a primitive root (compare דַּךְ, דָּכָא); to collapse (phys. or mentally); break (sore), contrite, crouch.
Transliteration:dâkâh
Pronunciation:daw-kaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H1794}}` (דָּכָה, dâkâh) is a primitive root primarily conveying the sense of "to collapse" or "to break." Its semantic range extends to both physical and mental/spiritual states. Physically, it denotes being crushed, shattered, or severely bruised, implying a state of damage or impairment. Examples include the crushing of a body part. Mentally or spiritually, it refers to a state of being broken in spirit, contrite, humbled, oppressed, or deeply disheartened. This internal brokenness is often associated with sorrow, repentance, or affliction. The root shares a close etymological and semantic relationship with `{{H1792}}` (דַּךְ, dak), meaning "crushed" or "oppressed," and `{{H1793}}` (דָּכָא, daka'), meaning "to crush" or "to be crushed," reinforcing the core idea of being brought low or utterly broken.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H1794}}` in the Hebrew Bible illuminate its diverse applications:
* **Physical Damage/Defect:** In [[Leviticus 22:24]], the term describes an animal whose testicles are "crushed" (דָּכוּא). This physical defect renders the animal unfit for sacrifice to the Lord, emphasizing the requirement of wholeness and perfection in offerings. It highlights the idea of being rendered incomplete or damaged.
* **Physical Suffering:** [[Psalm 38:8]] uses `{{H1794}}` to describe the psalmist's physical state: "I am feeble and sore broken; I have groaned by reason of the disquietness of my heart." Here, "sore broken" (נִדְכֵּיתִי) points to an extreme physical debilitation, possibly due to illness, accompanied by internal anguish.
* **Spiritual Contrition:** Perhaps its most profound usage is in [[Psalm 51:17]]: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Here, "broken" (נִדְכֶּה) describes the state of a repentant heart. It signifies a spirit that has been humbled, stripped of pride, and is utterly reliant on divine mercy. This spiritual brokenness is not a weakness but a prerequisite for genuine communion with God.
* **Messianic Suffering:** In the Suffering Servant passage of Isaiah 53, `{{H1794}}` takes on immense theological weight:
* [[Isaiah 53:5]]: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was *bruised* for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." The Servant is "bruised" (מְדֻכָּא), indicating a severe, crushing suffering endured on behalf of others.
* [[Isaiah 53:10]]: "Yet it pleased the Lord to *bruise* him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." This verse is particularly striking as it attributes the "bruising" (הִדְכִּיאוֹ) of the Servant directly to the will of Yahweh. This denotes a divinely ordained suffering, part of God's sovereign plan for redemption.
### Related Words & Concepts
The root `{{H1794}}` is intrinsically linked to `{{H1793}}` (דָּכָא, daka'), which often appears in the Piel or Hiphil stems, meaning "to crush," "to oppress," or "to be crushed." This relationship emphasizes the active process of crushing or the resulting state of being crushed. Similarly, `{{H1792}}` (דַּךְ, dak) functions as an adjective meaning "crushed" or "oppressed," further solidifying the semantic field.
Other related concepts include:
* **Humility and Repentance:** The "broken and contrite heart" is a paradigm of true humility and penitence before God, contrasting with pride and self-sufficiency.
* **Affliction and Suffering:** The word often appears in contexts of severe physical or emotional distress, highlighting the experience of human suffering.
* **Divine Justice and Mercy:** While physical brokenness can result from sin or judgment, spiritual brokenness is the pathway to receiving God's mercy and restoration.
* **Vicarious Atonement:** In Isaiah 53, the "bruising" of the Servant points directly to the concept of one suffering on behalf of others to achieve reconciliation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1794}}` is profound, particularly in two key areas:
1. **The Nature of Acceptable Worship and Repentance:** [[Psalm 51:17]] reveals a foundational truth: God does not primarily desire external sacrifices but an internal state of humility and brokenness. A "broken and contrite heart" (לֵב נִשְׁבָּר וְנִדְכֶּה) is the truest offering, signifying a spirit that recognizes its sinfulness, abandons self-reliance, and casts itself entirely upon God's grace. This spiritual posture is valued above all ritualistic perfection. It teaches that true repentance involves a deep, inward shattering of pride and self-will, leading to a readiness for God's transforming work.
2. **The Suffering of the Messiah:** The use of `{{H1794}}` in Isaiah 53 is central to Christian theology. The "bruising" of the Servant (Messiah) in [[Isaiah 53:5]] underscores the severity of His suffering, both physically and spiritually, as a substitutionary act for human sin. This suffering was not accidental but divinely purposed, as stated in [[Isaiah 53:10]], "it pleased the Lord to bruise him." This reveals the mysterious yet glorious truth that God Himself orchestrated the suffering of His Servant to achieve salvation for humanity. The "bruising" of the Messiah is the means by which humanity's spiritual brokenness can be healed and made whole. It points to the ultimate act of self-sacrifice and redemptive love.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H1794}}` (דָּכָה, dâkâh) denotes a state of being broken or crushed, encompassing both physical damage and profound spiritual or emotional distress. While physical brokenness (e.g., [[Leviticus 22:24]]) can render something imperfect, the spiritual brokenness described as a "broken and contrite heart" (`{{H1794}}` in [[Psalm 51:17]]) is highly esteemed by God, representing genuine humility and repentance. Most significantly, this root describes the vicarious suffering of the Messiah in Isaiah 53, where He was "bruised" (`{{H1794}}`) for our iniquities, an act divinely ordained for the purpose of human redemption. Thus, `{{H1794}}` encapsulates the painful reality of being shattered, yet paradoxically points to the pathway of divine favor and the ultimate act of redemptive love through Christ's suffering.
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