5351. nequddah
Lexical Summary
nequddah: Spot, mark, point

Original Word: נְקֻדָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: nquddah
Pronunciation: neh-koo-DAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ned-ood-daw')
KJV: stud
NASB: beads
Word Origin: [feminine of H5348 (נָקוֹד - speckled)]

1. a boss

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
stud

Feminine of naqod; a boss -- stud.

see HEBREW naqod

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as naqod
Definition
a point or drop
NASB Translation
beads (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[נְקֻדָּה] noun masculine point, or drop; — only plural construct תּוֺרֵי זָהָב נַעֲשֶׂהלָּֿח עִם נְקֻדּוֺת הַכָּ֑סֶף Songs 1:11 rows (strings or chains) of gold will we make for thee, with points of silver.

II. נקד (√ of following; compare Arabic a kind of small sheep with very abundant wool (JacobAltarab. Bed. Leben, 1807, 83), whence shepherd of this kind of sheep; נקד perhaps MI30; Assyrian nâ‡idu DlHWB 479; compare Late Hebrew נוֺקֵד (rare)).

Topical Lexicon
Term Overview

נְקֻדָּה (nequddah) conveys the idea of a point, dot, or stud. In its single biblical appearance the word describes decorative “studs” set into precious metal jewelry.

Biblical Occurrence

Song of Songs 1:11

“We will make for you ornaments of gold, studded with silver.”

Here נְקֻדָּה portrays small silver inlays that enhance a larger piece of gold jewelry, intensifying its beauty and value.

Historical and Cultural Setting

Ancient Near-Eastern artisans regularly enriched gold ornaments with contrasting metals or gemstones. Excavations in Egypt, Phoenicia, and Judah reveal necklaces, diadems, and hairpieces fashioned from hammered gold plates patterned with minute silver or stone studs. The description in Song of Songs matches this high craftsmanship, reflecting both royal opulence and covenantal devotion between bridegroom and bride.

Literary Function in Song of Songs

1. Elevation of the Bride

The bride is promised not merely gold but gold “studded” with finer detail. The choice of vocabulary underscores her worth and dignity within the poem’s marriage imagery.

2. Intensified Beauty

The dotted silver draws the eye to the whole piece, illustrating how individual graces combine to magnify overall beauty—an analogy for character qualities within a covenant relationship.

3. Corporate Voice

The plural “we will make” may depict the bridal party or royal craftsmen, hinting at the communal participation in celebrating covenant love.

Theological Reflections

• Covenant Ornamentation

As Israel at Sinai was pictured as the Lord’s treasured possession (Exodus 19:5), so the bride is adorned to signify belonging. Nequddah symbolizes the Lord’s intentional, detailed work in beautifying His people.

• Typological Foreshadowing

New-Testament writers describe the Church as the adorned bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-8). The studs of silver anticipate the spiritual adornment of righteous deeds, “the fine linen, bright and pure.”

• Sanctifying Detail

Each “stud” reflects a specific act of grace. Just as silver contrasts with gold, individual virtues—faith, hope, love—stand out against the backdrop of salvation’s golden foundation.

Links with Other Biblical Imagery

Isaiah 61:10 speaks of being “clothed with garments of salvation,” a broader image of adornment fulfilled in the perfected bride.
1 Peter 3:3-4 distinguishes external jewelry from “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,” yet the inward adornment is likened to refined precious metal (cf. Malachi 3:3).
Revelation 21:18-21 describes the New Jerusalem built of gold yet peppered with jewels, an architectural parallel to Song of Songs 1:11.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Spiritual Craftsmanship

Believers are called to cooperate with the Master Jeweler, allowing Him to set every “stud” of silver—each discipline, trial, or service—into the gold of redemption (Philippians 1:6).

2. Corporate Encouragement

The plural voice reminds congregations that spiritual adornment is a shared enterprise. Pastors, teachers, and fellow saints “make” ornaments for one another through exhortation and discipleship (Ephesians 4:11-12).

3. Worship and Aesthetics

While Scripture warns against ostentatious externals, artistic beauty in worship can point to divine splendor when it highlights, rather than distracts from, the glory of God (Exodus 28:2; Psalm 27:4).

Summary

Though appearing only once, נְקֻדָּה provides a vivid picture of intricate, purposeful adornment. In Song of Songs it elevates the bride’s beauty; in redemptive typology it illustrates the Lord’s meticulous sanctifying work; and in ministry it calls believers to participate joyfully in the Spirit’s craftsmanship, knowing that each small “stud” contributes to the radiant display of the Bride for her Bridegroom.

Forms and Transliterations
נְקֻדּ֥וֹת נקדות nə·qud·dō·wṯ nekudDot nəquddōwṯ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Songs 1:11
HEB: לָּ֔ךְ עִ֖ם נְקֻדּ֥וֹת הַכָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: of gold With beads of silver.
KJV: of gold with studs of silver.
INT: will make With beads of silver

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5351
1 Occurrence


nə·qud·dō·wṯ — 1 Occ.

5350
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