from an unused root meaning to clap or strike with noise; a club or sledge-hammer; hammer.
Transliteration:kêylaph
Pronunciation:kay-laf'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma כֵּילַף (kêylaph, `{{H3597}}`) describes a heavy implement designed for forceful impact. Derived from an unused root suggestive of a "clapping" or "striking with noise," its core meaning encompasses a "club" or "sledge-hammer," ultimately translated as "hammer." This etymological root hints at the percussive sound associated with its use, emphasizing the violent and decisive nature of its function. Unlike more refined tools, כֵּילַף signifies an instrument of raw power, capable of demolition and heavy-duty work.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כֵּילַף (kêylaph, `{{H3597}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in [[Psalm 74:6]]. The verse reads, "And now all its carved work they break down with axes and hammers." The context of Psalm 74 is a lament over the destruction and desecration of God's sanctuary, likely referring to the temple in Jerusalem. The psalmist describes the enemies of God as having utterly defiled and demolished the sacred space. The pairing of כֵּילַף ("hammers") with מַעֲצַד (ma'atsad, `{{H4621}}`, "axes") highlights the systematic and brutal nature of the destruction. These are not tools for careful craftsmanship but for unsparing demolition, used to shatter intricate carvings and sturdy structures. The single occurrence thus powerfully underscores the extent of the desolation and the violence inflicted upon a place held sacred by God's people.
### Related Words & Concepts
To fully appreciate כֵּילַף (kêylaph, `{{H3597}}`), it is helpful to consider other Hebrew terms for striking implements and the concepts they embody:
* **מַעֲצַד (ma'atsad, `{{H4621}}`):** "Axe," often used for felling trees or breaking down structures, as seen alongside כֵּילַף in [[Psalm 74:6]].
* **מַקֶּבֶת (maqqebeth, `{{H4717}}`):** A more common word for "hammer," "mallet," or "pick-axe," often associated with piercing or driving, as in Jael's use of a tent peg and hammer in [[Judges 4:21]].
* **פַּטִּישׁ (paṭṭîš, `{{H6360}}`):** Another significant term for "hammer" or "mallet," frequently used in the context of blacksmithing or breaking rock. Notably, God's word is likened to a hammer that breaks rock in [[Jeremiah 23:29]].
The concept of destruction, demolition, and violence is central to the use of כֵּילַף. It is a tool of desecration, employed by those who show no reverence for sacred spaces or divine institutions.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of כֵּילַף (kêylaph, `{{H3597}}`) in [[Psalm 74:6]] imbues it with profound theological significance within the context of lament and divine judgment. As an instrument used to demolish the temple's sacred carved work, it symbolizes the brutal and unsparing nature of the enemy's assault on God's dwelling place. This act of destruction is not merely physical; it is a profound spiritual violation, signifying the apparent triumph of chaos and human rebellion over divine order. The use of such a heavy, destructive tool emphasizes the thoroughness of the desecration, leaving nothing of the temple's beauty and sanctity intact. Theologically, כֵּילַף becomes an emblem of the destructive power of evil and the devastating consequences when human sin is unleashed against what is holy. The psalmist's lament, therefore, is a cry for God to remember His covenant and intervene against those who wield such instruments of destruction, restoring justice and divine presence.
### Summary
The Hebrew word כֵּילַף (kêylaph, `{{H3597}}`) denotes a "club" or "sledge-hammer," an implement characterized by its forceful and noisy impact. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Psalm 74:6]] vividly portrays the violent destruction of God's sanctuary, where it is used alongside axes to shatter sacred carved work. This specific usage establishes כֵּילַף as a powerful symbol of demolition and desecration. Theologically, it underscores the profound lament over the physical and spiritual violation of God's dwelling place, representing the destructive capacity of human rebellion and evil against divine order and sanctity.
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