### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **nâçach**, represented by `{{H5255}}`, is a primitive root that means **to tear away; destroy, pluck, root**. It appears **4 times** across **4 unique verses** in the Bible. This term consistently conveys a sense of forceful and complete removal, often as a direct result of divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H5255}}` describes the severe consequences of sin and covenant-breaking. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are warned that if they turn away from the LORD, they will be **plucked** from the land they are about to possess, reversing God's blessing [[Deuteronomy 28:63]]. The book of Proverbs uses the word to highlight the fate of the wicked; the LORD will **destroy** the house of the proud [[Proverbs 15:25]], and transgressors will be **rooted out** of the earth [[Proverbs 2:22]]. Similarly, in the Psalms, it is used in a declaration of judgment where God promises to **pluck** the wicked from their dwelling place [[Psalms 52:5]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words are used alongside `{{H5255}}` to underscore the theme of destruction and removal:
* `{{H5422}}` **nâthats** (to tear down): This word appears with `{{H5255}}` in [[Psalms 52:5]], emphasizing a complete dismantling. It is also used for actions like throwing down altars [[Exodus 34:13]] and breaking down the walls of Jerusalem [[Jeremiah 39:8]].
* `{{H8327}}` **shârash** (to root): Used in close parallel with `{{H5255}}`, this word intensifies the imagery of being uprooted. It appears in [[Psalms 52:5]] to describe being rooted out of the land of the living, contrasting with its positive use for Israel taking root and flourishing [[Isaiah 27:6]].
* `{{H3772}}` **kârath** (to cut (off, down or asunder)): This term is paired with `{{H5255}}` to describe how the wicked will be cut off from the earth [[Proverbs 2:22]]. While often used for judgment, it is also the primary verb for making a covenant, adding weight to its meaning when used for severance.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H5255}}` is centered on the finality of divine judgment.
* **Covenantal Consequence:** The word's use in [[Deuteronomy 28:63]] establishes it as a specific, severe penalty for unfaithfulness. Being "plucked" from the land is the ultimate reversal of the promised blessing of inheritance and security.
* **Judgment on Pride:** The term is explicitly linked to God's active opposition to the arrogant. The LORD himself will **destroy** the house of the proud, demonstrating that this uprooting is a direct divine response to human pride [[Proverbs 15:25]].
* **Total Removal:** The imagery of being plucked or rooted out signifies a complete and permanent separation. It is not merely a punishment but a final removal from one's dwelling, land, and security, as seen in [[Psalms 52:5]] and [[Proverbs 2:22]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5255}}` is a powerful and specific term for destruction that emphasizes a complete, forceful, and permanent removal. Though used sparingly, its context is consistently one of divine judgment against pride, transgression, and covenant-breaking. The word serves as a stark reminder of the biblical principle that opposition to God leads to being torn away from the sources of life and blessing.