a primitive root; properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation); (cast, gather out, throw) stone(-s), [idiom] surely.
Transliteration:çâqal
Pronunciation:saw-kal'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb çâqal (`{{H5619}}`) is a primitive root with a fascinating semantic range, primarily revolving around the concept of "stones." Its most fundamental, though less common, underlying meaning is "to be weighty." However, its predominant usage in the biblical text is sharply bifurcated into two seemingly opposite actions: "lapidation" (the act of stoning or casting stones upon) and its contrary, "delapidation" (the act of removing or clearing away stones).
In the context of "lapidation," çâqal denotes the act of execution by stoning, a severe form of capital punishment. It implies the throwing or casting of stones, often by a community, to bring about death. This usage carries connotations of judgment, condemnation, and the purging of evil from the community.
Conversely, in the sense of "delapidation," the verb describes the laborious but constructive act of gathering out or clearing stones from a field, vineyard, or other plot of land. This application signifies preparation, cultivation, and the removal of obstacles to productivity and fruitfulness. The idiom "surely" or "certainly" (often translated as "surely stone him") can be understood as an intensifier, emphasizing the decisiveness and inevitability of the action, whether it be execution or thorough clearing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The dual nature of çâqal (`{{H5619}}`) is evident in its biblical occurrences, reflecting both destructive judgment and constructive preparation.
**1. Stoning (Lapidation):** This is the more frequent and prominent usage, appearing in legal and narrative contexts concerning capital punishment.
* In cases of blasphemy: The Law prescribed that one who blasphemed the name of the Lord should "surely be stoned" by the whole congregation, emphasizing communal responsibility for upholding divine honor ([[Leviticus 24:14]]).
* For Sabbath breaking: A man found gathering sticks on the Sabbath was commanded by the Lord to "surely be stoned to death" outside the camp, highlighting the sanctity of the Sabbath ([[Numbers 15:35]]).
* Idolatry and apostasy: Those who enticed others to serve foreign gods were to be "stoned with stones till he dies," underscoring the severity of disloyalty to Yahweh ([[Deuteronomy 13:10]]).
* Violation of the ban (herem): Achan and his family were "stoned with stones" for taking devoted things, illustrating the consequence of sin that defiled the community ([[Joshua 7:25]]).
* False witness and judicial murder: Jezebel orchestrated the stoning of Naboth on false charges of blasphemy and treason to seize his vineyard, revealing the perversion of justice ([[1 Kings 21:10]], [[1 Kings 21:13]]).
* Rebellion against God's appointed: Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest, was "stoned... by command of the king" in the court of the house of the Lord for prophesying against the people's transgression ([[2 Chronicles 24:21]]).
In these contexts, çâqal signifies a final, often communal, act of judgment to purge wickedness and maintain the purity and order of the covenant community.
**2. Removing Stones (Delapidation):** This usage appears primarily in agricultural contexts, particularly concerning vineyards.
* Preparing a vineyard: The prophet Isaiah uses çâqal to describe the work of clearing stones from a vineyard, a necessary step for cultivation and fruitfulness. "My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones" ([[Isaiah 5:2]]). This serves as a metaphor for God's diligent care for Israel and His expectation of fruit.
* Military strategy: The act of "casting stones" could also refer to destructive military tactics, where stones are thrown to fill up wells or render land unusable. This is seen when the king of Moab "stoned" the good parcels of land, making them useless for the invading army ([[2 Kings 3:19]], [[2 Kings 3:25]]). While destructive, it is still the act of manipulating stones on the land.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of çâqal (`{{H5619}}`) is enriched by considering its relationship to other Hebrew terms and broader biblical concepts.
* אֶבֶן (`{{H0068}}`, 'eben): This is the generic and most common Hebrew noun for "stone." While çâqal describes an action *involving* stones, 'eben refers to the object itself, whether used for building, marking, or as a weapon.
* רָגַם (`{{H7275}}`, ragam): This verb also means "to stone" or "to pelt with stones." It is often used synonymously with çâqal in contexts of capital punishment ([[Exodus 8:26]], [[Exodus 17:4]], [[1 Samuel 30:6]]). While both denote stoning, çâqal might emphasize the *act* of clearing/casting, whereas ragam might focus more on the *pelted* outcome. The two verbs frequently appear in parallel or interchangeable constructions.
* **Capital Punishment:** çâqal is central to the concept of divinely ordained capital punishment in ancient Israel, often alongside other methods like burning or execution by the sword.
* **Purity and Holiness:** The act of stoning was a means of purging evil and defilement from the community, thereby maintaining its holiness before God.
* **Agricultural Labor:** The "delapidation" sense connects çâqal to the essential work of preparing land for cultivation, symbolizing diligent effort and the expectation of fruit.
* **Divine Judgment:** Both the literal act of stoning and the metaphorical clearing of land can represent God's judgment – either destructive against sin or preparatory for blessing.
### Theological Significance
The dual semantic range of çâqal (`{{H5619}}`) carries profound theological significance, reflecting different facets of God's interaction with humanity and creation.
In its primary sense of **stoning (lapidation)**, çâqal underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine justice. Stoning was not merely a human punishment but a divinely prescribed means of upholding the covenant and purging wickedness from the community. It emphasized:
* **Communal Responsibility:** The act of stoning often involved the entire community, signifying their shared responsibility in upholding God's law and removing defilement. It was a visible, public act that reinforced moral boundaries.
* **Holiness of God:** The severity of stoning for offenses like blasphemy, idolatry, or Sabbath violation highlights God's absolute holiness and His intolerance for anything that desecrates His name or covenant.
* **Consequences of Sin:** It serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequence of rebellion against God – death and separation.
In its secondary sense of **removing stones (delapidation)**, çâqal speaks to God's diligent care and preparatory work:
* **Divine Cultivation:** The metaphor of clearing stones from a vineyard ([[Isaiah 5:2]]) illustrates God's painstaking efforts to prepare His people (Israel) to be fruitful. It speaks to His patience, labor, and desire for a harvest of righteousness.
* **Removal of Obstacles:** Just as stones impede agricultural growth, spiritual "stones" (sins, idols, hardness of heart) hinder spiritual fruitfulness. God, through His work, seeks to remove these obstacles.
* **Preparation for Blessing:** The act of clearing land is done in anticipation of a future harvest. Theologically, this points to God's preparatory work in individuals and communities, making them ready to receive His blessings and bear good fruit.
Thus, çâqal embodies both the rigorous justice of God that purges evil and the painstaking love of God that prepares His people for flourishing. It reveals a God who is both righteous Judge and diligent Cultivator.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb çâqal (`{{H5619}}`), while primitively rooted in the concept of "weightiness," is predominantly used in the Bible to describe actions involving stones. Its semantic range is notably bifid: on one hand, it denotes "lapidation" – the act of stoning, a severe form of capital punishment prescribed by Mosaic Law for various offenses such as blasphemy, idolatry, and Sabbath violation. This usage emphasizes communal justice, the purging of defilement, and the upholding of divine holiness. On the other hand, çâqal also signifies "delapidation" – the constructive act of removing or clearing stones from land, particularly vineyards. This application highlights diligent preparation, cultivation, and the removal of obstacles to productivity, often serving as a metaphor for God's meticulous care in preparing His people for spiritual fruitfulness. Whether executing judgment or preparing the ground for growth, çâqal consistently points to decisive action involving stones, reflecting both the righteous severity and the painstaking love of God in His dealings with humanity.
TRV