נָפַץ

nâphats /naw-fats'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto dash to pieces, or scatter
KJV usagebe beaten in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread, scatter.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word nâphats, represented by H5310, is a primitive root meaning to dash to pieces, or scatter. It appears 22 times in 17 verses, conveying concepts of violent destruction, breaking, dispersal, and widespread distribution. Its usage ranges from the physical act of shattering an object to the strategic scattering of armies and nations.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H5310 is frequently used to depict acts of divine judgment and warfare. God is portrayed as the one who will dash the rebellious in pieces like a potter's vessel Psalms 2:9. In Jeremiah, God declares He will dash fathers and sons against each other Jeremiah 13:14 and uses a chosen instrument as a battle axe to break in pieces nations and kingdoms Jeremiah 51:20. The term also describes the dispersion of people, such as when Saul's army was scattered 1 Samuel 13:11 or in the promise to gather the dispersed of Judah Isaiah 11:12. In a non-violent context, it is used to describe how the whole earth was overspread by the sons of Noah Genesis 9:19.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of breaking and scattering:

  • H7489 râʻaʻ (to spoil by breaking to pieces): This word is used in parallel with H5310 to describe the complete destruction of enemies, as in the command to break them with a rod of iron Psalms 2:9.
  • H7843 shâchath (to ruin or destroy): This term often appears as the result of being broken in pieces. God's "battle axe" is used to break in pieces H5310 nations and to destroy H7843 kingdoms Jeremiah 51:20.
  • H5074 nâdad (to flee or drive away): This word describes the reaction to the action of H5310. When God acts in power, nations are scattered H5310 and people fled H5074 from the tumult Isaiah 33:3.
  • H2904 ṭûwl (to cast down or out): This connects the idea of being broken with being exiled. A "broken" H5310 idol is cast H2904 into a foreign land Jeremiah 22:28.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5310 is primarily linked to divine sovereignty and judgment.

  • Instrument of Divine Will: God uses nations and individuals as instruments to break in pieces other kingdoms, demonstrating His ultimate authority over world powers Jeremiah 51:20. This is vividly illustrated by the title "battle axe" H4661.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The scattering H5310 of God's people is a key element in prophecy. The fulfillment of all things in Daniel's vision is tied to the time when God will have "accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people" Daniel 12:7.
  • Purification and Judgment: The act of being "beaten in sunder" is connected to the purging of iniquity H5771. The destruction of pagan altars signifies the removal of sin from Jacob Isaiah 27:9.

Summary

In summary, H5310 is a dynamic term that encapsulates both violent fragmentation and wide dispersal. It is used to describe everything from Gideon's army breaking pitchers Judges 7:19 to God's judgment that dashes nations Psalms 2:9. Whether depicting the shattering of an idol, the scattering of an army, or the overspreading of humanity across the earth, nâphats consistently illustrates the execution of a powerful force that results in breaking apart or spreading out.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 22 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 11×
  • Niphal Participle Plural Feminine Construct 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Piel Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Pual Participle Passive Plural Feminine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 17 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Jeremiah (7 verses).

1
Genesis
1
Judges
1
1 Samuel
1
1 Kings
2
Psalms
3
Isaiah
7
Jeremiah
1
Daniel

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