a primitive root; to push away or down; cast away (out), drive, expel, thrust (away).
Transliteration:hâdaph
Pronunciation:haw-daf'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H1920}}` (hâdaph) is a primitive root, conveying the core sense of a forceful, decisive action of removal. Its fundamental meaning is "to push away or down." This active and often violent connotation extends to a semantic range that includes "to cast away," "to cast out," "to drive," "to expel," and "to thrust (away)." The verb consistently denotes an intentional and powerful act of separation, whether physical or metaphorical. It implies a rejection, removal, or forceful displacement of an object or person from a particular place, state, or relationship. The underlying force suggests an inability or unwillingness to tolerate the presence of the object, leading to its expulsion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H1920}}` appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, illuminating its diverse applications:
* **Divine Judgment and Dispossession:** A prominent use of `{{H1920}}` describes God's action in dispossessing nations or individuals. For instance, in [[Deuteronomy 9:4]], Moses reminds Israel that the Lord "drives them out" (referring to the nations of Canaan) before them. This highlights God's sovereign power and His execution of justice against the wickedness of the inhabitants. Similarly, in [[Psalm 44:2]], the psalmist recalls how God "drove out" the nations by His hand to plant Israel.
* **Divine Rejection and Discipline of Israel:** Tragically, `{{H1920}}` is also used to describe God's "casting away" or "thrusting out" of His own people due to their unfaithfulness and idolatry. [[2 Kings 17:20]] states that the Lord "rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them out of His sight." This powerful imagery underscores the severe consequences of covenant disobedience. Similar expressions of divine abandonment are found in prophetic laments, such as [[Jeremiah 7:15]], where God threatens to "cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brothers, all the offspring of Ephraim." Even in lament, as in [[Psalm 44:9]] and [[Psalm 89:38]], the psalmist cries out about being "cast off" or "thrust away" by God, reflecting a profound sense of divine displeasure and the pain of exile.
* **Human Oppression and Injustice:** The verb also describes human actions, often in a negative light. In [[Amos 2:7]], the prophet condemns those who "pant after the dust on the head of the poor and turn aside the way of the humble," using a form of `{{H1920}}` to describe how they "thrust aside" or "push down" the needy. This illustrates the social injustice and moral corruption prevalent among the people, where the powerful actively suppress the vulnerable.
* **Military and Conflict:** In a more literal sense, `{{H1920}}` can describe the act of driving back or repelling an enemy in battle, though this usage is less frequent than its theological applications.
Across these contexts, the common thread is a forceful, deliberate act of removal, whether by divine decree or human will, often with significant consequences for the one being expelled.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H1920}}` intersects with several other Hebrew terms related to removal, separation, and judgment:
* `{{H1644}}` (gārash): "to drive out, dispossess, cast out." This term often describes the expulsion of enemies from the land or a divorce. While similar in outcome, `{{H1920}}` often emphasizes the *force* of the push, while `{{H1644}}` focuses on the *act* of driving out.
* `{{H5080}}` (nādach): "to thrust away, banish, scatter." This word often implies a scattering or driving away of people, particularly in the context of exile or judgment.
* `{{H7971}}` (shālach): "to send, send away, dismiss." While broader, it can encompass the idea of sending someone away in dismissal or divorce.
* `{{H5256}}` (nāsaʿ): "to pull up, tear out, depart, remove." This word can describe the removal of tent pegs or the breaking of camp, implying a less forceful, more voluntary departure or removal.
Theologically, `{{H1920}}` is closely tied to concepts such as divine judgment, covenant faithfulness and unfaithfulness, exile, dispossession, and the consequences of sin. Its antonymous concepts would include gathering, restoration, acceptance, and drawing near.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1920}}` is profound, revealing crucial aspects of God's character and the nature of His relationship with humanity:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Justice:** The frequent use of `{{H1920}}` to describe God's action underscores His absolute sovereignty over nations and individuals. His ability to "drive out" or "cast away" serves as a powerful demonstration of His justice, particularly against unrighteousness and idolatry. It affirms that God is not passive but actively intervenes in history to uphold His righteous standards.
* **Covenant Consequences:** For Israel, the threat and reality of being "cast away" or "thrust out" served as a stark reminder of the covenant's conditional nature. Disobedience, particularly idolatry, had severe consequences, culminating in exile and separation from God's presence and the promised land. This emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the importance of faithfulness to God's commands.
* **Lament and Hope:** While the term often appears in contexts of divine judgment, its use in laments ([[Psalm 44:9]], [[Psalm 89:38]]) reveals the deep distress of God's people when they feel "cast off." These laments, however, often serve as a plea for restoration, highlighting the enduring hope in God's mercy and His covenant promises, even in the midst of discipline.
* **Human Responsibility and Injustice:** When applied to human actions, `{{H1920}}` exposes the moral failings of humanity, particularly the sin of oppression. The forceful "thrusting away" of the poor and vulnerable by the powerful stands in direct opposition to God's heart for justice and compassion, serving as a prophetic indictment.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H1920}}` (hâdaph) fundamentally signifies a forceful act of "pushing away or down," extending to "casting away," "driving out," and "expelling." Its occurrences in the biblical text powerfully illustrate both divine and human actions. Theologically, it illuminates God's sovereign justice in dispossessing wicked nations and His disciplinary judgment upon His unfaithful people, leading to their being "cast away" from His presence or land. Simultaneously, it condemns human injustice, particularly the active oppression of the vulnerable. Despite its frequently negative connotations of rejection and expulsion, its appearance in laments also subtly points to the enduring hope for divine restoration and mercy, even after experiencing the consequences of being "thrust away."
TRV