Lexical Summary
emeq: Valley, plain
Original Word:עֵמֶק
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:`emeq
Pronunciation:ay'-mek
Phonetic Spelling:(ay'-mek)
KJV: dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names) See also H1025
NASB:valley, valleys
Word Origin:[fromH6009 (עָמַק - deeply)]
1. a vale (i.e. broad depression)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
dale, vale, valley often used as a part of proper names
Fromamaq; a vale (i.e. Broad depression) -- dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names). See alsoBeyth ha-'Emeq.
see HEBREWamaq
see HEBREWBeyth ha-'Emeq
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
amoqDefinitiona vale
NASB TranslationEmek-keziz* (1), Valley (3), valley (55), valleys (10).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
70Micah 1:4 (properly
deepening, depth, see GASm
Geogr. 384 f. 654 f.; compare , , ); — absolute
Joshua 8:13 +, construct
Genesis 14:17 +; suffix
Jeremiah 49:4,
Jeremiah 47:5 (but see below); plural
Micah 1:4, suffix
Isaiah 22:7; —
vale, valley, lowland, opposed to
Micah 1:4, amid mountains, e.g. about Jerusalem
Isaiah 22:7;
Jeremiah 31:40, so perhaps
Genesis 14:17 =
Genesis 14:17;
2 Samuel 18:18, compare
Genesis 37:14 (J),
Isaiah 28:21;
Joshua 8:13 (JE),
1 Samuel 17:2,19;
1 Samuel 21:10 (perhaps
Wady es-Sant, in Shephelah, west of Bethlehem, GASm
Geogr. 226);
Judges 18:28 in extreme north; in Moab
Jeremiah 48:8 ("" [opposed to?] ); or wider, e.g.
Judges 5:15 (scene of Sisera's defeat; read perhaps also for
Judges 5:14 GFM),
Judges 6:33;
Hosea 1:5;
Joshua 17:16 (JE), compare
Judges 7:1,8,12;
1 Samuel 31:7 =
1 Chronicles 10:7, these all perhaps narrow ends of plain (compare GASm
l.c.), but see
1 Kings 20:28 (opposed to ; ""
1 Kings 20:23; =
open country, compare Aphek
1 Kings 20:26); of Jordan-valley
Joshua 13:19,27 (P); of maritime plain (opposed to )
Judges 1:19,34; fit for chariots, so also
Joshua 17:16 (P), compare
Job 39:21;
Jeremiah 21:13, compare
Numbers 14:25 (see Gie di); cultivated
1 Samuel 6:13;
Jeremiah 49:4 (twice in verse);
Job 39:10, fertile
1 Chronicles 27:29;
Psalm 65:14;
Songs 2:1; see also , , , II. , , , , , , ; . — For
Jeremiah 47:5 read
Anakim Thes Hi Gf Gie Co Rothst; so also (more dubious)
1 Chronicles 12:16 (van d. H. v.1 Chronicles 12:15) Gf Gie, where otherwise =
people of valleys.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeעֵמֶק designates a broad, fertile valley or lowland. The term occurs about sixty-nine times, binding together the narratives of patriarchs, judges, kings, prophets, poets and post-exilic leaders. Whether describing literal terrain or serving as prophetic imagery, every usage advances the biblical account of covenant, conflict, redemption and hope.
Physical Geography in Israel
Valleys formed the natural arteries of the land. Rainfall and alluvial soils made them productive for grain, vines and olives (Deuteronomy 8:7). Main trade routes—such as the Via Maris running through the Valley of Jezreel—invited commerce and invasion alike. Militarily, valleys offered level ground for chariotry (Joshua 17:16) or ambush points between rising slopes (Judges 7:8). Spiritually, they provided places of blessing (Beracah) or judgment (Decision).
Major Named Valleys and Their Theological Themes
1. Valley of Jezreel (Joshua 17:16;Hosea 1:5)
• Breadbasket of Israel, but also the stage for decisive battles from Deborah (Judges 6-7) to Josiah (2 Kings 23:29).
• Hosea links its blood-stained past with future restoration: “Great will be the day of Jezreel!” (Hosea 1:11).
2. Valley of Achor (Joshua 7:24-26;Hosea 2:15)
• Began as a memorial of Achan’s sin.
• Recast by prophetic grace: “I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.” (Hosea 2:15).
3. Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17)
• David’s victory over Goliath demonstrates that deliverance “is not by sword or by spear” (1 Samuel 17:47).
• The site still reminds readers to view battles through covenant promises rather than military might.
4. Valley of Rephaim (2 Samuel 5:18-25;Isaiah 17:5)
• Repeated Philistine incursions met by David’s reliance on divine guidance.
• Isaiah later pictures harvested grain there, underscoring coming judgment on prideful nations.
5. Valley of Beracah (2 Chronicles 20:26)
• Jehoshaphat’s choir-led army found enemy forces already defeated: “Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day.”
• Embodies worship-fueled victory and collective thanksgiving.
6. Valley of Sorek (Judges 16:4)
• Samson’s compromise with Delilah illustrates that privileged calling can be squandered by sensual entanglement.
7. Valley of Siddim / Salt (Genesis 14:3;2 Samuel 8:13)
• Site of early international warfare and, later, David’s conquests; typifies the Lord’s sovereignty over Gentile powers.
8. Valley of Shittim (Numbers 25:1;Joel 3:18)
• Place of Israel’s lapse into idolatry yet destined to overflow with living water in Joel’s eschaton.
9. Valley of Decision (Joel 3:14)
• “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near.”
• Focuses final judgment on the nations between gathered mountains.
Valleys as Arenas of Divine Intervention
From Abraham’s pursuit of Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14) to the Maccabean-era echoes ofZechariah 14, valleys become crucibles where human limitation meets divine action. Repeatedly the Lord turns places of defeat into testimonies of grace: Achor into hope, Beracah into blessing, Jezreel into future unity.
Covenant Life: Agriculture and Settlement
The allotment lists in Joshua underline the economic value of valleys (Joshua 15:33; 18:21). Ruth gleaned barley likely grown in such lowlands. Seasonal floodwaters enriched soil, illustrating the covenant promise of a land “flowing with milk and honey.”
Prophetic and Poetic Imagery
• Humility: “The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills leveled” (Isaiah 40:4)—preparing a highway for God’s glory.
• Beauty: “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys” (Song of Solomon 2:1).
• Lament: “Your choice valleys were full of chariots” (Isaiah 22:7) when Judah forgot her Maker.
• Resurrection hope is hinted when dry bones rise “from the valley” (although another Hebrew term stands there, the topography still serves the same climactic vision).
Christological and Eschatological Reflections
Golgotha stands on a hill above the Kidron Valley; the empty tomb looks out toward agricultural terraces that once echoedPsalm 23’s shepherd imagery. The coming of the Son of Man will again engage Jerusalem’s valleys (Zechariah 14:4-5), turning geographical depressions into corridors of salvation.
Practical Ministry Applications
• God meets His people in low places; sermons can trace how valleys symbolize trials that precede triumph.
• Historical study of biblical valleys strengthens confidence in Scripture’s geographical accuracy.
• Mission work today often occurs in “valleys”—densely populated cultural crossroads—mirroring ancient patterns of revelation.
Representative Occurrence Index
Genesis 26:17;Numbers 14:25;Deuteronomy 11:30;Joshua 10:5-12;Judges 6:33;1 Samuel 17:2-52;2 Samuel 18:18;1 Kings 20:28;2 Kings 14:7;1 Chronicles 12:15;2 Chronicles 14:10;Nehemiah 6:2;Job 39:10;Psalm 65:13;Song of Solomon 6:11;Isaiah 17:5;Jeremiah 31:40;Ezekiel 39:11;Hosea 2:15;Joel 3:14;Micah 1:6;Zechariah 12:11.
In Scripture every עֵמֶק—whether scene of battle, harvest or hope—ultimately points to the Lord who lifts the lowly, humbles the proud and secures His redemptive purposes from Genesis to Revelation.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּעֵ֖מֶק בְּעֵ֣מֶק בְּעֵ֥מֶק בְּעֵֽמֶק־ בָ֭עֵמֶק בָּֽעֲמָקִ֔ים בָּעֵ֑מֶק בָּעֵ֔מֶק בָּעֵ֖מֶק בָּעֵ֙מֶק֙ בָּעֵֽמֶק׃ בעמק בעמק־ בעמק׃ בעמקים הָ֣עֲמָקִ֔ים הָעֲמָקִֽים׃ הָעֵ֔מֶק הָעֵ֖מֶק הָעֵ֛מֶק הָעֵ֜מֶק הָעֵ֣מֶק הָעֵֽמֶק׃ העמק העמק׃ העמקים העמקים׃ וְהָעֲמָקִ֖ים וְעֵ֖מֶק וְעֵ֣מֶק וְעֵ֥מֶק וַעֲמָקִ֥ים וּבָעֵ֡מֶק ובעמק והעמקים ועמק ועמקים כְּעֵ֖מֶק כעמק לְעֵ֣מֶק לָעֵֽמֶק׃ לעמק לעמק׃ מֵעֵ֣מֶק מעמק עֲמָקִ֖ים עֲמָקִ֣ים עֲמָקַ֖יִךְ עִמְקֵ֔ךְ עִמְקָ֑ם עֵ֖מֶק עֵ֣מֶק עֵ֥מֶק עֵֽמֶק־ עמק עמק־ עמקיך עמקים עמקך עמקם ‘ă·mā·qa·yiḵ ‘ă·mā·qîm ‘ămāqayiḵ ‘ămāqîm ‘ê·meq ‘ê·meq- ‘êmeq ‘êmeq- ‘im·qām ‘im·qêḵ ‘imqām ‘imqêḵ amaKayich amaKim bā‘ămāqîm bā‘êmeq ḇā‘êmeq bā·‘ă·mā·qîm bā·‘ê·meq ḇā·‘ê·meq baamaKim baEmek bə‘êmeq bə‘êmeq- bə·‘ê·meq bə·‘ê·meq- beEmek Emek hā‘ămāqîm hā‘êmeq hā·‘ă·mā·qîm hā·‘ê·meq haamaKim haEmek imKam imKech kə‘êmeq kə·‘ê·meq keEmek lā‘êmeq lā·‘ê·meq laEmek lə‘êmeq lə·‘ê·meq leEmek mê‘êmeq mê·‘ê·meq meEmek ū·ḇā·‘ê·meq ūḇā‘êmeq uvaEmek vaamaKim Vaemek veEmek vehaamaKim wa‘ămāqîm wa·‘ă·mā·qîm wə‘êmeq wə·‘ê·meq wə·hā·‘ă·mā·qîm wəhā‘ămāqîm
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