The Hebrew word nekeh means one who strikes or a smiter. It is a participial form related to the root nakah (H5221), meaning to strike or smite. The term describes an agent who delivers a blow, whether in battle, discipline, or judgment.
The concept of striking in the Old Testament is frequently associated with divine judgment. God Himself is sometimes described as the one who strikes — smiting the enemies of Israel, disciplining His wayward people, or executing justice against the wicked. The word also connects to human agents whom God uses as instruments of His justice. Understanding this term helps illuminate the Old Testament theology of divine sovereignty over history, where God raises up and brings down nations according to His purposes.