a primitive root; to bruise or violently strike; beat (down, to pieces), break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit, smite, stamp. l
Transliteration:kâthath
Pronunciation:kaw-thath'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H3807}}` (כָּתַת, kâthath) is a primitive root conveying the fundamental idea of a violent, decisive impact that results in fragmentation or complete destruction. Its core meaning revolves around the action of "bruising" or "violently striking." This initial sense expands into a robust semantic range encompassing various forms of breaking and crushing.
The primary nuances include:
* **Physical Fragmentation:** To "beat down," "beat to pieces," "break in pieces," or "crush." This often implies reducing something solid into smaller, unusable fragments, or rendering it utterly broken. Examples include smashing idols or grinding grain.
* **Overwhelming Defeat:** Beyond mere physical breakage, kâthath can describe the complete "discomfiture," "destruction," or "smashing" of an enemy or an opposing force, often in a military or judicial context. This denotes a decisive and irreversible defeat.
* **Stamping/Trampling:** The sense of "stamping" suggests a forceful, downward pressure that flattens or obliterates.
The intensity inherent in kâthath implies an action that is not gentle or reversible, but rather definitive and often destructive, leading to a state of ruin or non-existence for the object of the verb.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H3807}}` appears approximately 15 times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the Qal and Piel stems, emphasizing its active and intensive nature. Its occurrences illuminate its various applications:
* **Destruction of Idolatry:** A prominent use of kâthath is in the context of dismantling and utterly destroying idols and pagan altars. Moses commands the Israelites to "break in pieces" (תְּכַתֵּת, tekatet) the images of the Canaanites [[Exodus 34:13]]. Similarly, King Josiah "crushed" (וַיְכַתֵּת, vayekattet) the Asherah pole and the idolatrous altars, grinding them to powder [[2 Kings 23:6]], [[2 Kings 23:15]]. This highlights the divine abhorrence of idolatry and the imperative to eradicate its physical manifestations.
* **Divine Judgment and Military Defeat:** God is often depicted as the one who "crushes" or "breaks" nations and enemies as an act of judgment. In [[Psalm 18:42]] (// [[2 Samuel 22:43]]), David declares that he "crushed" (אֲכִתְּתֵם, akhittem) his enemies like dust, a metaphor for total victory enabled by God. Isaiah prophesies that the Lord will "crush" (וְכִתַּתִּיהָ, vekhittatiha) Assyria on His mountain [[Isaiah 14:25]], signifying a decisive defeat of a powerful oppressive empire. This illustrates God's sovereign power over nations and His commitment to justice.
* **Oppression and Crushing of the Poor:** The root also appears in contexts describing human oppression. In [[Job 4:20]], the transient nature of human life is described as being "crushed" (יְכַתּוּ, yekhattu) before the moth, signifying vulnerability and destruction. While not directly about human-on-human oppression, it underscores the vulnerability to crushing forces. Micah laments how leaders "crush" (וְכִתַּתֶּם, vekhittatem) the faces of the poor [[Micah 3:3]], using the vivid imagery of grinding their faces to illustrate severe exploitation and dehumanization.
* **Figurative Breaking:** In [[Job 5:4]], Eliphaz speaks of the children of the wicked being "crushed" (יְכַתּוּ, yekhattu) in the gate, implying their ruin and inability to find justice or protection.
Across these contexts, kâthath consistently denotes an action of significant force, leading to the disintegration, defeat, or ruin of its object, whether physical idols, hostile armies, or vulnerable people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H3807}}` overlaps with several other Hebrew roots that convey notions of breaking, shattering, or destroying, yet each carries its own nuance:
* `{{H7533}}` (רָצַץ, ratsats): Often translated as "to crush," "to break," or "to oppress." While very close in meaning to kâthath, ratsats can sometimes emphasize the act of breaking bones or physical oppression, as seen in [[Ecclesiastes 12:6]] (the golden bowl is "broken"). kâthath seems to lean more towards the complete pulverization or reduction to pieces.
* `{{H6567}}` (פָּרַר, parar): "To break," "to annul," "to frustrate." This root often implies breaking a covenant or a plan, rendering it void, rather than physical destruction.
* `{{H5210}}` (נָכָה, nakah): "To strike," "to smite," "to beat." nakah is a more general term for striking, which can lead to injury or death, but does not inherently carry the connotation of breaking into pieces like kâthath.
* `{{H7492}}` (רָעַע, ra'a'): "To break," "to shatter," "to do evil." This root can describe physical breaking as well as moral corruption, but kâthath specifically focuses on the violent, fragmenting action.
* `{{H6327}}` (פוּץ, puts): "To scatter," "to disperse." While kâthath implies breaking *into* pieces, puts implies the scattering *of* those pieces or a group.
The concept of "breaking" or "crushing" is central to biblical themes of:
* **Divine Sovereignty:** God's power to break the might of nations.
* **Judgment:** The crushing of the wicked or those who defy God.
* **Idolatry:** The command to utterly destroy false gods and their symbols.
* **Oppression:** The lament over the crushing of the vulnerable by the powerful.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3807}}` (kâthath) is profound, revealing key aspects of God's character, His relationship with humanity, and the nature of evil.
Firstly, kâthath underscores **God's absolute power and sovereignty**. When God "crushes" nations or armies, it is a demonstration of His irresistible might and His ability to bring down even the most formidable human powers. This serves as a warning to those who oppose Him and a reassurance to His people that He is capable of delivering them from oppression. The crushing of Assyria in [[Isaiah 14:25]] is a testament to God's control over historical events and His ultimate triumph over evil empires.
Secondly, the frequent use of kâthath in the context of destroying idols highlights **God's intolerance for idolatry and His demand for exclusive worship**. The command to "break in pieces" pagan images is not merely a physical act but a theological statement: false gods are nothing, powerless, and must be utterly annihilated from the land and from the hearts of the people. This act of crushing symbolizes the invalidation and nullification of anything that usurps God's rightful place.
Thirdly, kâthath speaks to **divine justice and judgment**. The "crushing" of the wicked, whether individuals or nations, is a manifestation of God's righteous wrath against sin, rebellion, and oppression. While God is merciful, He is also just, and kâthath vividly portrays the decisive and destructive consequences for those who persist in evil. It teaches that sin, when unrepented, leads to ruin.
Finally, the use of kâthath to describe the "crushing" of the poor in [[Micah 3:3]] reveals **God's deep concern for the vulnerable and His condemnation of social injustice**. This prophetic indictment uses the most severe imagery to convey the heinousness of exploiting the weak. It implies that such actions are an affront to God and will incur His judgment.
In essence, kâthath serves as a powerful verbal image of decisive action, whether by God or by man, leading to the fragmentation and ruin of its object. It speaks to the finality of divine judgment, the necessity of eradicating idolatry, and the severity of oppression.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H3807}}` (כָּתַת, kâthath) is a primitive verb signifying a violent, decisive act of "bruising" or "striking" that results in the complete "breaking in pieces," "crushing," or "destroying" of an object. Its semantic range encompasses both physical pulverization and the overwhelming defeat or discomfiture of an opponent.
Biblical occurrences demonstrate its use in the context of:
1. The zealous **destruction of idols** and pagan altars, symbolizing the nullification of false worship.
2. God's **divine judgment and military triumph** over oppressive nations, showcasing His sovereign power.
3. The **oppression and ruin** of the vulnerable, highlighting the severity of social injustice.
Theologically, kâthath profoundly illustrates God's absolute power, His uncompromising stance against idolatry, and His unwavering commitment to justice. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rebellion against Him and the ultimate fate of evil. This powerful root contributes significantly to the biblical narrative of conflict, judgment, and the decisive nature of divine action.
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