### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yeshach**, represented by `{{H3445}}`, means **casting down** or **hunger**. Its root suggests gaping, like an empty stomach. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, highlighting a very particular state of being.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H3445}}` is in [[Micah 6:14]], where it describes a condition of profound futility as a form of divine judgment. The verse states, "Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy **casting down** shall be in the midst of thee." In this context, **yeshach** denotes an internal state of emptiness and debasement that persists despite physical actions. It is a central part of a curse where all effort is rendered void; attempts to find satisfaction or security ultimately fail.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of `{{H3445}}` is illuminated by the words surrounding it in its only context:
* `{{H398}}` **ʼâkal** (to eat): This word describes the physical act that is meant to bring fulfillment. In [[Micah 6:14]], the action of eating is directly contrasted with the inability to be satisfied, linking it to the internal state of **yeshach**.
* `{{H7646}}` **sâbaʻ** (to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction): The absence of satisfaction is the direct consequence described alongside the "casting down." This shows that `{{H3445}}` is not just a physical state but an inability to achieve fulfillment.
* `{{H5253}}` **nâçag** (to take hold): This term is used in [[Micah 6:14]] to describe a futile attempt to secure or save something, which is ultimately unsuccessful. This broadens the theme of futility beyond just hunger to all efforts.
* `{{H2719}}` **chereb** (sword): This represents the ultimate end for anything one tries to save, symbolizing judgment and destruction. It is the final outcome of the condition that includes the internal "casting down" [[Micah 6:14]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3445}}` is significant despite its rarity.
* **Judgment as Futility:** The word is used exclusively in a prophetic warning to illustrate the nature of divine judgment. This judgment manifests as a state where human efforts become meaningless and lead to perpetual lack.
* **Internal Emptiness:** Positioned "in the midst of thee" [[Micah 6:14]], **yeshach** signifies a deep, internal void. It is a spiritual hunger and despair that cannot be resolved by external or physical means, stemming from a broken relationship with God.
* **A State of Cursedness:** The "casting down" is part of a series of curses: eating without satisfaction and trying to save things only to see them given to the sword `{{H2719}}`. This places `{{H3445}}` as a key component of a life lived under a curse.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3445}}` **yeshach** is a powerfully descriptive term for a state of being brought low. Though found only once, its context in [[Micah 6:14]] defines it as more than simple hunger or a lowered status. It represents a profound and internal condition of futility and emptiness, a spiritual void that serves as a direct consequence of divine judgment, where every effort to find satisfaction fails.
TRV