English · KJV
H1638

גָּרַס

gâraç /gaw-ras'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto crush; also (intransitively and figuratively) to dissolve
KJV usagebreak.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of gâraç — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word gâraç, represented by H1638, is a primitive root meaning to crush; also (intransitively and figuratively) to dissolve; break. Though it appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, its usage captures a powerful spectrum of meaning, from literal, physical destruction to intense, overwhelming emotion.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two appearances of H1638 illustrate its dual application. In Lamentations 3:16, it is used in a brutally literal sense, describing profound suffering: "He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones." This paints a picture of physical pain and humiliation. Conversely, in Psalms 119:20, the word takes on a figurative, emotional weight: "My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times." Here, the "breaking" is not one of destruction, but of a soul completely overcome by intense desire for God's divine decrees.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its context help clarify its meaning:

  • H5315 nephesh (soul): Defined as a breathing creature, vitality, or the seat of emotion and desire, this word is central to the figurative use of gâraç. The soul is what experiences the "breaking" of intense longing, as seen in the command to love God with all one's soul Deuteronomy 6:5.
  • H8127 shên (a tooth): This word, meaning a tooth or crag, is the object of the literal "crushing" in Lamentations. It is often associated with destructive force or aggression, as in the description of a generation whose teeth are like swords Proverbs 30:14.
  • H4941 mishpâṭ (judgment): This term refers to a verdict, decree, justice, or right. It is the object of the soul's longing in Psalms 119:20. The Bible establishes God's ways as judgment Deuteronomy 32:4, making it the foundation of divine order and righteousness that the soul craves.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1638 lies in its ability to express two profound spiritual states.

  • The Pain of Judgment: In its literal context, gâraç signifies the harsh reality of divine discipline and the suffering that results from it. The experience of being "broken" is a direct and physical consequence of God's judgment upon a people Lamentations 3:16.
  • The Passion of Devotion: In its figurative sense, gâraç describes a spiritual state of being utterly consumed. The breaking of the soul H5315 is not a negative event but a testament to an all-encompassing desire for God's judgments H4941, showing a devotion so strong it feels overwhelming Psalms 119:20.

Summary

In summary, H1638 is a rare but vivid term that conveys the concept of "breaking" with significant depth. It moves between the literal, painful crushing of teeth under judgment and the figurative, emotional breaking of a soul in its intense longing for God. Through its two uses, gâraç demonstrates how the same action of breaking can represent both the depths of suffering and the heights of spiritual passion.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יַּגְרֵס
  • גָּרְסָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5315 נֶפֶשׁ from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accomm H8127 שֵׁן from שָׁנַן; compare שֶׁנְהַבִּים; a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff; crag, [idiom] forefr H4941 מִשְׁפָּט from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decre

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms and Lamentations (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Psalms
1
Lamentations

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.