### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **çâkan**, represented by `{{H5533}}`, conveys a state of being damaged, impoverished, or placed in danger. Its base definition is to cut or damage, which extends to meanings of becoming poor or being endangered. It appears only **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, highlighting its specific applications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two uses of `{{H5533}}` illustrate its distinct but related meanings. In Ecclesiastes, it describes a direct physical risk, where one who cleaves wood "shall be **endangered** thereby" [[Ecclesiastes 10:9]], linking the word to the consequences of labor. In Isaiah, it describes a state of extreme poverty, where an individual is so **impoverished** that they cannot afford a proper oblation and must resort to lesser materials for an idol [[Isaiah 40:20]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the situations where `{{H5533}}` is used:
* `{{H5534}}` **çâkar**: Defined as a primitive root meaning to shut up, surrender, stop, or give over. This word appears alongside `{{H5533}}` in [[Isaiah 40:20]]. It is also used to describe how the mouth of those who speak lies "shall be **stopped**" [[Psalms 63:11]].
* `{{H6086}}` **ʻêts**: This word for **tree** or wood is central to both occurrences of `{{H5533}}`. In [[Isaiah 40:20]], an impoverished man chooses a **tree** to make an idol, and in [[Ecclesiastes 10:9]], a man is endangered while cleaving **wood**. The term also carries significant symbolic weight, as seen in the "tree of life" [[Proverbs 13:12]].
### Theological Significance
The conceptual significance of `{{H5533}}` lies in its portrayal of vulnerability and consequence.
* **Physical Peril:** The word establishes a clear link between an action and its potential for harm. In the context of daily work, such as cleaving wood, there is an inherent risk of being **endangered** [[Ecclesiastes 10:9]].
* **Economic Hardship:** `{{H5533}}` is used to depict a state of being so **impoverished** that it impacts one's ability to worship correctly. This financial lack forces a person to make compromised choices, such as using a cheap piece of wood for a graven image when a formal oblation is out of reach [[Isaiah 40:20]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5533}}` is a specific and rare term that powerfully illustrates concepts of risk and scarcity. While used infrequently, its appearances in scripture highlight both the physical dangers present in the world and the spiritual compromises that can arise from a state of impoverishment. It demonstrates how a single term can encompass both immediate, tangible danger and a debilitating lack of resources.
TRV