a primitive root; properly, to start up suddenly, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, to fear; (make) haste (away), tremble.
Transliteration:châphaz
Pronunciation:khaw-faz'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root חָפַז (châphaz, `{{H2648}}`) is a primitive verb whose core meaning conveys the idea of a sudden, abrupt movement or reaction. The semantic range extends from this initial "starting up suddenly" to encompass several related concepts:
1. **To hasten away/flee:** This is a direct implication of a sudden start, often driven by urgency or fear. The movement is rapid and decisive, aimed at escape or evasion.
2. **To fear/tremble:** The suddenness can also manifest as an internal or physical reaction to apprehension or terror. This implies an involuntary, agitated state, sometimes leading to the rapid movement described above.
3. **To be hasty/rash:** In a more abstract sense, it can describe a sudden, ill-considered action or statement made in a moment of distress or impulsivity.
Thus, חָפַז captures a sense of immediate, often involuntary, response to a perceived threat, command, or overwhelming circumstance, leading to either rapid departure or an internal state of agitation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root חָפַז (châphaz, `{{H2648}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but each instance richly illustrates its semantic breadth:
* **Physical Flight from Danger:**
* In [[1 Samuel 23:26]], David is described as "hastening" (חָפַז) to escape Saul, who was surrounding him. Here, the word clearly denotes a rapid, urgent flight driven by imminent danger.
* [[2 Kings 7:15]] recounts the flight of the Arameans, who had "hastily" (חָפַז) discarded their clothes and equipment. This portrays a panicked, disorderly retreat, emphasizing the speed born of terror.
* [[Psalm 48:5]] describes kings who "saw it, and so they marveled; They were terrified, they fled in panic" (חָפַז). The context is the awe-inspiring sight of Zion, implying that the kings' sudden flight was an immediate, fear-induced reaction to divine presence or power.
* **Divine Power and Control:**
* [[Psalm 104:7]] poetically describes the waters of the deep at creation or the flood: "At Your rebuke they fled; At the sound of Your thunder they hastened away" (חָפַז). Here, the word highlights the irresistible power of God's command, causing even the vast waters to recede suddenly and swiftly.
* **Rashness and Impulsivity:**
* [[Psalm 31:22]] (MT 31:23) records David's confession: "For I said in my haste (חָפַז), 'I am cut off from before Your eyes'; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You." This usage refers to a sudden, rash, or panicked statement made in a moment of distress, revealing human frailty and despair.
* [[Ecclesiastes 8:3]] advises: "Do not be hasty (חָפַז) to depart from his presence. Do not persist in an evil thing, for he will do whatever he pleases." Here, "hasty" implies an ill-advised, impulsive, or sudden departure from the king's presence, warning against rash action in the face of authority.
Across these contexts, חָפַז consistently points to an immediate, often involuntary, and rapid response, whether physical flight, a trembling reaction, or a sudden, ill-considered utterance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of חָפַז (châphaz, `{{H2648}}`) overlaps with several other Hebrew terms related to speed, fear, and movement:
* **Speed/Haste:**
* `{{H4116}}` (māhar): To hasten, hurry, be quick. This is a more general term for speed, lacking the specific nuance of suddenness or fear often associated with חָפַז.
* `{{H7323}}` (rûṣ): To run. Focuses on the act of running, which may or may not be sudden or fear-driven.
* **Fear/Dismay/Trembling:**
* `{{H926}}` (bāhal): To be terrified, dismayed, or thrown into confusion, often leading to haste. This word shares the aspect of fear-induced urgency with חָפַז, but emphasizes the internal state of terror more directly.
* `{{H6342}}` (pāḥad): To dread, fear, tremble. Primarily focuses on the emotion of fear and its physical manifestation (trembling), without necessarily implying sudden movement or flight.
* `{{H2729}}` (ḥarad): To tremble, be anxious, be afraid. Similar to `{{H6342}}`, focusing on the physical or emotional state of fear.
* **Flight/Escape:**
* `{{H5127}}` (nûs): To flee, escape. A general term for flight, which may or may not be sudden or panicked.
While these words share aspects of movement or emotion, חָפַז uniquely combines the elements of suddenness, speed, and an underlying impetus often related to fear, urgency, or divine power.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חָפַז (châphaz, `{{H2648}}`) lies primarily in its portrayal of human vulnerability and the overwhelming power of God.
1. **Human Frailty and Impulsivity:** In instances like [[Psalm 31:22]] and [[Ecclesiastes 8:3]], חָפַז highlights the human tendency towards rashness or despair when under pressure. David's "haste" in declaring himself "cut off" reveals a moment of profound doubt and human limitation, contrasting sharply with God's steadfastness. The advice in Ecclesiastes warns against impulsive actions in the face of authority, suggesting that human plans or reactions born of "haste" can be ill-fated.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Irresistible Power:** The most profound theological implications arise when חָפַז describes reactions to God's presence or command. In [[Psalm 48:5]], the kings "fled in panic" at the sight of Zion, a metaphor for God's dwelling. This illustrates the utter terror and powerlessness of human might before the divine. Similarly, [[Psalm 104:7]] depicts the very waters of creation "hastening away" at God's rebuke, underscoring His absolute control over creation. This demonstrates that all things, even the most vast and powerful elements, are subject to God's immediate and irresistible will, responding with sudden obedience or flight.
In essence, חָפַז serves as a linguistic brushstroke to paint scenes where human and natural forces alike are suddenly and decisively moved or overcome, often by fear or by the sheer, undeniable power of the Almighty. It emphasizes that before God, there is no lingering, no resistance, only an immediate and often fearful response.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb חָפַז (châphaz, `{{H2648}}`) is a potent term conveying the concept of a sudden, rapid, and often involuntary movement or reaction. Its core meaning of "starting up suddenly" expands to encompass fleeing in haste, trembling with fear, or acting rashly. Biblical occurrences demonstrate its use in depicting physical flight from danger (e.g., David from Saul in [[1 Samuel 23:26]], the Arameans in [[2 Kings 7:15]]), the panicked retreat of adversaries before divine presence (e.g., kings in [[Psalm 48:5]]), and the immediate obedience of creation to God's command (e.g., waters in [[Psalm 104:7]]). Furthermore, it describes human impulsivity or despair, as seen in David's "haste" when making a rash statement in distress ([[Psalm 31:22]]) or the warning against "hasty" departure in [[Ecclesiastes 8:3]]. Theologically, חָפַז powerfully illustrates human vulnerability and the overwhelming, irresistible sovereignty of God, before whom all things "hasten away" or "tremble" in immediate response to His will.
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