(Aramaic) corresponding to עָקַר; {to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate}; pluck up by the roots.
Transliteration:ʻăqar
Pronunciation:ak-ar'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb H6132 (עֲקַר, ʻăqar) carries the primary meaning of "to pluck up by the roots" or "to uproot." This conveys a sense of complete and thorough removal, emphasizing the destruction of the very foundation or source of something. Its semantic range extends beyond literal botanical uprooting to encompass more severe and impactful actions:
* **Literal Removal:** To pull something out completely from its embedded position, as in a timber from a house.
* **Physical Incapacitation:** To "hamstring," specifically referring to the severing of tendons in an animal's leg to render it lame and useless, often in a military context to disable captured horses. This implies a forceful and incapacitating act.
* **Figurative Extermination/Overthrow:** To utterly destroy, abolish, or remove a people, a kingdom, or an established entity. This usage highlights a decisive and often violent eradication, leaving no trace or possibility of recovery.
As an Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew `{{H6131}}` (עָקַר), H6132 shares a similar conceptual breadth, pointing to acts of fundamental disruption, judgment, and irreversible destruction. The emphasis is on the totality of the removal, leaving nothing behind.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic verb H6132 appears twice in the Old Testament, both in books containing significant Aramaic portions: Ezra and Daniel. Each instance powerfully illustrates the verb's core meaning of decisive and forceful removal.
* **[[Ezra 6:11]]**: In this passage, King Darius issues a decree concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. He pronounces a severe judgment against anyone who would alter his edict: "Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a timber shall be plucked up from his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill for this." Here, H6132 describes the violent removal of a timber from a house. This is not a gentle dismantling but a forceful tearing out, emphasizing the severity and public nature of the punishment. The act of "plucking up" the timber signifies the complete destruction of the offender's dwelling and, by extension, their lineage and standing. The punishment is designed to be a deterrent, demonstrating the king's absolute authority and the irreversible consequences of disobedience.
* **[[Daniel 7:8]]**: This verse is part of Daniel's vision of the four beasts, symbolizing successive world empires. Describing the fourth beast, Daniel states: "While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts." Here, H6132 describes the violent overthrow and removal of three existing powers (represented by horns) by a new, emerging power (the "little horn"). The phrase "plucked up by the roots" underscores the complete and utter destruction or subjugation of these kingdoms, leaving no possibility of their resurgence. It signifies a decisive usurpation of authority and a forceful eradication of established entities, highlighting the violent nature of political transitions and the rise of oppressive powers in human history, all within the framework of divine prophecy.
In both contexts, H6132 denotes a forceful, definitive, and often destructive act of removal, whether of a physical object as a punitive measure or of political entities in a prophetic vision.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Aramaic H6132 is closely related to and shares semantic range with several Hebrew terms, reflecting a common linguistic heritage and conceptual framework:
* **`{{H6131}}` (עָקַר, ʻāqar):** This is the direct Hebrew counterpart to H6132. H6131 carries the same core meanings of "to pluck up by the roots," "to hamstring," and "to exterminate." It is also used to describe barrenness (e.g., [[Genesis 20:18]] where God "closed up" wombs). The shared root emphasizes the idea of rendering something unproductive or completely removing its capacity to function or reproduce.
* **`{{H5428}}` (נָתַשׁ, nāthaš):** Meaning "to pluck up," "to root out," or "to uproot," this Hebrew verb is frequently used in prophetic contexts for the removal or displacement of nations and peoples from their land, often as an act of divine judgment (e.g., [[Jeremiah 1:10]], [[Amos 9:15]]). It strongly parallels the "exterminate" and "overthrow" aspects of H6132.
* **`{{H7843}}` (שָׁחַת, shāḥath):** "To destroy," "to ruin," "to corrupt." While broader than H6132, it encompasses the destructive outcome implied by "plucking up by the roots."
* **`{{H2040}}` (הָרַס, hāras):** "To tear down," "to break down," "to demolish." This verb describes the dismantling of structures, similar to the physical destruction implied by H6132 in [[Ezra 6:11]].
Conceptually, H6132 is linked to themes of:
* **Judgment and Punishment:** The consequence of transgression, leading to severe and irreversible penalties.
* **Desolation and Ruin:** The state left behind after something has been utterly destroyed or removed.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** Especially in Daniel, the ultimate control of God over the rise and fall of earthly powers.
* **Usurpation and Overthrow:** The violent seizure of power and the eradication of existing authorities.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6132 lies in its portrayal of decisive, often violent, and irreversible action, whether enacted by human authority or as part of a divine prophetic plan.
1. **The Authority of Decrees and Divine Order:** In [[Ezra 6:11]], the "plucking up" of a timber serves as a vivid symbol of the absolute authority of the king's decree. While a human decree, it operates within a biblical worldview where earthly rulers derive their authority from God. The severe consequence underscores the sanctity of established order and the dire results of rebellion against it. This can be seen as a reflection of God's own unalterable decrees and the certainty of His judgments.
2. **Divine Sovereignty Over Nations:** The use of H6132 in [[Daniel 7:8]] is particularly profound. The "plucking up by the roots" of kingdoms before the "little horn" is part of a divinely revealed vision of future events. It signifies that even the most powerful earthly empires are subject to a higher power. God orchestrates the rise and fall of nations, "uprooting" some and establishing others according to His sovereign will and purposes. This provides comfort and assurance to God's people amidst geopolitical turmoil, knowing that God remains in control.
3. **The Finality of Judgment:** The phrase "plucked up by the roots" inherently conveys finality. What is uprooted completely cannot easily regrow or return. This speaks to the severity and permanence of certain judgments, whether judicial (Ezra) or eschatological (Daniel). It implies that when God or His appointed agents act to remove something, the action is thorough and its consequences lasting. This can be a terrifying prospect for those who oppose God, but a source of hope for those awaiting the eradication of evil.
4. **The Nature of Evil's Destruction:** In Daniel, the "little horn" itself is eventually "broken without hand" ([[Daniel 8:25]]), implying that the power that plucks up others will itself be plucked up by a divine, irresistible force. This highlights the ultimate triumph of God's justice and the complete eradication of evil from His kingdom.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb H6132 (עֲקַר, ʻăqar) fundamentally signifies a complete and forceful act of removal, "to pluck up by the roots." This core meaning extends to literal physical destruction, the incapacitation of living beings (hamstringing), and the figurative extermination or overthrow of entities such as kingdoms or lineages. Its two biblical occurrences powerfully illustrate this semantic range: in [[Ezra 6:11]], it describes the violent tearing out of a timber as a severe judicial punishment, symbolizing utter ruin. In [[Daniel 7:8]], it depicts the decisive and violent overthrow of established powers by a new, emerging force within a prophetic vision of world empires.
Theologically, H6132 underscores the finality and irreversibility of judgment, whether enacted by human authority (reflecting divine principles) or directly by God in His sovereign control over history. It speaks to the absolute nature of consequences for rebellion and the ultimate certainty of God's plan, which includes the uprooting of all that opposes His will. This word, though appearing sparingly, carries significant weight, conveying the profound and often destructive power at play in the unfolding of biblical narrative and prophecy.
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