from חָצָץ; also like חֵץ; properly, something cutting; hence, gravel (as grit); an arrow; arrow, gravel (stone).
Transliteration:châtsâts
Pronunciation:khaw-tsawts'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H2687}}` (châtsâts) derives from the verbal root `{{H2686}}` (châtsâts), meaning "to divide," "to cut off," or "to distribute." This core semantic field of "cutting" or "fragmentation" gives rise to the noun's dual primary meanings: "gravel" and, by association, "arrow." As "gravel," it denotes small, sharp, or broken stones, emphasizing the idea of fragmentation or something abrasive. The definition explicitly notes its similarity to `{{H2671}}` (chêts), which means "arrow." An arrow, in this context, is understood as a cutting or piercing instrument, thus maintaining the semantic link to the root's concept of incisive action. Therefore, `{{H2687}}` encompasses both the fragmented, abrasive nature of gravel and the piercing, decisive quality of an arrow, all stemming from the foundational idea of division or cutting.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The direct occurrence of `{{H2687}}` as "gravel" is found singularly in the Masoretic Text:
* [[Lamentations 3:16]]: "He has also made my teeth to break on gravel; He has covered me with ashes." In this poignant lament, the prophet Jeremiah (or the voice of afflicted Israel) employs the vivid imagery of breaking teeth on "gravel" (חָצָץ). This metaphor powerfully conveys extreme suffering, degradation, and the utter bitterness of their experience. It suggests not merely hunger or lack of food, but a situation so dire and humiliating that one is forced to consume something utterly indigestible and destructive, leading to physical damage and profound anguish. The act of chewing gravel is a visceral depiction of the depths of despair and the harshness of divine judgment or affliction. While `{{H2687}}` itself does not directly appear as "arrow" in extant biblical texts, its base definition and etymological link to `{{H2671}}` (chêts) strongly suggest this secondary meaning, reflecting the shared concept of "cutting" or "piercing."
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root `{{H2686}}` (châtsâts), from which `{{H2687}}` is derived. This root means "to divide," "to cut off," or "to distribute," providing the foundational semantic context for the noun's meanings. The concept of "gravel" (חָצָץ) directly relates to the idea of something that has been broken or fragmented. The strong connection to `{{H2671}}` (chêts), "arrow," is also crucial. While distinct lemmas, their shared etymological root and the explicit cross-referencing in the definition of `{{H2687}}` highlight a common conceptual thread of something that cuts, pierces, or divides with precision and force. Other related concepts include:
* **Fragmentation and Degradation:** As seen in the imagery of gravel, signifying brokenness and a state of extreme lowliness.
* **Piercing and Judgment:** Through the association with arrows, representing swift action, often in the context of divine judgment or warfare.
* **Abrasiveness and Hardship:** Gravel implies a harsh, grinding, and difficult experience.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of `{{H2687}}` in [[Lamentations 3:16]] carries profound theological weight. The image of breaking teeth on gravel is a powerful metaphor for the profound suffering and abject humiliation experienced by God's people due to their sin and the ensuing divine judgment. It speaks to a state of utter desperation where even the most basic human functions (eating) become instruments of pain and degradation. This vivid imagery underscores the severity of God's disciplinary hand, demonstrating that even the most mundane elements of existence can become sources of intense suffering when divine favor is withdrawn. The association with "arrows" (via `{{H2671}}`) further reinforces the theme of divine agency in affliction, where God's judgments can be precise, swift, and inescapable, piercing the heart of the afflicted. Thus, `{{H2687}}` serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the depth of sorrow experienced under God's righteous hand, yet within the broader context of Lamentations, it also subtly points towards the hope of restoration that can only emerge from such profound brokenness.
### Summary
`{{H2687}}` (châtsâts) is a Hebrew noun whose core meaning stems from the root "to cut" or "to divide." This gives rise to its dual senses: "gravel," signifying fragmentation, abrasiveness, and degradation, and by association with `{{H2671}}` (chêts), "arrow," representing something that cuts or pierces. Its primary biblical appearance is in [[Lamentations 3:16]], where "gravel" vividly portrays extreme suffering and humiliation as a consequence of divine judgment. Theologically, `{{H2687}}` encapsulates the harshness of affliction, the depth of human despair, and the precise, sometimes painful, nature of God's sovereign dealings with His people, whether through the grinding hardship of "gravel" or the piercing judgment of an "arrow."
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