The Hebrew word çêpheq, represented by H5607, carries a dual meaning of chastisement or stroke, and also satiety or sufficiency. It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible. This duality highlights contrasting themes of divine judgment and the limits of material abundance.
The two appearances of H5607 in the book of Job showcase its distinct meanings. In one context, it serves as a warning against divine judgment, cautioning that God may take someone away with his stroke, a punishment that even a "great ransom" cannot prevent Job 36:18. Conversely, it is used to describe the ironic fate of the wicked, where "in the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits" Job 20:22, illustrating that complete material satisfaction can paradoxically lead to distress.
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H5607 is found:
- H2534 chêmâh (heat; figuratively, anger, poison... wrath): This word for wrath is directly linked to the "stroke" of H5607 in Job 36:18. It often describes divine fury that demands justice Nahum 1:2 or human anger that requires calming Proverbs 15:1.
- H4390 mâlêʼ (to fill or be full of... replenish, satisfy): This term for fullness or sufficiency is used alongside H5607 in Job 20:22. It can refer to God's command to replenish the earth Genesis 1:28 or the promise that the earth will be filled with His glory Habakkuk 2:14.
- H3334 yâtsar (to press... be narrow; figuratively, be in distress): This word describes the outcome for the person who has reached their sufficiency in Job 20:22, showing they will be in straits. It depicts a state of great trouble or anguish, as when David was "greatly distressed" 1 Samuel 30:6.
The theological weight of H5607 is centered on themes of judgment and the nature of prosperity.
- Irreversible Divine Judgment: The "stroke" in Job 36:18 is presented as a final, unavoidable consequence of wrath. The verse emphasizes that no ransom H3724 is great enough to deliver a person from this chastisement, highlighting the supremacy of divine justice over human attempts at satisfaction.
- The Precariousness of Worldly Sufficiency: The use of H5607 in Job 20:22 serves as a wisdom teaching on the instability of wealth. It suggests that for the wicked, the peak of abundance is the very point where downfall begins, leading from sufficiency to being in straits H3334.
- A Call to Beware: Both uses of the word are found within warnings. Elihu warns Job to beware of the stroke of wrath Job 36:18, while Zophar's speech describes the fate of the wicked as a warning against unrighteousness Job 20:22.
In summary, H5607 is a concise yet powerful word with a dual focus. Though appearing only twice, it effectively communicates two significant biblical concepts: the inescapable nature of divine chastisement and the fragile, often paradoxical, nature of worldly abundance. It demonstrates how a moment of sufficiency can turn to distress, and how a stroke of judgment cannot be bought off, framing a perspective where true security is found outside of material wealth.
TRV