English · KJV
H3905

לָחַץ

lâchats /law-khats'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to distress
KJV usageafflict, crush, force, hold fast, oppress(-or), thrust self.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of lâchats — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word lâchats, represented by H3905, is a primitive root that properly means to press. It appears 19 times across 18 unique verses in the Bible. Figuratively, its meaning extends to distress, afflict, crush, force, hold fast, and oppress. This term is used to describe both literal physical pressure and the metaphorical weight of persecution and affliction.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H3905 describes various forms of pressure and force. It is most frequently used to characterize the suffering of Israel under its enemies, such as the Egyptians who oppress them Exodus 3:9 or the king of Syria who oppressed them during the reign of Jehoahaz 2 Kings 13:4. The term also carries a more literal, physical meaning, as when Balaam's ass thrust herself against a wall and crushed his foot Numbers 22:25. Additionally, it can signify forcible confinement or containment, seen when the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountains Judges 1:34 and when Elisha commands the elders to hold fast a messenger at the door 2 Kings 6:32.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of pressure and affliction:

  • H3906 lachats (distress; affliction, oppression): This is the noun form derived directly from H3905. It is often used in tandem with the verb, as in Exodus 3:9, which speaks of "the oppression (lachats) wherewith the Egyptians oppress (lâchats) them."
  • H1766 dâchaq (to press, i.e. oppress; thrust, vex): This word appears alongside H3905 to describe the dual hardships faced by the Israelites, who suffered from those that oppressed them and vexed them Judges 2:18.
  • H3238 yânâh (to suppress, to maltreat; vex): In the Law, this term is used in a parallel prohibition with H3905, commanding the Israelites to "neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him" Exodus 22:21.
  • H7602 shâʼaph (to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; desire, devour, swallow up): This word connects the idea of oppression to a consuming action. The psalmist cries out to God against the man who "would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me" Psalms 56:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3905 is significant, highlighting God's relationship with the afflicted and His stance against injustice.

  • A Catalyst for Divine Action: The act of oppression is repeatedly shown to provoke a divine response. When the Israelites cry out to the LORD "because of the oppressors (lâchats)," He sends them a savior to deliver them Isaiah 19:20. The LORD sees the oppression and hears the cry that results from it Exodus 3:9.
  • An Object of Divine Judgment: The Bible is clear that God will hold oppressors accountable. In Jeremiah 30:20, God promises His restored people, "I will punish (pâqad) all that oppress them."
  • A Prohibited Act: The Law explicitly forbids the Israelites from becoming oppressors themselves, reminding them of their own history of suffering. They are commanded not to oppress a stranger because they know the heart of a stranger from their time in Egypt Exodus 23:9.
  • A Consequence of Disobedience: In the book of Judges, oppression is often a direct consequence of Israel's turning away from God. The LORD delivers them from those that oppressed them only after they cry out to Him in repentance (Judges 2:18, Judges 10:12).

Summary

In summary, H3905 lâchats is a dynamic term that conveys a range of meanings from literal physical force to the severe affliction of a nation. It plays a crucial role in the biblical narrative, particularly in describing the suffering of Israel at the hands of its enemies. Theologically, the concept of oppression is a trigger for divine intervention, a subject of divine judgment, and a behavior strictly forbidden under God's law, reminding believers of God's constant vigilance over the afflicted.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 19 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • לֹחֲצִים
  • לֹחֲצֵי
  • לָחַץ
  • יִּלְחָצוּ
  • תִלְחָצֶ
  • תִּלָּחֵץ
  • תִּלְחַץ
  • לְחַצְתֶּם
  • לָחֲצוּ
  • יִלְחָצֵ
  • לָחֲצוּ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3906 לַחַץ from לָחַץ; distress; affliction, oppression. H1766 דָּחַק a primitive root; to press, i.e. oppress; thrust, vex. H3238 יָנָה a primitive root; to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat; destroy, (thrust out by) oppress(-ing H7602 שָׁאַף a primitive root; to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten; desire (earnes

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 18 verses across 9 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Judges (5 verses); never once in the other 30.

3
Exodus
1
Numbers
5
Judges
1
1 Samuel
3
2 Kings
2
Psalms
1
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
1
Amos

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.