### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **kêylaph**, represented by `{{H3597}}`, refers to **a club or sledge-hammer; hammer**. Derived from an unused root that means to clap or strike with noise, this term appears only **1 time** in the entire Bible. Its singular use describes a tool of forceful, destructive impact.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H3597}}` is in [[Psalms 74:6]], within a lament over the desecration of the sanctuary. The verse describes enemies who "break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and **hammers**" [[Psalms 74:6]]. Here, the **kêylaph** is not a tool of construction but of violent demolition, used to shatter the ornate and sacred carvings of God's house in a unified assault.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in the passage illuminate the context of this destructive act:
* `{{H1986}}` **hâlam**: This root means **to strike down; by implication, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband; beat (down), break (down), overcome, smite (with the hammer)**. It is the action performed with the hammer in [[Psalms 74:6]], emphasizing a forceful and conquering strike.
* `{{H3781}}` **kashshîyl**: Defined as **an axe**, this word identifies the companion tool used alongside the hammer. The pairing of axes and hammers in [[Psalms 74:6]] highlights the deliberate and comprehensive nature of the destruction.
* `{{H6603}}` **pittûwach**: This term means **sculpture... carved (work)... grave(-ing, -n)**. It refers to the object of destruction—the beautiful carvings of the sanctuary. The same word is used for holy inscriptions, such as the plate on the priest's forehead [[Exodus 28:36]] and figures in the temple [[1 Kings 6:29]], making its destruction particularly significant.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3597}}` is concentrated in its single, powerful appearance.
* **Instrument of Desecration:** The hammer is used specifically to destroy sacred art. Its target, the "carved work" `{{H6603}}`, is elsewhere associated with items of worship and holiness, turning the **kêylaph** into a symbol of profane violence against the sacred.
* **Symbol of Hostile Force:** Paired with the axe `{{H3781}}` and the verb "break down" `{{H1986}}`, the hammer represents the brute force of enemies set against God's dwelling place. The action is done "at once" `{{H3162}}`, signifying a unified and merciless assault.
* **A Tool of Ruin:** While a hammer can be a tool for building, its only biblical mention as a **kêylaph** is in the context of ruin. It stands as a stark reminder of how common implements can be turned to purposes of sacrilege and destruction.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3597}}` **kêylaph** is a rare but impactful word. Its solitary mention in scripture vividly portrays it as a hammer used not for creation, but for the violent destruction of sacred beauty. Its significance is defined entirely by its context in [[Psalms 74:6]], where it serves as a potent symbol of desecration, hostility, and the brutal demolition of what is holy.
TRV