Lexical Summary amoq: Deep Original Word: עָמַק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance have, make, seek deeply, depth, be profound A primitive root; to be (causatively, make) deep (literally or figuratively) -- (be, have, make, seek) deep(-ly), depth, be profound. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be deep NASB Translation deep (1), deeply (2), depths (2), gone deep (2), made it deep (1), make it deep (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָמֹק, LagBN 28] verb be deep (Late Hebrew in derivatives; Arabic  ; Ethiopic  probably Assyrian [emê‡u] III. 2 implore (earnestly; 'from bottom of one's soul'), emû‡u, might, nîme‡u, wisdom (? as unfathomable); ᵑ7 in derivatives; Syriac in derived species); — Qal Perfect3masculine plural עָֽמְקוּ Psalm 92:6 (of ׳יs designs; compare Assyrian above). Hiph`il make deep: Perfect3masculine singular (symbolic) הֶעְמִיק הִרְחִ֑ב Isaiah 30:33 (that is Tophet; van d. H. הֶעֱמִיק, and so in following); 3 masculine plural הֶעְמִיקוּ Hosea 5:2 the pit of Shittim (?) have they made deep (reading שַׁחַת הַשִּׁטִּים We Now, compare Che GuKau); הֶעְמִיקוּ סָרָה Isaiah 31:6 (figurative) they have made deep (their) apostasy; followed by verb, with adverbial force שִׁחֵתֻ֖וּ ׳ה Hosea 9:9 = they are in the depth of corruption (see שׁחת); Imperative masculine plural הֶעְמִיקוּ (Ges§ 63o), followed by infinitive Jeremiah 49:8,30 make deep to dwell (of hiding, so most; > Gie take an abject seat, as Jeremiah 13:18; Jeremiah 48:18); Participle הַמַּעֲמִיקִים לַסְתִּר Isaiah 29:15 they who deeply hide from ׳י (their) counsel; Infinitive absolute הַעְמֵק Isaiah 7:11 #NAME?make deep (ask a sign in the depths of Sh®°ôl, reading שְׁאֹ֑לָה; opposed to הַגְבֵּהַּ). Topical Lexicon Overview of Usage The verb עָמַק appears nine times across Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea. In each setting it portrays “going deep” in one of three ways: 1) literal physical depth, 2) moral or spiritual profundity—whether positive (divine wisdom) or negative (human rebellion), and 3) strategic concealment or refuge. The contexts range from songs of praise to oracles of judgment, giving the word a wide theological reach. Physical and Geographical Depth Isaiah 30:33 presents Topheth as “deep and wide” to picture the enormity of divine judgment prepared for the Assyrian king. Jeremiah twice commands desert tribes to “dwell in the depths” (Jeremiah 49:8; 49:30), urging them to retreat to remote wadis when Babylon advances. In each instance depth conveys distance, safety, or magnitude—either a cavernous furnace of wrath or a secluded hideaway beyond an invader’s reach. Metaphorical Depth of Mind and Motive Psalm 92:5 marvels, “How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!” Here depth points to the unfathomable wisdom and sovereignty of God. By contrast, Isaiah 29:15 warns those who “go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD,” exposing the folly of secret plotting. The same term that praises God’s incomprehensible counsel condemns human schemes that attempt to outwit Him. Depth of Sin and Apostasy Hosea twice applies the verb to Israel’s covenant treachery. “The rebels are deep in slaughter” (Hosea 5:2) and “They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah” (Hosea 9:9). Isaiah echoes the theme: “Return to Him against whom you have so deeply rebelled” (Isaiah 31:6). Depth underscores the entrenched nature of sin—its layers, its history, its tenacity—and thus the urgency of repentance. Divine Wisdom and Mystery The juxtaposition of Psalm 92 with Isaiah 7:11 highlights a vast gulf between God’s fathomless purposes and the created order. Ahaz is invited to ask “from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven,” indicating that no realm is too deep for God’s sign. The word therefore accents both the transcendence and immanence of the LORD: He dwells in unfathomable wisdom yet reveals Himself within the deepest reaches of human need. Prophetic Warnings and Promised Judgment Isaiah 30:33 and the twin oracles of Jeremiah 49 use עָמַק to stress the certainty and scale of coming judgment. The fire prepared for Assyria is “deep and wide,” and the only hope for Dedan and Hazor is to “dwell in the depths.” The prophetic message is clear: either sink into remote deserts as a temporary shelter or be swallowed by the deeper furnace of divine wrath. Depth becomes a measuring rod of accountability. Pastoral and Preaching Applications 1. God’s Thoughts Are Deeper Than Our Circumstances (Psalm 92:5). Believers are invited to worship, trusting His hidden purposes when life’s surface looks chaotic. Intertextual Connections • Romans 11:33 praises the “depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God,” echoing Psalm 92:5. Historical Context and Cultural Background Depth imagery resonated with Ancient Near Eastern audiences accustomed to desert wadis, city cisterns, and the yawning tophet outside Jerusalem’s walls. Political refugees hid in rugged ravines; fires used deep pits as incinerators. Prophets appropriated this everyday vocabulary, weaving it into oracles that confronted kings and comforted commoners. Summary עָמַק threads through Scripture as a multi-dimensional metaphor: the fathomless wisdom of God, the entrenched nature of sin, the hidden motives of hearts, the terrifying magnitude of judgment, and the secluded places of refuge. Every occurrence invites readers to plunge beneath the surface—either to worship the depths of the Lord’s thoughts or to let His light penetrate the deepest recesses of their own. Forms and Transliterations הֶעְמִ֑יקוּ הֶעְמִ֣יק הֶעְמִ֣יקוּ הֶעְמִ֥יקוּ הֶעְמִ֧יקוּ הֶעְמִֽיקוּ־ הַמַּעֲמִיקִ֥ים הַעְמֵ֣ק המעמיקים העמיק העמיקו העמיקו־ העמק עָמְק֥וּ עמקו ‘ā·mə·qū ‘āməqū ameKu ha‘·mêq ha‘mêq ham·ma·‘ă·mî·qîm haMek hamma‘ămîqîm hammaamiKim he‘·mî·qū he‘·mî·qū- he‘·mîq he‘mîq he‘mîqū he‘mîqū- heMik heMikuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 92:5 HEB: יְהוָ֑ה מְ֝אֹ֗ד עָמְק֥וּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶֽיךָ׃ NAS: Your thoughts are very deep. KJV: [and] thy thoughts are very deep. INT: LORD are very deep your thoughts Isaiah 7:11 Isaiah 29:15 Isaiah 30:33 Isaiah 31:6 Jeremiah 49:8 Jeremiah 49:30 Hosea 5:2 Hosea 9:9 9 Occurrences |
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