What does נָקַם · ἐκδικέω mean in the Bible?
נָקַם · ἐκδικέω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to execute justice or repay wrongdoing".
Hebrew · H5358, G1556
נָקַם
To grudge , i.e. avenge or punish · to vindicate, retaliate, punish
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
נָקַם H5358 to grudge , i.e. avenge or punish
Pronunciation nāqam
Vengeance rooted in grievance; God's retaliatory justice against covenant-breakers and enemies of Israel.
Open lexicon entry →
ἐκδικέω G1556 to vindicate, retaliate, punish
Pronunciation ekdikéō
Vindication of the oppressed or enforcement of justice, not personal revenge or retribution.
Open lexicon entry →
What does נָקַם (naqam) mean in the Bible?
נָקַם · ἐκδικέω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to execute justice or repay wrongdoing".
Full entry for נָקַם (H5358, G1556) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H5358, G1556?
H5358, G1556 is connected to 35 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to execute justice or repay wrongdoing
Source Gloss
to execute justice or repay wrongdoing
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 4 Aligned forms 17
Hophal causative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action 3×
Imperfect Exod 21:21 · Gen 4:15 · Gen 4:24 3×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 3×
Imperfect Jer 5:9 · Jer 5:29 · Jer 9:8 3×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 8×
Participle active Lev 26:25 · Nah 1:2 3×
Imperfect Deut 32:43 · Josh 10:13 · Lev 19:18 3×
Infinitive absolute Exod 21:20 1×
Sequential imperfect Num 31:2 1×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 3×
Imperfect Exod 21:20 1×
Sequential imperfect Jer 50:15 1×
Perfect Judg 15:7 1×
Word Origins
נָקַם is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain