English · KJV
H4239

מְחִי

mᵉchîy /mekh-ee'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom מָחָה
Meaninga stroke, i.e. battering-ram
KJV usageengines.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mᵉchîy — 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 mᵉchîy, represented by H4239, translates as a stroke, and more specifically as a battering-ram or engines. Derived from מָחָה, its meaning is tied to the act of striking. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of H4239 is found in a prophecy against Tyre. In Ezekiel 26:9, the text describes a siege, stating, "And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers." Here, mᵉchîy refers to the heavy siege machinery, like battering-rams, that would be used to assault and breach the city's formidable defenses, underscoring the intensity of the prophesied attack.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words in its immediate context help clarify the meaning and function of H4239:

  • H6904 qôbel (war): This word appears directly with H4239 in Ezekiel 26:9 as "engines of war," defining the purpose of the machinery as instruments for military conquest. It is defined as a battering-ram itself, reinforcing the theme.
  • H5422 nâthats (to tear down): This verb describes the outcome of using the engines and axes. The purpose is to break down the towers Ezekiel 26:9, signifying total destruction and overthrow.
  • H2719 chereb (a cutting instrument... axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool): Used in the same verse for the axes that accompany the siege engines, this word highlights the array of destructive tools employed in the assault Ezekiel 26:9.

Theological Significance

Though it appears only once, the theological weight of H4239 comes from its specific context in Ezekiel's prophecy.

  • Instrument of Judgment: The engine H4239 is not merely a human weapon but an instrument used to execute divine judgment against the pride of Tyre.
  • Overthrow of Human Defenses: The use of a battering-ram against walls and towers symbolizes the futility of human strength and fortifications when faced with a divine decree of destruction Ezekiel 26:9.
  • Tangible Depiction of Wrath: The word provides a vivid, concrete image of the force that will be brought against the city. It is part of a cluster of terms—including setting H5414 the engines and breaking down H5422 the towers—that illustrates the totality of the coming desolation.

Summary

In summary, H4239 is a highly specific term for a siege engine or battering-ram. Its single appearance in scripture is powerful, providing a graphic illustration of military destruction within a prophecy of divine judgment. It functions as a key component in the vocabulary of warfare used in Ezekiel 26:9 to portray the complete and forceful overthrow of a defiant city.

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 noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • מְחִי

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.

H6904 קֹבֶל from קָבַל in the sense of confronting (as standing opposite in order to receive); a battering-ram; war. H5422 נָתַץ a primitive root; to tear down; beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down. H2719 חֶרֶב from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implemen H5414 נָתַן a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, a

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

1 verse, all in Ezekiel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.