Original Word: יָקַע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: yaqa`
Pronunciation: yah-kah
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-kah')
KJV: be alienated, depart, hang (up), be out of joint
NASB: became disgusted, hanged, alienated, dislocated, execute, hang
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to sever oneself
2. (by implication) to be dislocated
3. (figuratively) to abandon
4. (causatively) to impale (and thus allow to drop to pieces by rotting)

be alienated, depart, hang up, be out of joint

A primitive root; properly, to sever oneself, i.e. (by implication) to be dislocated; figuratively, to abandon; causatively, to impale (and thus allow to drop to pieces by rotting) -- be alienated, depart, hang (up), be out of joint.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be dislocated or alienated
NASB Translation
alienated (1), became disgusted (2), dislocated (1), execute (1), hang (1), hanged (2).

יָקַע verb be dislocated, alienated (Arabic is fall, fall down, fall upon, befal, happen) —

Qal Imperfect3feminine singular תֵּקַע Jeremiah 6:8; וַתֵּ֫קַע Genesis 32:26 2t.; dislocated Genesis 32:26 (Jacob's thigh); elsewhere figurative of נפשׁ; torn away, alienated from any one, followed by מִן Jeremiah 6:8; Ezekiel 23:17; followed by מֵעַל Ezekiel 23:18.

Hiph`il Perfect וְהוֺקַעֲנוּם consecutive 2 Samuel 21:6; Imperfect וַיֹּקִיעֻם 2 Samuel 21:9; Imperative הוֺקַע Numbers 25:4; of some solemn form of execution, but meaning uncertain: Aq Ges impale; ᵐ5 ᵑ6 expose (ἐξηλιάζειν, παραδειγματἰζειν); ᵑ7 ᵑ9 crucify; Rs^{Rel. Semitic 398}-419throw down (Arabic ) a rock (compare 2 Chronicles 25:12): + ליהוה 2 Samuel 21:6 (׳לפני י 2 Samuel 21:9), Numbers 25:4.

Hoph`al Participle הַמּוּקָעִים 2 Samuel 21:13; passive of Hiph`il

Range of Meaning

יָקַע (yaqaʿ) gathers its eight occurrences around a single conceptual core: forcible separation from a former position. Whether a joint wrenched from its socket, a body lifted from the ground and displayed, or a relationship wrenched out of harmony, the verb depicts a violent sundering that leaves lasting impact.

Physical Dislocation and Personal Transformation (Genesis 32:25)

The earliest appearance concerns Jacob’s midnight wrestling. “When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he touched the socket of Jacob’s thigh and dislocated it as they wrestled” (Genesis 32:25). The crippling blow ends Jacob’s self-reliance and inaugurates his new identity as Israel. The damaged hip becomes a perpetual reminder that blessing follows brokenness. In biblical theology, the incident illustrates divine discipline that reforms rather than destroys (Hebrews 12:6). God may “dislocate” a strength to fit His servant for covenant purposes.

Judicial Exposure and Covenant Justice (Numbers 25:4; 2 Samuel 21)

Under Mosaic law the root moves from bone to body. At Baal Peor the Lord commands, “Take all the leaders of the people … and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD” (Numbers 25:4). The shameful suspension of guilty chiefs averts wrath from the nation. Centuries later the Gibeonites demand atonement for Saul’s bloodguilt: “Let seven men from his sons be given to us so that we may hang them before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul” (2 Samuel 21:6). Their exposure (21:9, 13) satisfies covenant law safeguarding innocent blood (Deuteronomy 19:10). The verb thus underscores that unatoned sin ruptures societal order until publicly dealt with. The practice foreshadows the cross, where the true Son is “hung on a tree” (Acts 5:30) so God’s wrath may turn away from His people.

Covenantal Alienation (Jeremiah 6:8; Ezekiel 23:17-18)

In the prophets the verb leaves the gallows for the inner life. “Be warned, O Jerusalem, or I will be alienated from you” (Jeremiah 6:8). Ezekiel echoes, “I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister” (Ezekiel 23:18). Here yaqaʿ depicts relational dislocation: hearts that once delighted in covenant fellowship now recoil in revulsion. The progression from physical severance to spiritual estrangement is deliberate. Israel’s moral dislocation from the Lord renders her blessings “out of joint,” eventually leading to exile. Yet the same prophets announce restoration (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:24-27), proving that divine withdrawal is disciplinary, not final.

Historical and Cultural Setting

Ancient Near Eastern law employed impalement or suspension to advertise judgment and deter rebellion. Israel, while distinct, incorporated the motif within strict boundaries—display until sunset and burial the same day (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). By using yaqaʿ, the biblical writers connect physical exposure to spiritual realities: sin separates, justice exposes, and only atoning mercy restores.

Thematic Connections

1. Separation leading to blessing: Jacob’s limp precedes his inheritance (Genesis 32:29).
2. Separation averting wrath: public execution turns away divine anger (Numbers 25:4).
3. Separation warning of exile: alienation language anticipates covenant curses (Leviticus 26:27-33).
4. Separation resolved in Christ: “While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10).

Ministry Application

• Personal discipleship: Seasons of divine “dislocation” may humble and redirect believers toward fruitful service.
• Corporate holiness: The church must address open sin lest the fellowship be spiritually disjointed (1 Corinthians 5:6-13).
• Evangelism and reconciliation: Proclaiming Christ’s atoning death invites those alienated by sin into restored communion (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
• Counseling and pastoral care: Spiritual estrangement often manifests after moral compromise; restoration requires both confrontation and grace, mirroring the balance in Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Summary

יָקַע portrays the wrenching apart of what once belonged together—bone from socket, body from earth, heart from covenant love. Scripture employs the verb to lay bare the cost of rebellion and the mercy that heals. Whether limping patriarch, executed rebel, or estranged nation, the displaced can be re-set only by the hand that first allowed the dislocation, pointing ultimately to the saving work of the Crucified and Risen Lord.

הַמּוּקָעִֽים׃ המוקעים׃ וְהוֹקַ֥ע וְהוֹקַֽעֲנוּם֙ וַיֹּקִיעֻ֤ם וַתֵּ֙קַע֙ וַתֵּ֤קַע וַתֵּ֥קַע והוקע והוקענום ויקיעם ותקע תֵּקַ֥ע תקע ham·mū·qā·‘îm hammukaIm hammūqā‘îm tê·qa‘ teKa têqa‘ vaiyokiUm vatTeka vehoKa vehokaaNum wat·tê·qa‘ wattêqa‘ way·yō·qî·‘um wayyōqî‘um wə·hō·w·qa‘ wə·hō·w·qa·‘ă·nūm wəhōwqa‘ wəhōwqa‘ănūmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts