דָּקַק

dâqaq /daw-kak'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (compare הָדַךְlemma הָדךְ missing vowel, corrected to הָדַךְ)
Meaningto crush (or intransitively) crumble
KJV usagebeat in pieces (small), bruise, make dust, (be, very) small, stamp (small).
Idioms & phrases(into) idiom powder
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dâqaq, represented by H1854, is a primitive root meaning to crush or crumble. It appears 13 times across 12 unique verses in the Bible, typically translated as to beat in pieces, make dust, or stamp something into powder until it is very small.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H1854 is most often used to describe the complete destruction of idols and objects of false worship. Moses took the golden calf, burnt it, and ground it to powder Exodus 32:20. Later, righteous kings like Asa and Josiah are shown to stamp down idols 2 Chronicles 15:16 and make dust of pagan altars and images 2 Chronicles 34:4. The word is also used metaphorically for the defeat of enemies, as when God promises that Israel will thresh mountains and beat them small Isaiah 41:15, or when David describes how he did stamp his foes as the mire of the street 2 Samuel 22:43. In a different context, it describes the preparation of holy incense, which was to be beaten "very small" Exodus 30:36.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand on the concept of crushing and pulverizing:

  • H3807 kâthath (to bruise or violently strike; beat (down, to pieces), break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit, smite, stamp): This term emphasizes a violent breaking action, often used in conjunction with grinding. It is used to describe how graven images were beaten to pieces Micah 1:7.
  • H2912 ṭâchan (to grind meal; hence, to be aconcubine (that being their employment); grind(-er)): This word specifically refers to the act of grinding, as when Moses "ground" the golden calf after burning it Deuteronomy 9:21.
  • H7833 shâchaq (to comminate (by trituration or attrition); beat, wear): This word describes the process of wearing something down into fine particles, used for both beating enemies small as dust Psalms 18:42 and preparing holy incense Exodus 30:36.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1854 is significant, highlighting several key themes:

  • Total Eradication of Idolatry: The use of dâqaq demonstrates that false idols must not just be broken but completely pulverized and scattered. This action represents an irreversible and total purification from false worship, as seen in the reforms of Josiah (2 Kings 23:6, 2 Kings 23:15).
  • Divine Judgment: The word powerfully illustrates God's judgment over his enemies. He empowers His people to "beat in pieces" opposing nations Micah 4:13 and reduces mountains—symbols of powerful kingdoms—to chaff Isaiah 41:15.
  • Consecration through Preparation: In contrast to its destructive uses, the word also appears in a sacred context. The holy incense for the tabernacle had to be beaten "very small," indicating that a process of refinement and meticulous preparation was necessary for something to be holy enough to be brought before God Exodus 30:36.

Summary

In summary, H1854 is a dynamic word that signifies more than simple breaking. It conveys the idea of complete and utter pulverization. This action is used to illustrate the definitive eradication of idolatry, the total dominion of God over His enemies, and the meticulous preparation required for sacred offerings. Through dâqaq, scripture demonstrates how the same physical process can symbolize either ultimate destruction or holy consecration.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 13 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Infinitive Construct 2×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Hophal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Conjunction+Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hophal
The passive of the causative (Hiphil) stem.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 12 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in 2 Chronicles (3 verses).

2
Exodus
1
Deuteronomy
1
2 Samuel
2
2 Kings
3
2 Chronicles
2
Isaiah
1
Micah

Verse Explorer

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