The Hebrew word nitstsâb, represented by H5325, refers to a haft or handle. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The term is derived from a root meaning "fixed," describing the part of a tool or weapon that is set in place for gripping.
The singular use of H5325 occurs in the graphic account of Ehud assassinating King Eglon. In this narrative, the haft of the dagger also went into Eglon's belly after the blade, because the fat closed upon it, preventing Ehud from drawing the weapon back out Judges 3:22. This vivid detail emphasizes the totality of the fatal blow.
Several words within its only context illuminate the meaning of H5325:
- H2719 chereb (axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool): This is the weapon to which the haft is attached. In its sole appearance with H5325, it is a dagger Judges 3:22. The word is used throughout scripture to represent instruments of war 1 Samuel 17:45 and divine judgment Zechariah 13:7.
- H3851 lahab (blade, bright, flame, glittering): This word describes the cutting part of the weapon. It is used to describe a polished weapon blade Nahum 3:3 and figuratively as a flame of divine, devouring fire Isaiah 66:15.
- H990 beṭen (belly, body, as they be born, within, womb): This is the target of the weapon. While it denotes Eglon's belly in this passage Judges 3:22, it is more frequently used to refer to the womb, the source of life and divine formation (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalms 139:13).
While H5325 appears only once in a descriptive, physical account, its context points toward themes of consequence and finality.
- Irrevocable Action: The description of the haft entering the belly so that the dagger H2719 could not be drawn out Judges 3:22 illustrates an irreversible and total act. The weapon is entirely consumed by its target, signifying an action with absolute finality.
- The Physicality of Judgment: The passage's graphic detail, including the haft, the fat H2459, and the blade H3851, grounds the concept of judgment in a stark physical reality. The word for the weapon, chereb H2719, is elsewhere used for God's sword of judgment Isaiah 27:1, and this passage provides a visceral image of what such an act entails.
- Descriptive Specificity: The inclusion of H5325 serves to emphasize the depth of the wound and the force of the blow. It is a detail that highlights not just the act itself, but the completeness of the weapon's submersion, leaving no part visible or retrievable.
In summary, H5325 is a highly specific term for a haft or handle, used only once in scripture. Its significance comes not from broad theological application, but from its powerful role in a single, memorable narrative. By describing the haft also entering the body, the text underscores the force and finality of the fatal blow in Judges 3:22. It serves as a prime example of how a simple, concrete noun can contribute to the vividness and impact of a biblical account, adding a layer of physical detail that makes the event unforgettable.
TRV