English · KJV
H4222

מָחָא

mâchâʼ /maw-khaw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto rub or strike the hands together (in exultation)
KJV usageclap.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mâchâʼ — 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 mâchâʼ, represented by H4222, is a primitive root meaning to rub or strike the hands together (in exultation); clap. It is a rare term, appearing only 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, but its usage reveals a powerful physical expression of intense emotion.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The context of H4222 shows two dramatically different meanings. In Isaiah, it is used figuratively to describe creation's response to God's redemptive work, where "all the trees of the field shall clap their hands" Isaiah 55:12. Similarly, in the Psalms, nature is personified in praise as the "floods clap their hands" Psalms 98:8. In stark contrast, Ezekiel uses the term to describe a human act of contempt and malicious joy against Israel, with God declaring, "Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite" Ezekiel 25:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the action and emotion associated with clapping:

  • H3709 kaph: This word for the hollow hand or palm is used in the contexts of joyful praise, where trees and floods clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12, Psalms 98:8).
  • H3027 yâd: Defined as a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),, this word for hand is used in the context of clapping with spiteful intent against Israel Ezekiel 25:6.
  • H7440 rinnâh: Meaning a shout (of joy or grief), this word is paired with clapping hands in Isaiah's depiction of cosmic joy Isaiah 55:12.
  • H7554 râqaʻ: A primitive root meaning to pound the earth (as a sign of passion), this action of stamping is directly linked with clapping hands as an expression of contempt Ezekiel 25:6.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4222 is found in its portrayal of a physical act that reveals the state of the heart.

  • Cosmic Praise: In its positive sense, clapping is an act of universal exultation. When nature is depicted as clapping its hands, it signifies a creation-wide celebration and response to the joy and peace brought by God (Isaiah 55:12, Psalms 98:8).
  • Malicious Glee: The act of clapping is not inherently holy. In Ezekiel, it is an expression of human sin, a gloating over the affliction of God's people. It is combined with stamping the feet and rejoicing with "despite" Ezekiel 25:6.
  • Indicator of Judgment: The context in Ezekiel shows that when clapping is motivated by contempt for God's people, it incurs divine judgment. The act serves as evidence of a heart condition that stands opposed to God's purposes.

Summary

In summary, H4222 is a specific and potent term. Though used only three times, it powerfully illustrates how the same physical action—striking the hands together—can signify two opposite spiritual realities. It can be an expression of pure, universal joy in response to God's glory, or it can be a sign of depraved, spiteful glee that provokes His judgment. The meaning is defined not by the action itself, but by the heart from which it originates.

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 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • יִמְחֲאוּ
  • מַחְאֲ

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.

H3709 כַּף from כָּפַף; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, H3027 יָד a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applicat H7440 רִנָּה from רָנַן; properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief); cry, gladness, joy, proclamation, rejo H7554 רָקַע a primitive root; to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to ove

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 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms, Isaiah, and Ezekiel (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
Psalms
1
Isaiah
1
Ezekiel

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.