(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of חַסְפַּס; a clod; clay.
Transliteration:chăçaph
Pronunciation:khas-af'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term H2635 (חֲסַף, chăçaph) carries the primary meaning of "clay" or "clod." Its etymological root is understood to correspond to that of חַסְפַּס (chasphas), which, though not a Strong's number, suggests a connection to broken pieces or fragments, particularly of pottery. This implies that chăçaph refers to clay not only in its malleable state but also in its hardened, often brittle, form. The word thus encompasses the material itself, whether as raw earth or as a solidified, yet fragile, substance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, H2635 appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically within the Book of Daniel. Its most significant and illustrative occurrences are found in Daniel chapter 2, where it describes the feet of the colossal statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. The dream depicts the feet as being composed of "iron mixed with miry clay" (חֲסַף).
* [[Daniel 2:33]]: "its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay."
* [[Daniel 2:34]]: "You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces."
* [[Daniel 2:35]]: "Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors..."
* [[Daniel 2:41]]: "Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided..."
* [[Daniel 2:42]]: "And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile."
* [[Daniel 2:43]]: "As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay."
The repeated emphasis on the inability of iron and clay to truly mix or cohere ([[Daniel 2:43]]) is central to Daniel's interpretation. The clay represents an element of inherent weakness and brittleness within a seemingly strong (iron) kingdom. This mixture signifies a kingdom that is internally divided, fragile, and ultimately destined for fragmentation and collapse.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "clay" is rich in biblical imagery, even if specific Aramaic parallels are limited.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** The most common Hebrew term for clay or mire is `{{H2916}}` (ṭîṭ), often used to describe the earth from which humanity was formed or as a metaphor for human frailty and lowliness (e.g., [[Job 10:9]], [[Isaiah 64:8]]).
* **Potter and Clay:** The pervasive biblical motif of the potter and the clay, symbolizing God's sovereign power over humanity and His right to mold and shape nations, resonates deeply with the use of chăçaph. While H2635 itself doesn't directly describe a potter's work, the material's properties—its malleability when wet, its fragility when hardened—are implicitly understood.
* **Iron (Aramaic `{{H6523}}` parzel):** The direct contrast with "iron" (`{{H6523}}`) in Daniel 2 is crucial. The juxtaposition highlights the incompatible nature of the two materials, symbolizing the inherent disunity and lack of lasting cohesion within the final earthly kingdom.
* **Human Frailty:** The use of clay often points to the created, mortal, and inherently weak nature of humanity, as opposed to the divine. This underlying concept informs the symbolic meaning of chăçaph in Daniel 2, representing the human, fallible element within a worldly power structure.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2635 (chăçaph) is profound, primarily derived from its symbolic role in Daniel 2.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Empires:** The dream, and Daniel's interpretation, underscore God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the rise and fall of empires. The detailed prophecy concerning the statue's materials, including the clay, reveals God's foreknowledge and control over even the seemingly disparate elements of human kingdoms.
* **Inherent Weakness of Human Systems:** The "iron mixed with miry clay" is a powerful metaphor for the intrinsic weakness and disunity within human political and social structures. Despite attempts at strength and cohesion (like iron), the presence of "clay" signifies an inherent fragility, a lack of true bonding, and an ultimate inability to form a lasting, unified dominion apart from God. This speaks to the limitations of human power and the futility of human efforts to establish perfect, enduring societies on their own terms.
* **Eschatological Decline and Divine Intervention:** In its eschatological context, the feet of iron and clay represent the final earthly kingdom(s) before the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. The brittleness of the clay indicates the terminal stage of human dominion, characterized by internal division and instability. This foreshadows the dramatic intervention of God, symbolized by the "stone cut without hands" ([[Daniel 2:45]]), which shatters these fragmented human powers, paving the way for the indestructible and everlasting kingdom of God. The clay thus highlights the transient and vulnerable nature of all human authority in contrast to the eternal and unbreakable reign of the Almighty.
### Summary
H2635 (חֲסַף, chăçaph) is an Aramaic word meaning "clay" or "clod," prominently featured in Daniel 2. In Nebuchadnezzar's dream, it describes the feet of the statue as "iron mixed with miry clay," a powerful symbol of the inherent weakness, disunity, and ultimate fragility of human empires. This imagery highlights that despite outward strength, human systems are prone to fragmentation due to their disparate and incompatible components. The theological significance lies in its demonstration of divine sovereignty over human history, revealing the transient nature of all earthly power in contrast to the eternal and unbreakable kingdom of God. The brittleness of the clay underscores the inevitable collapse of human dominion, making way for the divine kingdom that will utterly supersede all worldly authority.
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