H6978 H6978
line, measuring line; possibly 'mighty' (uncertain, debated meaning in Isaiah 18)
A difficult word appearing only in Isaiah 18:2, 7 in the phrase describing 'a nation [of] line, line' or 'a nation mighty, mighty.' Some interpreters take it as a reduplication meaning 'mighty' (related to Arabic 'strength'). Others see it as 'of measuring line, measuring line'—a nation that measures out (conquers) lands. The RV translates 'meting out,' suggesting territorial conquest. The reduplication intensifies the meaning, but the exact sense remains debated. Modern translations vary significantly.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Isaiah 18:2 and 18:7 both use the phrase גּוֹי קַו־קָו (or קַוְקָו) describing a fearsome nation. Traditional interpretation sees 'mighty, mighty' (reduplication for emphasis). Others read 'of line, line' suggesting a nation that measures/conquers lands. Spanish cordel (measuring line) and French ligne (line) reflect the measuring-line interpretation, though some versions opt for 'powerful.' The reduplication creates intensity, whether martial prowess or imperial expansion. 4×
AR["قَوِيَّةً", "قَوِيَّةٌ-"]·ben["-রেখার", "রেখা-"]·DE["Linie"]·EN["line", "line-"]·FR["ligne"]·heb["קו"]·HI["रेखा", "रेखा-"]·ID["pengukur", "tali-"]·IT["riga"]·jav["tali-ukur", "tali-ukur-"]·KO["줄-", "줄의"]·PT["regra-", "sobre-regra"]·RU["и-мощи", "мощи-"]·ES["cordel", "de-cordel-"]·SW["hadi-kipimo", "la-kipimo"]·TR["guc-", "uzerine-guc"]·urd["ناپ", "ناپ-والی"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† קַוְקָו (or קַוְקַו, קָוְקָו) n.[m.] might (?);—so read (according to most) for קַו־קָו, in phrase גּוֹי ק׳ Is 18:2, 7 i.e. a mighty nation (cf. Arabic قُوَّةٌ strength; v. (on redupl.) Ges§ 123 e); > RV ‘meting out’ conquered lands, lit. ‘of line, line’ (ii. קַו).