Original Word: דֶּקֶר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: daqar
Pronunciation: dah-KAR
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-kar')
KJV: pierce, strike (thrust) through, wound
NASB: pierce me through, pierce him through, pierced, pierced him through, pierced of them through, pierced through, stricken
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to stab
2. by analogy, to starve
3. (figuratively) to revile

pierce, strike through, wound

A primitive root; to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile -- pierce, strike (thrust) through, wound.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to pierce, pierce through
NASB Translation
pierce him through (1), pierce me through (2), pierced (1), pierced him through (1), pierced of them through (1), pierced through (1), stricken (1), thrust me through (1), thrust through (1), wounded (1).

[דָּקַר] verb pierce, pierce through (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic דְּקַר, ) —

Qal Perfect3plural דָּקָ֑רוּ Zechariah 12:10; suffix וּדְקָרֻנִי consecutive 1 Samuel 31:4, וּדְקָרֻהוּ consecutive Zechariah 13:3; Imperfect וַיִּדְקֹר Numbers 25:8, וַיִּדְקְרֵהוּ Judges 9:54 — pierce, run through (always with accusative): as retributive act, Israelite and Midianite woman Numbers 25:8; false prophet Zechariah 13:3; but also as speedy death Judges 9:54 (Abimelech); 1 Samuel 31:4 a (Saul) = 1 Chronicles 10:4, also 1 Samuel 31:4b (but strike out Be We after 1 Chronicles 10:4 & so ᵐ5^L 1 Samuel 31:4 b), see also Zechariah 12:10 (compare John 19:37).

Niph`al Imperfect יִדָּקֵר be pierced through, slain Isaiah 13:15 (in conquest of Babylonian by Medes).

Pu`al Participle plural מְדֻקָּרִים pierced, riddled, (i.e. desperately wounded) warriors, Jeremiah 37:10, slain Jeremiah 51:4 ("" חללים); by hunger Lamentations 4:9 ("" חַלְלֵי רָעָב).

Overview of Usage in Scripture

The verb דָּקַר (Strong’s H1856) is consistently used of violent penetration that results in death or mortal wounding. Its eleven appearances span Israel’s wilderness period, the era of the judges and monarchy, and the major and minor prophets, creating a canonical thread that binds historical narrative to eschatological hope.

Covenant Zeal and Purging of Sin (Numbers 25:8)

Phinehas “pierced both of them” in the Midianite woman’s tent, halting the plague. The act models righteous zeal that removes covenant-breaking impurity from among God’s people. Piercing here is not gratuitous brutality but a decisive, God-approved judgment that restores communal holiness (Psalm 106:30–31).

Military Honor and Shame (Judges 9:54; 1 Samuel 31:4; 1 Chronicles 10:4)

Abimelech and Saul each plead to be “pierced” by their own armor-bearers rather than suffer humiliation at enemy hands. The term therefore conveys more than physical death; it touches questions of honor, legacy, and the fear of ignominious treatment after defeat (compare 2 Samuel 1:21). In Saul’s case, refusal by the armor-bearer forces the king to fall on his own sword, showing that even Israel’s royalty could not escape the consequences of disobedience (1 Samuel 28:18).

National Judgment (Isaiah 13:15; Jeremiah 37:10; Jeremiah 51:4; Lamentations 4:9)

Prophetic oracles use the verb to describe Babylon’s destruction of nations and subsequent downfall. Those who oppose the Lord’s purposes are destined to be “run through” despite apparent strength, and even the “wounded men” of Babylon would rise to burn Jerusalem if God so decreed (Jeremiah 37:10). Lamentations 4:9 contrasts deaths “by the sword” with famine, portraying piercing as quick compared with extended suffering—underscoring that every form of judgment fulfills divine justice.

Covenant Enforcement within the Community (Zechariah 13:3)

False prophecy invites parental intervention so severe that the offender is “pierced through.” The verse portrays covenant fidelity as a family responsibility and anticipates the eschatological age when deception cannot coexist with the knowledge of the LORD (Zechariah 14:9).

Messianic Fulfillment and Eschatological Mourning (Zechariah 12:10)

The climactic use occurs when the LORD says, “They will look on Me whom they have pierced.” The text unites human agency in violence with divine self-identification, preparing the way for New Testament citation (John 19:37; Revelation 1:7). The mourning described is both national (house of David, inhabitants of Jerusalem) and personal (“as one mourns for an only child”), presenting piercing as the paradoxical means of salvation: the fatal wound of the Shepherd becomes the fountain of grace (Zechariah 13:1).

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Holiness Requires Radical Action: The initial use in Numbers shows that covenant breaches demand decisive, sometimes costly, remedies (Matthew 5:29–30 echoes the same principle).
2. Sin Brings Dishonor and Death: Saul’s and Abimelech’s deaths reveal how rebellion culminates in disgrace—an exhortation for leaders to seek integrity.
3. Divine Sovereignty over Warfare: Even the “wounded men” of Babylon fulfill God’s word, teaching reliance on divine protection rather than military calculus (Psalm 20:7).
4. Prophetic Certainty: The same verb unites oracles of judgment and promises of redemption, illustrating the coherence of Scripture’s message.
5. Christological Fulfillment: Zechariah 12:10’s quotation in John 19:37 shows that the literal piercing of Jesus’ side certifies His messianic identity and accomplishes atonement (Isaiah 53:5).
6. Pastoral Application: Mourning over the Pierced One leads to repentance and spiritual renewal; preaching should therefore direct hearts to the cross where judgment and mercy meet.

Related Concepts

• “Pierced” in Psalm 22:16 and Isaiah 53:5 (different Hebrew roots) complements דָּקַר, enriching the prophetic portrait of the suffering Messiah.
• Spiritual Circumcision (Deuteronomy 30:6; Colossians 2:11) echoes the idea that sin must be cut away, an inner counterpart to outward piercing.
• The sword imagery of Ephesians 6:17 reminds believers that the word of God can “pierce” for conviction and transformation (Hebrews 4:12).

Summary

דָּקַר traverses Scripture as an emblem of judgment that paradoxically ushers in divine mercy. Whether stopping a plague, ending a king’s life, prophesying national ruin, or pointing to the crucified Savior, each occurrence affirms that God’s purposes stand firm: sin is mortally serious, yet the One who is pierced for transgressors offers life to all who look upon Him in faith.

דָּקָ֑רוּ דקרו וְדָקְרֵ֣נִי וַיִּדְקְרֵ֥הוּ וַיִּדְקֹר֙ וּדְקָרֻ֙נִי֙ וּדְקָרֻ֜הוּ וּמְדֻקָּרִ֖ים ודקרהו ודקרני וידקר וידקרהו ומדקרים יִדָּקֵ֑ר ידקר מְדֻקָּרִ֑ים מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים מדקרים dā·qā·rū daKaru dāqārū mə·ḏuq·qā·rîm medukkaRim məḏuqqārîm ū·ḏə·qā·ru·hū ū·ḏə·qā·ru·nî ū·mə·ḏuq·qā·rîm udekaRuhu udekaRuni ūḏəqāruhū ūḏəqārunî umedukkaRim ūməḏuqqārîm vaiyidkeRehu vaiyidKor vedakeReni way·yiḏ·qə·rê·hū way·yiḏ·qōr wayyiḏqərêhū wayyiḏqōr wə·ḏā·qə·rê·nî wəḏāqərênî yid·dā·qêr yiddaKer yiddāqêrInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts