from כָּשַׁל; properly, a feller, i.e. an axe; ax.
Transliteration:kashshîyl
Pronunciation:kash-sheel'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term kashshîyl (`{{H3781}}`) is derived from the root kashal (`{{H3782}}`), which fundamentally conveys the idea of "to stumble, totter, or fall," or causatively, "to cause to stumble or fall." Consequently, kashshîyl literally means "a feller" or "that which causes to fall." In its concrete application, the word refers to an "axe" or "hatchet," an instrument specifically designed for cutting down or breaking apart. Its semantic range is narrow, consistently denoting this particular tool, with its significance intrinsically linked to the action of felling or demolishing that it performs. The etymological connection emphasizes the tool's destructive capability and its effect on what it strikes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word kashshîyl (`{{H3781}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, yet each occurrence is highly impactful and illustrative of its core meaning:
* **Psalm 74:6**: "And now all its carved work they smash with axes and hammers." [[Psalm 74:6]]
* In this lamentation psalm, the speaker mourns the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The "axes" (כַּשִּׁילִים) are depicted as instruments of violent desecration, used by the invaders to shatter the intricate and sacred carvings of God's sanctuary. The use of kashshîyl here underscores the thoroughness and brutality of the demolition, highlighting the profound sacrilege committed against a holy place and the depth of the resulting desolation. It speaks to the deliberate dismantling of beauty and sacred order.
* **Jeremiah 46:22**: "Her voice will hiss like a serpent as they advance with an army, and they will come against her with axes like woodcutters." [[Jeremiah 46:22]]
* This verse is part of a prophetic oracle against Egypt, foretelling its defeat by the Babylonian army. The invading forces are vividly compared to "woodcutters" (חֹטְבֵי עֵצִים) wielding "axes" (כַּשִּׁילִים). This powerful simile portrays the overwhelming and systematic nature of the Babylonian conquest. Just as woodcutters methodically fell trees in a forest, so too will the enemy army decisively and unsparingly dismantle and destroy the Egyptian forces and infrastructure. Here, the kashshîyl symbolizes an instrument of divine judgment and comprehensive conquest.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for kashshîyl (`{{H3781}}`) is its root, kashal (`{{H3782}}`), which is frequently used in the Hebrew Bible to describe stumbling, falling, or being caused to fall, often in a metaphorical sense pertaining to moral or spiritual failure, ruin, or defeat. The physical act of "felling" by an axe is thus a concrete manifestation of the abstract concept of causing something to collapse or come to ruin.
Other Hebrew words for "axe" or similar cutting tools include:
* garzen (`{{H1631}}`): A common term for an axe, often used for felling trees.
* magzerah (`{{H4050}}`): A cutting instrument.
* ma'atsad (`{{H4621}}`): A hewing tool, possibly an adze or pickaxe.
* qardom (`{{H6901}}`): Another term for axe, often appearing in contexts of tree-felling.
The concept of the kashshîyl is inextricably linked to broader biblical themes of destruction, judgment, and the consequences of sin or rebellion. It serves as a tangible symbol of decisive action, whether in the context of human warfare or divine retribution.
### Theological Significance
Though appearing only twice, the kashshîyl (`{{H3781}}`) carries profound theological resonance through its evocative imagery:
* **Instrument of Divine Judgment:** In [[Jeremiah 46:22]], the axe in the hands of the invading army is not merely a tool of war but a potent symbol of God's sovereign judgment. The methodical and unsparing work of the axe reflects the thoroughness of divine retribution against nations that stand in opposition to His will. It underscores the biblical truth that God can use human agents as instruments to "cut down" even the most powerful of earthly kingdoms.
* **Symbol of Desecration and Ruin:** The use of kashshîyl in [[Psalm 74:6]] to smash the sacred carvings of the Temple highlights the devastating impact of human sin and rebellion, which can lead to the profanation and destruction of even holy spaces. The axe here represents the brutal reality of consequence, where the beauty and sanctity of God's dwelling place are laid waste. It evokes a deep sense of sorrow and theological questioning regarding the apparent withdrawal of divine protection.
* **Consequences of Disobedience:** The imagery inherent in kashshîyl—that which causes to fall—serves as a stark reminder of the inevitable consequences of disobedience, both for individuals and nations. Just as a tree is felled by an axe, so too can structures, societies, or spiritual states "fall" under the weight of divine decree or the natural outcomes of their actions. The kashshîyl thus embodies the decisive and often destructive unfolding of God's plans or the consequences of human choices.
### Summary
The Hebrew word kashshîyl (`{{H3781}}`), derived from the root kashal (`{{H3782}}`) meaning "to stumble or fall," precisely denotes an "axe" or "feller." Its rare yet impactful appearances in the Hebrew Bible—in [[Psalm 74:6]] and [[Jeremiah 46:22]]—establish it as a powerful symbol of decisive and often destructive action. In Psalm 74, it vividly portrays the sacrilegious demolition of the Temple's sacred artistry, evoking profound sorrow and a sense of desecration. In Jeremiah 46, it illustrates the overwhelming force and methodical judgment brought by an invading army, likened to woodcutters systematically felling trees. Theologically, kashshîyl thus serves as a potent emblem of divine judgment, the devastating consequences of human rebellion, and the thoroughness with which both human and divine agents can dismantle what stands, whether it be a nation, a sacred structure, or the pride of humanity. It underscores the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate sovereignty of God in orchestrating the rise and fall of all things.
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