a primitive root; to snatch away, i.e. terminate; consume, have an end, perish, [idiom] be utterly.
Transliteration:çûwph
Pronunciation:soof
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H5486}}` (çûwph) is a primitive root whose core meaning revolves around the concept of cessation, termination, and complete removal. Its primary sense is "to snatch away," implying a swift and definitive end, often with a connotation of finality. This leads to a semantic range that includes "to terminate," "to consume," "to have an end," and "to perish." The idiomatic use, "[be] utterly," further emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of the action, suggesting an absolute and irreversible conclusion. Unlike terms that might imply a gradual decay, `{{H5486}}` denotes a decisive and often abrupt end to existence or activity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H5486}}` appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, predominantly in the Niphal (passive/reflexive) and Piel (intensive) stems, underscoring the completeness of the action or the state of being consumed.
A significant cluster of occurrences is found in the Pentateuch, particularly in the context of the plagues in Egypt and the wilderness wanderings. For instance, in [[Exodus 7:18]], it describes the fish in the Nile perishing, and in [[Exodus 8:3]], the frogs dying. [[Numbers 17:13]] uses it to convey the consequence of unauthorized approach to the tabernacle: "everyone who comes near... shall perish." Here, it highlights the holiness of God and the danger of irreverence.
In prophetic literature, `{{H5486}}` frequently describes divine judgment and the complete destruction of nations or peoples due to their sin. [[Jeremiah 44:12]] and [[Jeremiah 44:27]] speak of the remnant of Judah in Egypt being "consumed" by sword and famine. Perhaps the most striking use is in [[Zephaniah 1:2-3]], where the prophet declares, "I will utterly consume all things from off the land... I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea." This passage vividly portrays a comprehensive, universal judgment, leaving nothing untouched. Similarly, [[Psalm 73:19]] describes the sudden and utter consumption of the wicked. In these instances, the word underscores the absolute power of God to bring about an end.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H5486}}` overlaps with several other Hebrew terms denoting destruction, completion, or an end:
* `{{H3615}}` (kalah): This is a very common word meaning "to complete," "to finish," "to bring to an end," but also "to consume" or "to perish." It often describes divine consumption or the finishing of a task, whether constructive or destructive. While `{{H5486}}` emphasizes the snatching away or perishing, `{{H3615}}` can also imply a full completion, including a complete destruction.
* `{{H6789}}` (tsamath): Meaning "to cut off," "to destroy," or "to put an end to," often focusing on the act of severance or eradication.
* `{{H7945}}` (shamad): A strong term meaning "to be annihilated," "to be exterminated," or "to be utterly destroyed," often used for the complete obliteration of peoples or idols. This term conveys an even more intense sense of utter destruction than `{{H5486}}`.
* Concepts such as divine wrath, judgment, mortality, transience, and the finality of an era are intrinsically linked to the meaning and usage of `{{H5486}}`.
### Theological Significance
The word `{{H5486}}` carries profound theological weight, primarily highlighting God's absolute sovereignty and His power to bring all things to their appointed end. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, illustrating that God's patience has limits and His justice ensures that wickedness will not endure indefinitely. The frequent use of `{{H5486}}` in contexts of divine judgment underscores the certainty and comprehensiveness of God's righteous wrath against rebellion, as seen in the plagues upon Egypt or the prophetic pronouncements against Judah and other nations.
Furthermore, `{{H5486}}` speaks to the inherent transience and fragility of human life and all earthly endeavors. Anything not rooted in God's eternal purposes is subject to perishing and consumption. This serves as a call to humility and a reorientation of priorities towards that which is eternal. While the word itself focuses on the negative aspect of an end, its theological implication can also be seen as clearing the way for God's redemptive purposes. The "consumption" of the old often precedes the establishment of the new, whether it be a new covenant, a new people, or a new creation.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H5486}}` (çûwph) powerfully conveys the concept of a complete cessation, a definitive end, or utter consumption. Its core meaning, "to snatch away" or "terminate," emphasizes finality, often sudden and comprehensive. Biblically, it is predominantly employed to describe divine judgment, the perishing of the wicked, the consumption of resources, or the end of a people or an era, as vividly illustrated in passages like [[Zephaniah 1:2-3]] and [[Jeremiah 44:12]]. It shares semantic space with other terms of destruction and completion, such as `{{H3615}}` (kalah) and `{{H7945}}` (shamad). Theologically, `{{H5486}}` underscores God's absolute sovereignty, His righteous judgment against sin, and the inherent transience of all earthly things that are not aligned with His eternal will. It serves as a potent reminder of ultimate accountability and the certainty of an end to all that stands in opposition to the divine order.
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