### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word machănaq (`{{H4267}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verbal root חָנַק (chanak), which means "to strangle" or "to choke." Consequently, machănaq denotes the act or state of strangulation or choking. Its core meaning emphasizes the cessation of breath due to constriction of the throat, leading to suffocation or death. The noun form captures the *means* or *effect* of this violent act. While its primary semantic range is literal, referring to physical strangulation, its lone biblical occurrence imbues it with profound metaphorical weight concerning the desire for an end to suffering.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Machănaq (`{{H4267}}`) is remarkably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once, in the book of Job.
* **[[Job 7:15]]**: "So that my soul chooses strangling, and death rather than my pains." (וַתִּבְחַר נַפְשִׁי מַחֲנָק מָוֶת מֵעַצְמוֹתָי)
In this poignant lament, Job, afflicted by immense physical and emotional suffering, expresses the depth of his despair. He declares that his soul prefers "strangling" (machănaq) and death over the excruciating pains that plague his very bones. This choice is not a casual wish for an end but a desperate preference for a swift, decisive, and even violent cessation of life over the prolonged, agonizing torment he endures. The inclusion of machănaq alongside "death" (מָוֶת) intensifies his plea, indicating that any end, no matter how brutal, would be preferable to his current state of living agony. It highlights the extremity of his suffering, where even such a method of dying is perceived as a form of release.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root Verb חָנַק (chanak)**: The verbal root from which machănaq is derived, chanak (`{{H2599}}`), also appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, consistently carrying the meaning of "to strangle" or "to choke." For instance, in [[Nahum 2:12]], it describes a lioness strangling its prey. The consistent meaning of the root reinforces the literal and violent nature of machănaq.
* **Concepts of Death and Suffering**: Machănaq stands in stark relation to various biblical terms for death (מָוֶת `{{H4194}}`) and suffering (כְּאֵב `{{H3511}}`, מַכְאוֹב `{{H4341}}`). Job's declaration juxtaposes the unbearable pain of his existence with the perceived mercy of a quick death, even by violent means. This aligns with broader biblical themes of lament and the human struggle against adversity.
* **Despair and Lamentation**: The use of machănaq in Job's speech places it within the biblical discourse on human despair and the raw expressions of lament before God. It echoes the deep anguish found in the Psalms of lament or the book of Jeremiah, where individuals wrestle with the overwhelming burdens of life.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of machănaq in [[Job 7:15]] carries profound theological weight:
* **The Depths of Human Suffering**: Machănaq serves as a stark descriptor of the utter depths to which human suffering can drive an individual. Job, a righteous man, is depicted in such extreme agony that he longs for a violent, self-inflicted end. This passage reveals the Bible's unflinching portrayal of the human experience of pain and despair, acknowledging that suffering can become so unbearable that death, even by strangulation, is seen as a welcome escape.
* **The Sovereignty of God Amidst Despair**: While Job expresses a desperate desire for death by machănaq, the broader narrative of Job ultimately reaffirms God's sovereign control over life and death. Job's wish is a human cry born of immense pain, not an endorsement of suicide, but a testament to the extremity of his trial. It highlights the limits of human endurance and the intensity of Job's faith struggle, which ultimately leads him to a deeper understanding of God's unsearchable ways.
* **The Value of Life in Crisis**: Paradoxically, Job's desire for machănaq underscores the profound value of life, even as he wishes for its cessation. His longing for a definitive end to his suffering is not a casual disregard for existence, but a desperate plea for relief from a life that has become a torment. The very extremity of his wish emphasizes the horror of his present condition and the preciousness of a life free from such agony.
### Summary
The Hebrew word machănaq (`{{H4267}}`), meaning "strangling" or "choking," is derived from the verb חָנַק (chanak). Its solitary, yet profoundly impactful, appearance in [[Job 7:15]] is central to understanding its significance. In this verse, Job, overwhelmed by his suffering, expresses a preference for death by strangulation over his unbearable pains. This raw and desperate cry illuminates the biblical understanding of extreme human anguish and despair. Theologically, machănaq serves as a vivid testament to the depths of human suffering depicted in Scripture, highlighting the honesty with which the biblical text confronts the reality of pain. It implicitly points to the larger themes of God's sovereignty even amidst inexplicable suffering and the profound value of life, even when it feels utterly unbearable.