֖ה אֲנַקֶּֽךָּ׃ ס and certainly <to leave unpunished>, I will leave unpunished you

    And you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, for I am with you. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have banished you, I will not completely destroy you. Yet I will discipline you justly, and will by no means leave you unpunished.”

    Here: A form that doubles the verb for emphasis (an infinitive absolute): “clearing.” Its legal sense is to declare someone free of guilt.

  5. Jeremiah 49:12 נָקֹ֖ה תִּנָּקֶ֑ה תִנָּקֶ֔ה completely <exempt from punishment>, will you be exempt from punishment?, you will be exempt from punishment

    For this is what the LORD says: “If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, can you possibly remain unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for you must drink it too.

Joel · 2

  1. Joel 3:21 וְנִקֵּ֖יתִי נִקֵּ֑יתִי and I will leave unpunished, I left unpunished

    For I will avenge their blood, which I have not yet avenged.” For the LORD dwells in Zion.

Nahum · 2

  1. Nahum 1:3 וְנַקֵּ֖ה יְנַקֶּ֑ה and certainly <to leave unpunished>, he will leave unpunished

    The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

    Here: An infinitive placed before the same verb to add emphasis: 'clearing…'. Here it makes the denial absolute. The wording is the courtroom and purity language of being declared clean or free of guilt.

Zechariah · 2

  1. Zechariah 5:3 נִקָּ֔ה נִקָּֽה׃ he will be purged

    Then he told me, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land, for according to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed; and according to the other side, every perjurer will be removed.

    Here: In this verb form it can mean 'be acquitted, go free' or 'be cleaned out, emptied'. The second sense fits here because v.4 describes the house being destroyed: the thief is swept out of the land. Grammatically it is a completed-action form, used here to present a coming event as already settled.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.