Original Word: נָקַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: naqaph
Pronunciation: naw-kaf'
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-kaf')
KJV: compass (about, -ing), cut down, destroy, go round (about), inclose, round
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode)
2. (by implication) (of attack) to knock together, i.e. surround or circulate

compass about cut down, destroy, go round about, enclose, round

A primitive root; to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to knock together, i.e. Surround or circulate -- compass (about, -ing), cut down, destroy, go round (about), inclose, round.

I. [נָקַף] verb strike off (Late Hebrew strike, wound, Aramaic נְקַף id.; Arabic fregit caput, ut cerebrum appareret; Vulgar Arabic snap with the finger (Dozy^{ii. 716}); Assyrian na‡pu probably= mutilated; Ethiopic peel, flay Di⁶⁴⁹); —

Niph`al Perfect3masculine singular וְנִקַּף סִבְכֵי הַיַּ֫עַר consecutive Isaiah 10:34 and the thickets of the forest shall be struck away (on singular verb compare Ges<sup>§ 145o</sup> Da<sup>Synt. § 113 b</sup>; or. read נִקְּפוּ; — form possibly Pi`el, but compare Di Du Che^Hpt).

Pi`el Perfect3plural וְאַחַר עוֺרִי נִקְּפוּזֹֿאת Job 19:25 after my skin, which they (Ges^{§ 144g}) have struck off (alluding to ravages of his disease) — this! but text dubious; Bu כָּזאֹת נִקַּף

Niph`al which has been thus struck off.

II. [נָקַף verb] go around (intransitive), (Ecclus 45:9 Hiph`il ויקיפהו surround something with (2 accusative); Perfect 3 feminine singular הקיפה 43:12 (accusative+ ב instrumental); Late Hebrew Hiph`il הִקִּיף = Biblical Hebrew; also = cling to, be attached, joined to, and so Aramaic אַקֵּיף (Aph`el), );

Qal Imperfect חַגִּים יִנְקֹ֑פוּ Isaiah 29:1 (figurative) let feasts go around, i.e. run the round (of the year).

Hiph`il Perfect הִקִּיף Job 19:6; 3feminine singular הִקִּ֫יפָהִ Isaiah 15:8; 3plural הִקִּ֫יפוּ Job 1:5; Psalm 88:18, וְהִקִּיפוּ consecutive 2 Chronicles 23:7, suffix הִקִּיפוּנִי Psalm 22:17; 2masculine plural וְהִקַּפְתֶּם consecutive 2 Kings 11:8; Imperfect וַיַּקַּף Lamentations 3:5; 3masculine plural יַקִּ֫יפוּ Psalm 17:9, וַיַּקִּ֫פוּ 2 Kings 6:14; 2masculine plural תַּקִּ֫פוּ Leviticus 19:27; Imperative masculine plural suffix הַקִּיפ֫וּהָ Psalm 48:13; Infinitive absolute הַקֵּיף Joshua 6:3, הַקֵּף Joshua 6:11; Participle plural מַקִּ(י)פִים 1 Kings 7:24; 2Chronicles 4:3; —

1 go around, surround, encompass:

a. go around, with accusative of city, Joshua 6:3 compare Joshua 6:11 (accusative omitted), Psalm 48:13 (all "" סָבָב); also (figurative) הִקִּ֫יפָה הַזְּעָקָה אֶתֿ Isaiah 15:8 the cry hath gone about the border of Moab.

b. surround, encompass, enclose, usually with ׃עַלֿ וַיַּקִּ֫פוּ עַלהָֿעִיר 2 Kings 6:14 and they closed in upon the city (beleaguered it); with עַל person 2 Kings 11:8 (+ סָבִיב), Psalm 17:9; Psalm 88:18 ("" סָבַב), + accusative of thing Job 19:6 he hath closed his net in upon me compare Lamentations 3:5; less often with accusative of person Psalm 22:17 ("" סָבַב), 2 Chronicles 23:7 ("" 2 Kings 11:8; + סָבִיב), also of inanimate things 1 Kings 7:24 2Chronicles 4:3 (both + סָבִיב, "" סָבַב).

2 make the round, i.e. complete the circuit יְמֵי הַמִּשְׁתֶּה ׳הִקּ Job 1:5 when the days of feasting had completed their circuit.

3 make round, round off (literally): מְּאַת ראֹשְׁכֶם ׳לֹא חַקּ Leviticus 19:27 ("" לֹא תַשְׁחִית אֵת מְּאַת זְקָנֶ֑ךָ), of heathen rite.

קוף (√of following; apparently = II. נקף, go around).

Encirclement: Sovereign Containment and Protection

The verb paints vivid scenes of a circle being drawn—sometimes by God for defense, sometimes by adversaries for assault. Joshua 6:3-11 records Israel marching around Jericho, an act of obedient encirclement that became the means of divine victory. Conversely, 2 Kings 6:14 describes the Aramean army “surrounding” Dothan, only to discover that the Lord’s fiery chariots encircled Elisha in superior strength. The psalmist repeatedly cries, “For dogs surround me” (Psalm 22:16) and “from the wicked who have me surrounded” (Psalm 17:9), yet those cries are uttered to the One who is Himself “a wall of fire around” His people (Zechariah 2:5). The same God who allows a besieging ring also promises to be a greater ring of refuge.

Cutting Off: Judgment Fell-Trees and Hair Edges

Leviticus 19:27 applies the verb to the shaving of hair edges, a prohibition reminding Israel that covenant holiness touches even appearance. Isaiah 10:34 uses it of Lebanon’s proud cedars “cut down” by the Mighty One, a prophetic image that the loftiest human pride will be felled beneath divine judgment. The lexical field stretches from a barber’s knife to an axe at the forest’s root, but in every setting the act is decisive and separating—holiness and judgment respectively enforced.

Temple Imagery: Ornamentation That Surrounds

Both 1 Kings 7:24 and 2 Chronicles 4:3 speak of gourds “encircling” the great bronze Sea. The uninterrupted line of carved fruit symbolized fullness, fertility, and the wholeness of God’s provision for cleansing. Just as the priest washed in a basin surrounded by ornament, the believer today approaches a salvation surrounded by grace on every side.

Royal Guard and Covenant Loyalty

The royal bodyguards “stationed around the king” (2 Kings 11:8; 2 Chronicles 23:7) illustrate steadfast loyalty. Ringed protection preserved the Davidic heir, foreshadowing the unbreakable covenant circle that ultimately secures Messiah’s throne. The church, called “a royal priesthood,” is summoned to similar vigilance, encircling its King with worship, obedience, and fearless witness.

Cycles of Worship and Feast

Job 1:5 describes the “cycle of banqueting” that Job’s children completed before he sanctified them. Isaiah 29:1 alludes to “year after year” of feasts revolving in Ariel. Whether a righteous father or an idolatrous city, life moves in circles of celebration that either honor or ignore God. The verb thus challenges believers to evaluate whether their recurring patterns truly orbit the Lord’s glory.

Suffering Hemmed In

Lamentations 3:5 laments, “He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.” Psalm 88:17 adds, “All day long they surround me like floodwaters.” These texts assure sufferers that Scripture gives language to the claustrophobia of affliction. Yet Job 19:26 offers hope: “Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” The same root that describes bodily decay frames the certainty of resurrection sight.

Mission and Testimony: Walking Around Zion

Psalm 48:12 commands: “Walk around Zion, encircle her, count her towers.” Surveying Zion’s fortifications turns into a missionary mandate: “so that you may tell the next generation” (verse 13). Modern ministry likewise involves circling the works of God, counting evidences of grace, and declaring them to those who follow.

Christological Fulfillment

Psalm 22:16, a Messianic psalm, pictures evildoers encircling the Suffering Servant, culminating in crucifixion imagery. The Savior submitted to hostile encirclement that believers might be circled forever by lovingkindness. At the cross the verb’s darkest usage opened the way for its brightest fulfillment: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore” (Psalm 125:2).

Pastoral Applications

1. Intercession: When saints feel besieged, pray that the greater encirclement of God’s presence becomes palpable (2 Kings 6:15-17).
2. Holiness: Maintain outward practices that reflect inward consecration, remembering Leviticus 19:27’s call to distinguished appearance and life.
3. Proclamation: Like the guards round the king, encircle Christ’s gospel with unbroken testimony.
4. Hope: Use Job 19:26-27 at funerals to proclaim bodily resurrection amidst decay.
5. Worship Rhythms: Evaluate yearly cycles—are they revolving around Christ, or merely spinning in empty tradition?

Thus the thread of נָקַף weaves through Scripture from hairline to battlefield, from temple basin to Calvary, consistently testifying that the Lord alone determines what surrounds, what is cut off, and what endures to circle His throne in everlasting praise.

הִקִּ֖יפוּ הִקִּ֥יפָה הִקִּֽיף׃ הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי הִקִּיפֽוּ֩ הַקֵּ֖ף הַקֵּ֥יף הקיף הקיף׃ הקיפה הקיפו הקיפוני הקף וְהִקִּיפוּ֩ וְהִקַּפְתֶּ֨ם וְהַקִּיפ֑וּהָ וְנִקַּ֛ף וַיַּקִּ֖פוּ וַיַּקַּ֖ף והקיפו והקיפוה והקפתם ויקף ויקפו ונקף יִנְקֹֽפוּ׃ יַקִּ֥יפוּ ינקפו׃ יקיפו מַקִּיפִ֥ים מַקִּפִ֥ים מקיפים מקפים נִקְּפוּ־ נקפו־ תַקִּ֔פוּ תקפו hakKef hakKeif haq·qêp̄ haqqêp̄ hikKif hikKifah hikkiFu hikkiFuni hiq·qî·p̄āh hiq·qî·p̄ū hiq·qî·p̄ū·nî hiq·qîp̄ hiqqîp̄ hiqqîp̄āh hiqqîp̄ū hiqqîp̄ūnî makkiFim maq·qi·p̄îm maq·qî·p̄îm maqqip̄îm maqqîp̄îm nikkefu niq·qə·p̄ū- niqqəp̄ū- takKifu ṯaq·qi·p̄ū ṯaqqip̄ū vaiyakKaf vaiyakKifu vehakkiFuha vehikkafTem vehikkiFu venikKaf way·yaq·qap̄ way·yaq·qi·p̄ū wayyaqqap̄ wayyaqqip̄ū wə·haq·qî·p̄ū·hā wə·hiq·qap̄·tem wə·hiq·qî·p̄ū wə·niq·qap̄ wəhaqqîp̄ūhā wəhiqqap̄tem wəhiqqîp̄ū wəniqqap̄ yakKifu yaq·qî·p̄ū yaqqîp̄ū yin·qō·p̄ū yinKofu yinqōp̄ūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts