כָּתַת

kâthath /kaw-thath'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto bruise or violently strike
KJV usagebeat (down, to pieces), break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit, smite, stamp. l
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word kâthath, represented by H3807, is a primitive root that signifies a violent or destructive impact. It appears 17 times across 17 unique verses in the Bible. Its core meaning is to bruise or violently strike, with applications that include to beat (down, to pieces), break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit, smite, and stamp.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H3807 is frequently used to describe acts of complete destruction, particularly in the context of divine judgment or purification. It depicts the physical annihilation of idols, such as when King Hezekiah brake in pieces the bronze serpent 2 Kings 18:4 or when the graven images of Samaria were to be beaten to pieces Micah 1:7. The word also portrays military defeat and ruin, as when the Amorites destroyed Israel in Seir Deuteronomy 1:44 or when the LORD's enemies are beaten down Jeremiah 46:5. Conversely, in a powerful prophetic image of future peace, Isaiah and Micah describe a time when nations will beat their swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3). This is inverted in Joel, where a call to war commands the people to Beat your plowshares into swords Joel 3:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words further illustrate the concept of breaking, striking, and destroying:

  • H5422 nâthats (to tear down): This word often appears alongside H3807, emphasizing the demolition of idolatrous structures. In 2 Chronicles 34:7, King Josiah had broken down the altars before he had beaten the graven images into powder.
  • H2912 ṭâchan (to grind meal): This term highlights the process of reducing something to dust. It is used in parallel with H3807 when Moses took the golden calf, stamped it, and ground it until it was as small as dust Deuteronomy 9:21.
  • H7665 shâbar (to burst, break in pieces): This word often describes the shattering of objects or power. The dossier notes its use to describe how the arms of the wicked shall be broken Psalms 37:17.
  • H5221 nâkâh (to strike, smite): A broader term for striking, it is used in the context of divine judgment, as when God promises to smite the earth with a curse Malachi 4:6.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3807 is demonstrated in several key themes:

  • Purification through Destruction: The act of beating idols into powder or dust is not merely destruction but a radical form of purification, removing the object of false worship from the land (2 Chronicles 34:7, Deuteronomy 9:21).
  • Consequence of Sin: The word is used to depict the consequences of disobedience, both for Israel when they are discomfited by their enemies Numbers 14:45 and for enemy nations facing divine judgment Jeremiah 46:5.
  • Eschatological Reversal: H3807 is central to the prophetic vision of God's ultimate reign. The act of "beating" is transformed from an instrument of war into an act of peace, turning swords into farming tools Isaiah 2:4. This highlights a future where God's judgment brings about a complete reversal of the world's violent order.

Summary

In summary, H3807 kâthath is a powerful word that conveys violent, shattering force. It is used literally to describe the pulverizing of idols and the defeat of armies, and prophetically to illustrate the final transformation of a world at war into a kingdom of peace. The word demonstrates how a single act of "beating" can represent both the severity of divine judgment against sin and the hope of ultimate redemption.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 17 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms.

  • Hophal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 3×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 3×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hophal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Pual Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hophal
The passive of the causative (Hiphil) stem.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 17 verses across 12 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (3 verses).

1
Leviticus
1
Numbers
2
Deuteronomy
1
2 Kings
2
2 Chronicles
1
Job
1
Psalms
3
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
1
Joel
2
Micah
1
Zechariah

Verse Explorer

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