### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **nâmal**, represented by `{{H5243}}`, is a primitive root meaning to become clipped, cut down, cut off, or specifically, to circumcise. It is a rare term, appearing only **5 times** across **5 unique verses**, yet it carries significant weight in its two distinct applications: the fragility of life and the establishment of a covenant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H5243}}` primarily illustrates the transient nature of life and the fate of the wicked. Job uses it to describe humanity, which "cometh forth like a flower, and is **cut down**" [[Job 14:2]]. Similarly, the Psalmist declares that the wicked "shall soon be **cut down** like the grass" [[Psalms 37:2]]. This imagery of being "cut off" extends to the branches of the unrighteous [[Job 18:16]] and the tops of corn [[Job 24:24]]. In stark contrast, the word is also used in a foundational, literal sense for the command to **circumcise** the flesh as a sign of God's covenant [[Genesis 17:11]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which `{{H5243}}` is found:
* `{{H6731}}` **tsîyts** (flower): This word describes a bright-colored blossom. It is the object that is "cut down" `{{H5243}}` in Job's description of human frailty, highlighting the fleeting beauty of life [[Job 14:2]].
* `{{H2682}}` **châtsîyr** (grass): Defined as grass or hay, this term is used to depict that which is quickly "cut down" `{{H5243}}`, symbolizing the swift end of those who oppose God [[Psalms 37:2]].
* `{{H1320}}` **bâsâr** (flesh): Meaning flesh, body, or person, this word is the subject of the action in the covenantal use of `nâmal`. It is the "flesh" that is to be circumcised, marking a physical body with a spiritual promise [[Genesis 17:11]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H5243}}` is expressed through its two divergent meanings:
* **The Brevity of Life:** The word is repeatedly used in wisdom literature to emphasize that human existence is temporary. Like a flower or grass, a person can be "cut down" swiftly and without notice, a theme central to Job's lament [[Job 14:2]].
* **Divine Judgment:** Beyond general frailty, being "cut down" or "cut off" is depicted as an act of judgment against the wicked. Their prosperity is temporary, and their end is certain, like a branch being cut off from its roots [[Job 18:16]] or grass withering under the sun [[Psalms 37:2]].
* **The Covenantal Sign:** In Genesis, `nâmal` takes on a holy purpose. The act to "circumcise" `{{H5243}}` is not one of destruction but of dedication. It is a "cutting off" that separates a people for God, establishing a physical token of His everlasting covenant [[Genesis 17:11]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5243}}` is a powerful word with a dual focus. It serves as a stark reminder of mortality and divine judgment, portraying life as something easily and swiftly cut down. Simultaneously, it represents one of the most significant physical acts in the Old Testament: the cutting of the flesh to signify inclusion in God's covenant. This single root word encapsulates themes of both finality and belonging.
TRV