### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H2193}}` (זָעַךְ, zâʻak) is classified as a primitive root, indicating its fundamental and irreducible nature within the Hebrew lexicon. Its core meaning revolves around the concept of cessation, specifically "to extinguish" or "to be extinct." This implies the complete termination of a state or existence, particularly akin to the snuffing out of a flame or light. The verb denotes the active process of putting something out, while its passive or stative form emphasizes the resulting condition of having been extinguished—a state of non-existence or complete cessation. The semantic range of `{{H2193}}` is notably narrow, focusing exclusively on this definitive end, often with a sense of finality and irreversibility.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H2193}}` (זָעַךְ, zâʻak) appears only twice in the Masoretic Text, both instances occurring within the profound and complex dialogues of the book of Job. This rarity suggests a specialized and potent usage, reserved for contexts of intense suffering, divine judgment, and the ephemeral nature of life.
* In [[Job 17:1]], Job laments, "My spirit is broken, my days are extinct (זָעַכוּ), the graves are ready for me." Here, `{{H2193}}` is employed metaphorically to describe the complete exhaustion and termination of Job's life. The plural form and passive voice ("are extinct") powerfully convey a sense of utter despair and the imminent, inevitable end of his earthly existence, as if the very flame of his life has been decisively put out. The verse underscores Job's profound suffering and his perception of being at death's door.
* In [[Job 18:5]], Bildad the Shuhite, in his accusatory speech to Job, declares, "Indeed, the light of the wicked will be extinguished (יִזְעַךְ), and the flame of his fire will not shine." In this context, `{{H2193}}` is used predictively and judgmentally. The "light" (אוֹר, 'ôr, `{{H216}}`) and "flame" (לֶהָבָה, lehābâ, `{{H3852}}`) of the wicked symbolize their prosperity, influence, and very life. The verb here signifies the complete and certain cessation of their success and existence, aligning precisely with the primary meaning of putting out a fire. This usage is embedded within the theme of divine retribution, where the temporary flourishing of the wicked is destined for a definitive end.
Both occurrences of `{{H2193}}` emphasize the absolute finality implied by the word, whether describing the end of a suffering individual's life or the termination of the wicked's transient prosperity.
### Related Words & Concepts
While `{{H2193}}` is a rare and distinct verb, its meaning resonates with other Hebrew terms and concepts related to cessation, destruction, and the extinguishing of light or life.
* **Words for extinguishing/quenching:**
* `{{H3518}}` (כָּבָה, kāḇâ): This is the more common and broader verb for "to quench" or "to extinguish," frequently used for lamps, fires, or anger (e.g., [[1 Samuel 3:3]], [[Proverbs 31:18]]). While sharing a semantic core, `{{H2193}}` appears to carry a stronger sense of absolute and irreversible cessation, perhaps due to its extreme rarity and specific, weighty contexts in Job.
* **Words for ending/destroying:**
* `{{H3615}}` (כָּלָה, kālâ): "to complete, finish, cease, consume, destroy." This verb has a wide semantic range, often implying a coming to an end, whether through completion or destruction.
* `{{H622}}` (אָסַף, 'āsaḵ): "to gather, remove, take away, destroy." Can imply an end to existence or a removal from life.
* **Concepts of light and darkness:** The use of `{{H2193}}` in relation to "light" and "flame" in [[Job 18:5]] links it to the pervasive biblical motif of light symbolizing life, prosperity, divine favor, and truth, while darkness represents death, judgment, and ignorance. The extinguishing of light, therefore, is a profound theological statement about the termination of these positive aspects, often as a consequence of divine action or the natural course of mortality.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H2193}}` (זָעַךְ, zâʻak) is profound, primarily stemming from its stark portrayal of **finality and cessation** within the framework of divine sovereignty and human mortality.
* **Human Mortality and Despair:** In Job's lament in [[Job 17:1]], the declaration that his "days are extinct" (זָעַכוּ) underscores the profound fragility of human life and the inevitability of death. It articulates the existential despair that can overwhelm an individual facing overwhelming suffering and the perceived end of all hope. This usage implicitly acknowledges God's ultimate authority over life and death, even as Job grapples with the apparent injustice of his circumstances. It serves as a poignant reminder of the brevity and vulnerability of human existence.
* **Divine Judgment and Retribution:** The use of `{{H2193}}` in [[Job 18:5]] to describe the extinguishing of the "light of the wicked" (יִזְעַךְ) functions as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment. It signifies the complete, irreversible end of the wicked's prosperity, influence, and very being. This aligns with the consistent biblical theme that the triumph of the wicked is temporary and ultimately brought to nothing by God's righteous decree. It emphasizes God's justice in bringing an absolute end to unrighteousness and its fleeting manifestations.
* **Contrast with God's Eternal Nature:** The transient nature of human life and the certain end of the wicked, as powerfully depicted by `{{H2193}}`, stands in stark contrast to the eternal, unquenchable nature of God. While human "lights" can be extinguished, God's light is everlasting, and His purposes cannot be thwarted or brought to an end. This rare but potent word serves as a solemn reminder of the brevity of life apart from God's sustaining power and the certain, definitive outcome for those who oppose His righteous will.
### Summary
The Hebrew primitive root `{{H2193}}` (זָעַךְ, zâʻak) conveys the core meaning of "to extinguish" or "to be extinct," signifying the complete and irreversible cessation of a state or existence, often metaphorically applied to a flame or light. Its two occurrences, exclusively in the book of Job, imbue it with significant theological weight. In [[Job 17:1]], it powerfully expresses Job's profound despair as his "days are extinct," highlighting human mortality and the finality of life's end. In [[Job 18:5]], it is employed by Bildad to depict the inevitable "extinguishing" of the "light" and "flame" of the wicked, serving as a vivid metaphor for divine judgment and the certain end of unrighteous prosperity. Thus, `{{H2193}}` underscores the brevity of human existence and the certainty of divine retribution, standing in sharp contrast to the eternal, unquenchable nature of God Himself. It is a word that speaks with solemn authority to the themes of ultimate finality in both human suffering and divine justice.
TRV