from הָפַךְ; a destruction; when...overthrew, overthrow(-n).
Transliteration:mahpêkâh
Pronunciation:mah-pay-kaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מַהְפֵּכָה (mahpêkâh, `{{H4114}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the root הָפַךְ (haphak, `{{H2015}}`), which means "to turn, overturn, overthrow, upset, change." While the root haphak can denote a simple turning or transformation, the noun mahpêkâh specifically carries the intensified sense of a violent and complete overturning, leading to utter destruction or ruin. Its semantic range thus encompasses "overthrow," "destruction," "ruin," and "catastrophe." The term invariably points to a decisive, often catastrophic, reversal of fortune or state, particularly one orchestrated by divine power as an act of judgment. It signifies not merely a change, but a subversion that results in total desolation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word mahpêkâh occurs five times in the Masoretic Text, and its usage is remarkably consistent, almost exclusively referring to the archetypal destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah or invoking it as a paradigm for similar divine judgments.
1. **[[Deuteronomy 29:23]]**: This is the first occurrence, describing the land of the wicked as "brimstone and salt, a burning overthrow (מַהְפֵּכָה), not sown and not producing, nor does any grass grow in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and in His wrath." Here, mahpêkâh describes the *result* of the divine act – a state of utter desolation mirroring the catastrophe that befell the cities of the plain. It highlights the irreversible nature of this judgment.
2. **[[Isaiah 13:19]]**: In a prophecy concerning the destruction of Babylon, Isaiah declares, "And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans, will be as when God overthrew (כְּמַהְפֵּכַת) Sodom and Gomorrah." This usage employs mahpêkâh as a standard of comparison, emphasizing the absolute and devastating nature of Babylon's impending ruin, equating it to the most severe historical example of divine wrath.
3. **[[Jeremiah 49:18]]**: Prophesying against Edom, Jeremiah states, "As in the overthrow (כְּמַהְפֵּכַת) of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbor cities, says the Lord, no one will live there, nor will a son of man reside in it." Again, mahpêkâh serves as the benchmark for a complete and permanent desolation, signifying that Edom's fate will be as dire and irreversible as that of the infamous cities.
4. **[[Jeremiah 50:40]]**: Reverting to the theme of Babylon's judgment, Jeremiah reiterates, "As when God overthrew (כְּמַהְפֵּכַת) Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbor cities, says the Lord, no one will reside there, nor will a son of man dwell in it." This repetition underscores the severity and finality of God's judgment upon Babylon, drawing directly from the most potent image of divine destruction.
5. **[[Amos 4:11]]**: In a lament over Israel's unresponsiveness to divine discipline, Amos proclaims, "I have overthrown (הָפַכְתִּי) some of you, as God overthrew (מַהְפֵּכַת) Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from the burning; yet you have not returned to Me, declares the Lord." Here, God explicitly states His own agency in past judgments on Israel, directly comparing them to the mahpêkâh of Sodom and Gomorrah, though with a crucial difference: some were spared, serving as a desperate call to repentance. This usage highlights God's power to execute such a judgment, even on His own people, and underscores the severity of the acts that failed to bring them to repentance.
Across all occurrences, mahpêkâh consistently denotes a divinely initiated, catastrophic, and often irreversible destruction, serving as a powerful warning against sin and a testament to God's righteous judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for mahpêkâh is its root, הָפַךְ (haphak, `{{H2015}}`). This verb appears frequently in various contexts, signifying turning, overturning, transforming, or changing. When applied to cities or nations, haphak often denotes a violent overthrow or destruction (e.g., Genesis 19:21, 25, 29 regarding Sodom and Gomorrah). The noun mahpêkâh encapsulates the *result* or *act* of such a complete and decisive turning upside down.
Other related concepts and words that convey similar notions of destruction, ruin, or desolation include:
* חֻרְבָּה (churbah, `{{H2723}}`): ruin, desolation.
* שַׁמָּה (shammah, `{{H8077}}`): desolation, horror.
* חָרַב (charab, `{{H2717}}`): to be dry, waste, desolate.
* שָׁמַם (shamam, `{{H8074}}`): to be desolate, appalled.
While these terms describe aspects of ruin, mahpêkâh uniquely emphasizes the *act* of violent overturning by divine power, often with the specific imagery of the Sodom and Gomorrah judgment. It is distinct from mere natural disaster, pointing instead to a deliberate, punitive act.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of mahpêkâh is profound, serving as a potent symbol of God's absolute sovereignty, righteous judgment, and the dire consequences of unrepentant sin.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The consistent use of mahpêkâh in the context of God's actions (e.g., "God overthrew," "the Lord overthrew") underscores His ultimate authority over creation and history. It demonstrates that God is not merely an observer but an active agent who intervenes decisively to execute justice. The "overthrow" is an act of divine will, not a random occurrence.
2. **Consequence of Grave Sin:** The word is inextricably linked to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities infamous for their profound wickedness. This connection establishes mahpêkâh as the ultimate expression of divine wrath against severe moral corruption, pride, and lack of compassion (as elaborated in Ezekiel 16:49-50). It serves as a stark reminder that sin, when left unchecked, inevitably incurs God's righteous judgment.
3. **Archetype of Destruction:** The mahpêkâh of Sodom and Gomorrah becomes the archetypal judgment, a measuring stick against which future destructions are compared. This provides a theological framework for understanding God's dealings with other rebellious nations (Babylon, Edom) and even His own people (Israel). It warns that no entity, however powerful or privileged, is immune to divine justice if they persist in wickedness.
4. **Irreversibility and Finality:** The imagery associated with mahpêkâh (brimstone, salt, desolation, uninhabited land) conveys a sense of utter and irreversible destruction. It implies a judgment so complete that recovery is impossible, signifying the finality of God's wrath when His patience is exhausted.
### Summary
מַהְפֵּכָה (mahpêkâh, `{{H4114}}`) is a powerful Hebrew noun signifying a complete, violent, and divinely orchestrated overthrow or destruction. Derived from the root הָפַךְ (haphak, `{{H2015}}`), it transcends a mere change, denoting a catastrophic subversion. Its limited but consistent usage in the biblical text ties it almost exclusively to the archetypal judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, serving as the benchmark for absolute divine devastation. Theologically, mahpêkâh underscores God's ultimate sovereignty and His righteous indignation against egregious sin, functioning as a perpetual warning and a testament to the irreversible consequences of His final judgment. It vividly portrays the terrifying yet just nature of God's wrath when unrepentant wickedness reaches its full measure.
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