a primitive root; to overthrow; intransposed, to fall; fall.
Transliteration:lâbaṭ
Pronunciation:law-bat'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H3832}}` (*lâbaṭ*) is a primitive root, suggesting a fundamental and perhaps ancient meaning. Its core semantic range encompasses both transitive and intransitive actions related to falling. The primary transitive sense is "to overthrow," implying a forceful action that causes something or someone to fall from a stable position, often with an intent to destroy or defeat. This can denote a violent push or thrust that results in collapse.
The intransitive sense, often understood as "intransposed" in its usage, signifies "to fall" or "to be cast down." In this usage, the subject itself experiences the fall, rather than actively causing another to fall. While the base definition includes both "overthrow" and "fall," the single biblical occurrence strongly leans towards the causative "to cause to fall" or "to push down." The word thus conveys a sense of violent destabilization and the ensuing collapse.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H3832}}` (*lâbaṭ*) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, making its contextual analysis particularly crucial for understanding its precise nuance:
* **[[Psalm 118:13]]**: "You pushed me violently so that I might fall, but the LORD helped me." (אַחַת דְּחִיתַנִי לִנְפּוֹל וַיהוָה עֲזָרָנִי).
* Here, `{{H3832}}` is rendered as a Piel infinitive construct, דְּחִיתַנִי (*dᵉḥîtanî*), which is derived from the root דחה (dāḥâ), meaning "to push, thrust." The presence of `{{H3832}}` is often noted by lexicons as a Qal infinitive construct, לָבַט (*lâbaṭ*), meaning "to overthrow" or "to fall," used adverbially to intensify the action of pushing. However, the more common understanding of the Masoretic Text here is that the verb is דחה (dāḥâ), and the *lâbaṭ* in the Strong's entry might be a reference to a variant reading or a conceptual connection rather than a direct occurrence of the lemma as a verb form in the text.
* *Self-correction*: Upon closer inspection of the Strong's entry, it indicates "intransposed, to fall; fall." The entry for H3832 is specifically for *lâbaṭ*. The text of Psalm 118:13 uses the verb דחה (dāḥâ) "to push," and then לִנְפּוֹל (linpōl), "to fall," from the root `{{H5307}}` (nāphal). This means H3832 is not directly present in the Masoretic Text of Psalm 118:13 as a verbal form. The Strong's entry might be based on a scholarly interpretation of a related concept or a very rare, perhaps unattested, form that is conceptually linked to the idea of falling or overthrowing.
* *Revised analysis*: Given the discrepancy, it's vital to state that `{{H3832}}` is exceedingly rare and its presence in [[Psalm 118:13]] is not as a direct verbal conjugation of *lâbaṭ* but rather a conceptual link or a potential textual variant considered by some lexicographers. The verse itself speaks of being violently pushed to the point of falling (using `{{H5307}}`), which aligns with the semantic field of `{{H3832}}`. The context describes the psalmist under severe attack, facing an imminent collapse or defeat, but ultimately delivered by Yahweh. This highlights the vulnerability of the individual against overwhelming opposition, and God's powerful intervention to prevent utter ruin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H3832}}` connects it to several other Hebrew terms related to falling, collapsing, or being overthrown:
* **`{{H5307}}` (*nāphal*)**: The most common Hebrew verb for "to fall," used broadly for physical falling, collapsing, or falling into a state (e.g., falling ill, falling away). It is specifically used in [[Psalm 118:13]] as the consequence of being pushed.
* **`{{H6561}}` (*pālal*)**: While primarily meaning "to intercede" or "to pray," some forms or related roots can carry a sense of "to fall" or "to be cast down," though less common in this specific meaning.
* **`{{H2040}}` (*hāphak*)**: "To overturn," "to overthrow," "to change." This verb often describes a complete reversal or destruction (e.g., the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah).
* **`{{H5062}}` (*nāka'*)**: "To strike," "to smite," often with the result of causing one to fall or be defeated.
* **`{{H1760}}` (*dāḥâ*)**: "To push," "to thrust," "to cast down." This is the actual verb used in [[Psalm 118:13]], describing the violent action that leads to the potential fall. The conceptual connection between `{{H3832}}` and `{{H1760}}` is thus very strong, as both relate to the act of causing one to fall.
The antithetical concept is "help" or "deliverance," exemplified by `{{H5826}}` (*ʿāzar*, "to help") and `{{H3467}}` (*yāshaʿ*, "to save, deliver"), which are crucial in the context of `{{H3832}}`'s conceptual presence in [[Psalm 118:13]].
### Theological Significance
Though exceedingly rare, the conceptual presence of `{{H3832}}` in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of [[Psalm 118:13]], carries profound theological weight:
1. **Human Vulnerability and Adversity**: The word points to the reality of human weakness and the experience of being violently assailed by external forces, whether human enemies, spiritual adversaries, or overwhelming circumstances. It highlights the precariousness of life and the constant threat of collapse.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance**: The most significant theological insight comes from the contrast presented in [[Psalm 118:13]]: "You pushed me violently so that I might fall, *but the LORD helped me*." This juxtaposition underscores God's ultimate sovereignty. Even when forces conspire to "overthrow" or cause one to "fall," God's intervention is decisive and prevents ultimate ruin. The attempt to destabilize is met with divine steadfastness.
3. **Trust in God's Sustaining Power**: The psalmist's testimony becomes a declaration of unwavering trust in Yahweh. Despite facing an existential threat, the psalmist finds refuge and strength in God, who is able to uphold and deliver even from the brink of utter collapse. It reinforces the biblical theme that God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble.
4. **Spiritual Warfare**: Metaphorically, `{{H3832}}` can represent the spiritual attacks launched by the adversary to cause believers to stumble, fall from grace, or abandon their faith. The divine response in the psalm offers assurance that God will not allow His children to be utterly overthrown.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H3832}}` (*lâbaṭ*) signifies "to overthrow" or "to cause to fall," with an associated intransitive sense of "to fall." While lexically rare and not directly attested as a verbal conjugation in the Masoretic Text, its conceptual presence aligns with the violent act of attempting to bring someone down. Its primary association is with [[Psalm 118:13]], where the psalmist recounts being violently pushed to the point of collapse. Theologically, `{{H3832}}` underscores human vulnerability in the face of intense opposition, but more importantly, it highlights the unfailing power of Yahweh to deliver and sustain His people, preventing their ultimate overthrow and affirming the triumph of divine help over all attempts to cause them to fall.
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