a primitive root; to rub or strike the hands together (in exultation); clap.
Transliteration:mâchâʼ
Pronunciation:maw-khaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb מָחָא (mâchâʼ), Strong's number `{{H4222}}`, is a primitive root primarily defined as "to rub or strike the hands together." Its core meaning is "to clap." While seemingly simple, the act of clapping carries a rich semantic range, reflecting various emotional states and actions depending on the context. It can signify:
1. **Exultation and Joy:** An expression of delight, triumph, or celebration.
2. **Acclamation and Approval:** A gesture of welcome, assent, or honor, often directed towards a king or a victor.
3. **Derision and Scorn:** A sign of mockery, contempt, or triumph over an enemy's downfall.
4. **Astonishment or Indignation:** A reaction to shocking events or a display of divine wrath.
5. **A Signal or Prophetic Act:** A commanded action to signify an impending event, particularly divine judgment.
The verb's infrequent occurrences in the Hebrew Bible underscore its powerful and often dramatic impact when employed.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb מָחָא (mâchâʼ) appears only a handful of times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance illuminating a distinct facet of its semantic range:
* **Joyful Acclamation:**
* In [[2 Kings 11:12]], the people "clapped their hands" (וַיִּמְחֲאוּ כָף) and declared "Long live the king!" upon Joash's anointing. Here, clapping is a demonstrative act of joyous affirmation and loyal acclamation for the newly crowned monarch, accompanying the blowing of trumpets and shouts of celebration.
* [[Psalm 47:1]] issues a universal call: "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." This verse commands an act of worship and exuberant praise to God, who is depicted as the great King over all the earth. Clapping here is a physical expression of adoration and joyful recognition of divine sovereignty.
* **Derision and Scorn:**
* [[Lamentations 2:15]] describes the reaction of passersby to the desolation of Jerusalem: "All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem." In this sorrowful context, clapping is an act of cruel mockery and derision, expressing contempt and schadenfreude over the city's tragic downfall.
* [[Nahum 3:19]] speaks of the ultimate fate of Nineveh: "All that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?" Here, the clapping signifies widespread relief and triumphant exultation over the destruction of a notoriously oppressive enemy, a just recompense for their pervasive wickedness.
* **Divine Judgment and Indignation:**
* [[Ezekiel 21:14]] (MT 21:19) records a divine command to the prophet: "Thou therefore, son of man, smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain." And again in [[Ezekiel 21:17]] (MT 21:22): "I will also smite My hands together, and I will cause My fury to rest." In this context, the prophet's act of "clapping hands" (הַכֵּה כַף) is a performative prophetic sign, a solemn and emphatic declaration of impending divine judgment and the relentless advance of God's punishing sword upon Israel.
* [[Ezekiel 22:13]] presents an anthropomorphic expression of God's own wrath: "Behold, therefore, I have smitten Mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee." Here, God declares that He has "clapped His hands" (הִכֵּיתִי כַפִּי) in indignation and decisive judgment against Jerusalem's corrupt practices and bloodshed. This portrays divine anger and the certainty of His intervention to bring justice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The act of clapping (מָחָא, mâchâʼ) is often associated with other forms of vocal and physical expression:
* **Shouting:** Often paired with verbs like `{{H7321}}` (rûaʿ, "to shout, raise a war-cry or shout of joy") or `{{H7442}}` (rânan, "to shout for joy, to rejoice"), as seen in [[Psalm 47:1]] and [[2 Kings 11:12]]. This highlights the comprehensive nature of emotional expression.
* **Hissing and Wagging the Head:** In contexts of derision, clapping can be accompanied by other gestures of scorn, such as those described in [[Lamentations 2:15]].
* **Blowing Trumpets:** A signal of celebration or solemnity, often accompanying acclamation, as in [[2 Kings 11:12]].
* **Bodily Expression:** מָחָא (mâchâʼ) is part of a broader biblical understanding of the human body as an instrument for expressing deep emotion, whether in worship, lament, or judgment. This includes bowing, lifting hands, weeping, and tearing garments.
* **Divine Anthropomorphism:** The rare instances where God Himself is depicted as "clapping His hands" (e.g., [[Ezekiel 22:13]]) are powerful anthropomorphisms, conveying the intensity and decisiveness of divine emotion and action, particularly in judgment.
### Theological Significance
The word מָחָא (mâchâʼ) carries significant theological weight, despite its limited occurrences:
* **Worship and Praise:** Clapping is presented as a legitimate and even commanded form of worship, a physical manifestation of inner joy and triumph in the presence of God's kingship and power ([[Psalm 47:1]]). It underscores that worship is not solely intellectual but involves the full person, body and soul.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Justice:** When God Himself "claps His hands" ([[Ezekiel 22:13]]), it is a profound declaration of His absolute authority and righteous indignation. It signifies a decisive, irreversible act of judgment against sin and injustice. This anthropomorphic expression emphasizes God's active involvement in the affairs of humanity and His commitment to justice.
* **Prophetic Authority:** The prophet's act of clapping, when divinely commanded ([[Ezekiel 21:14]]), transforms a common gesture into a powerful, performative sign. It imbues the prophet's message with divine authority, signaling the imminent and certain execution of God's word.
* **Human Response to Providence:** The range of emotions expressed through clapping—from joyous celebration to bitter scorn—reflects the diverse ways humanity responds to divine providence and the unfolding of history. It highlights the human capacity for both profound praise and deep-seated malice or relief.
* **The Triumph of God's Purposes:** Whether in the acclamation of a righteous king ([[2 Kings 11:12]]) or the derision over a fallen oppressor ([[Nahum 3:19]]), clapping often marks a moment of decisive victory or the fulfillment of God's redemptive or punitive purposes.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb מָחָא (mâchâʼ), meaning "to clap," is a potent and expressive term in the biblical lexicon. Though infrequent, its occurrences reveal a broad semantic range, encompassing emotions from joyous worship and acclamation to bitter derision and divine indignation. It serves as a physical sign of human triumph, scorn, or profound praise, and remarkably, as an anthropomorphic expression of God's decisive judgment. The study of מָחָא (mâchâʼ) underscores the expressive nature of the human body in worship and emotion, and vividly portrays God's own active and powerful engagement with His creation, particularly in the execution of His righteous will. Each instance of this word is deeply contextual, revealing the nuanced depths of biblical expression.
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