### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **nâthats**, represented by `{{H5422}}`, is a primitive root meaning **to tear down, beat down, break down, cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, or throw down**. It appears 42 times across 41 unique verses, consistently denoting a forceful and complete act of demolition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H5422}}` is used in several key contexts. It is frequently a divine command to Israel to purify the land of idolatry by destroying pagan sites of worship, such as the instruction to "destroy their altars" [[Exodus 34:13]] and "overthrow their altars" [[Deuteronomy 12:3]]. This command is carried out by figures like Gideon, who "cast down" the altar of Baal [[Judges 6:28]], and King Josiah, who "brake down the houses of the sodomites" [[2 Kings 23:7]]. The word also describes divine judgment, as when the Chaldeans "brake down the walls of Jerusalem" [[Jeremiah 39:8]] and in Jeremiah's prophetic commission to "pull down" kingdoms [[Jeremiah 1:10]]. On a personal level, Job uses the term to express his profound suffering, lamenting that God "hath destroyed me on every side" [[Job 19:10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand upon the concept of destruction and its opposite, creation:
* `{{H2040}}` **hâraç** (to pull down or in pieces): This term is often used alongside `{{H5422}}` to intensify the idea of total destruction, as seen in God's charge to Jeremiah to "pull down" and "throw down" [[Jeremiah 1:10]].
* `{{H7665}}` **shâbar** (to burst, break): This word often describes the breaking of specific objects in conjunction with the tearing down of structures. For example, Israel is commanded to destroy altars and "break their images" [[Exodus 34:13]].
* `{{H1129}}` **bânâh** (to build): As the direct antonym, this word is crucial for understanding the full scope of God's work. It is used in contrast to `{{H5422}}` to show that God's purpose is not just to destroy but also to restore and "to build, and to plant" [[Jeremiah 1:10]].
* `{{H5428}}` **nâthash** (to tear away, pluck up, root out): This word, used with `{{H5422}}`, emphasizes the complete removal of something from its foundation, whether it is a nation or a kingdom [[Jeremiah 18:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H5422}}` is significant, highlighting several core principles.
* **Covenant Purity:** The repeated command to tear down pagan altars and high places establishes a non-negotiable requirement for Israel's relationship with God. The physical act of destruction was a necessary expression of spiritual loyalty and the rejection of all other gods [[Judges 2:2]].
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The word is a stark reminder of God's authority to dismantle human institutions, whether they are the idolatrous altars of Baal or the very walls of Jerusalem [[Jeremiah 52:14]]. This destruction is often a direct consequence of disobedience and rebellion.
* **The Prelude to Restoration:** Tearing down is not always the final act. In the prophetic message, destruction often clears the ground for new creation. God's commission to Jeremiah to "pull down" is immediately followed by the charge "to build, and to plant" [[Jeremiah 1:10]], showing that judgment can pave the way for redemption [[Jeremiah 31:28]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5422}}` is more than a simple verb of destruction. It is a powerful term illustrating the forceful action required to remove corruption, execute divine judgment, and clear a path for divine restoration. From the command to tear down a single pagan altar to the overthrow of entire kingdoms, **nâthats** demonstrates God's absolute authority and the serious consequences of idolatry, while also pointing to the hope that what is torn down can be built anew by God's own hand.
TRV