The Aramaic word dᵉqaq, represented by H1855, means to crumble or (trans.) crush; break to pieces. It appears 12 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible. This term is used to describe an action of forceful and complete shattering, whether applied to materials, political kingdoms, or living beings.
In the biblical narrative, all occurrences of H1855 are found in the book of Daniel, where it is a key verb in both prophetic visions and historical accounts. It vividly portrays the destruction of worldly powers in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, where a stone smites the feet of a great image and brake them to pieces Daniel 2:34. This leads to the entire statue of gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay being broken to pieces together and becoming like chaff Daniel 2:35. The word is also used to describe the terrifying fourth beast in Daniel's vision, which devoured and brake in pieces Daniel 7:7. In a literal sense, it depicts the grim fate of Daniel's accusers, whose bones were brake in pieces by the lions Daniel 6:24.
Several related words appear alongside H1855 to describe the process and result of this destruction:
- H4223 mᵉchâʼ (to strike in pieces; also to arrest; specifically to impale; hang, smite, stay): This describes the initial action that causes the shattering, as when the stone smote the image before it was broken to pieces Daniel 2:34.
- H2827 chăshal (to weaken, i.e. crush; subdue): Used to describe the inherent nature of the fourth kingdom, which, like iron, breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things Daniel 2:40.
- H399 ʼăkal (to eat (literally or figuratively); [phrase] accuse, devour, eat): This action often precedes the breaking, as when the fourth beast devoured and then brake in pieces Daniel 7:7.
- H7490 rᵉʻaʻ (properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally); break, bruise): It is used in parallel with breaking to emphasize comprehensive destruction, where the fourth kingdom will break in pieces and bruise Daniel 2:40.
- H7512 rᵉphaç (to trample, i.e. prostrate; stamp): This action follows the breaking, as the beast stamped the residue with its feet, signifying total subjugation Daniel 7:19.
- H1759 dûwsh (to trample; tread down): The fourth kingdom is prophesied to devour the whole earth, and tread it down, and break it in pieces Daniel 7:23.
- H5487 çûwph (to come to an end; consume, fulfill): This describes the ultimate result, as God's kingdom will break in pieces and consume all earthly kingdoms Daniel 2:44.
The theological weight of H1855 is primarily prophetic, centered on the theme of divine judgment over human empires.
- Destruction of Worldly Kingdoms: The word is consistently used to prophesy the violent end of earthly powers, symbolized by the great statue Daniel 2:45 and the dreadful beasts (Daniel 7:7, Daniel 7:23).
- Divine Sovereignty: The power to break in pieces originates from God. It is His kingdom that will break in pieces and consume all other kingdoms Daniel 2:44, and it is a stone "cut out without hands" that initiates this destruction Daniel 2:45.
- Irrevocable Judgment: The shattering is absolute. The broken pieces of the statue become like chaff that the wind carries away "that no place was found for them," signifying a final and complete removal Daniel 2:35.
In summary, H1855 is more than a simple verb for breaking; it is a term of divine and prophetic judgment. Used exclusively in Daniel, it powerfully conveys the complete and violent shattering of earthly powers. It serves as a stark illustration of God's ultimate authority and the certain end of all kingdoms that stand in opposition to His eternal reign.
TRV