a.phiq denotes watercourses and terrain depressions, with a limited, uncertain use in strength or bodily comparison.

The dominant use identifies watercourses or channel-like features of a landscape: they can receive rising river water, dry up, lie among mountains and valleys, or provide the setting for streams. A small group of Job contexts is less clear in the translation and may extend the term into descriptions of strength or firm bodily material.

1. Watercourses and land depressions · dominant

   In Ezekiel 34:13 the plural form occurs among Israel's mountains and settlements where the people will be pastured; in Ezekiel 36:4 it is listed with mountains, hills, and valleys. Isaiah 8:7 places the construct plural in a clause about river waters rising over their courses, while Job 6:15 compares treacherous brothers to torrent courses that pass away. In Joel 1:20 the APB renders the clause "the channels of water have withered," and Song of Songs 5:12 places eyes beside "streams of water."

   Ezekiel 34:13Ezekiel 36:4Isaiah 8:7Job 6:15Joel 1:20Song of Songs 5:12
2. Strength or firm bodily material (uncertain) · rare

   In Job 12:21 the plural occurs in a clause where the APB speaks of "the strong," rather than a landscape feature. In Job 40:18 the construct plural stands in a comparison involving bones and bronze; these contexts suggest a non-landscape extension, though the translation does not make the term's individual contribution fully clear.

   Job 12:21Job 40:18

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB often presents the landscape use as "channels," including water channels, and uses "streams of water" in Song of Songs 5:12. Several supplied verses do not expose a clear individual English equivalent, so these renderings should be read as presentations of the verse rather than fixed word alignments.