### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **zânach**, represented by `{{H2186}}`, is a primitive root meaning to **push aside, reject, forsake, or fail**. It is used to describe the act of casting something or someone away or removing them far off. This powerful term appears **22 times** across **20 unique verses** in the Bible, often conveying a sense of severe rejection or abandonment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H2186}}` is frequently used to describe God's relationship with His people. The psalmists cry out to God, asking why He has **cast them off** in times of distress and defeat ([[Psalms 43:2]], [[Psalms 44:9]]). The term signifies a tangible experience of divine judgment, where God **casts off** His own altar and sanctuary because of transgression [[Lamentations 2:7]]. This rejection is also presented as a conditional consequence of disobedience, as in the warning that if Solomon were to forsake God, God would **cast him off** for ever [[1 Chronicles 28:9]]. However, scripture also contains the promise that this state is not final, as the Lord will not **cast off** for ever [[Lamentations 3:31]] and will restore His people as though He had never **cast them off** [[Zechariah 10:6]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help to clarify the meaning and context of being cast off:
* `{{H3988}}` **mâʼaç** (to spurn; abhor, reject): This word often appears alongside `{{H2186}}` to intensify the meaning of rejection. In a moment of judgment, God is described as having both **cast off** and **abhorred** his anointed [[Psalms 89:38]].
* `{{H5800}}` **ʻâzab** (to forsake; leave): This term describes the act of abandonment that often precedes being cast off. It is used in the condition given to Solomon, where if he were to **forsake** God, the consequence would be that God would **cast him off** [[1 Chronicles 28:9]].
* `{{H599}}` **ʼânaph** (to be angry, displeased): This word points to the cause of the rejection. God's action of casting off his people is linked to his displeasure with them, as seen when the people lament, "O God, thou hast **cast us off**... thou hast been **displeased**" [[Psalms 60:1]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2186}}` is significant, highlighting key aspects of God's character and His covenant relationship with Israel.
* **Divine Judgment:** The act of being cast off is a direct and severe consequence of sin and turning away from God. Israel is told that because it has **cast off** what is good, the enemy will pursue it [[Hosea 8:3]]. Similarly, King Ahaz's transgression is marked by the vessels he **did cast away** [[2 Chronicles 29:19]].
* **Expression of Anguish:** The word is a central feature in prayers of lament, giving voice to the profound sense of abandonment felt by individuals and the nation. The psalmists repeatedly ask God why He has **cast them off** [[Psalms 74:1]] and plead with Him not to **cast them off** forever [[Psalms 44:23]].
* **The Hope of Restoration:** Despite the finality the term implies, it is used in passages that affirm God's ultimate mercy. The Lord promises that He will not **cast off** for ever [[Lamentations 3:31]], and through His mercy, His people will be restored as though they had not been **cast off** at all [[Zechariah 10:6]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2186}}` is a term that encapsulates a powerful and painful experience of rejection and abandonment. While it functions as a stark warning of the consequences of forsaking God, it is also a cry of desperation from those who feel forsaken. It illustrates the severity of divine judgment on sin, yet it does not stand as the final word. The use of **zânach** within the broader scriptural context reveals that even in the face of being cast off, the possibility of divine mercy and restoration remains.
TRV