a primitive root to inflame; to inflame; burn, kindle.
Transliteration:qâdach
Pronunciation:kaw-dakh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root qâdach (`{{H6919}}`) is a primitive root primarily meaning "to inflame," "to burn," or "to kindle." Its core semantic range is narrow, focusing on the initiation or active setting alight of a fire. It implies the act of causing something to glow with heat or to burst into flame. Unlike verbs that describe the state of burning or consuming, qâdach emphasizes the dynamic action of igniting. It can be applied literally to physical fire or metaphorically to intense emotions like anger.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root qâdach (`{{H6919}}`) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, making each instance particularly impactful.
* **[[Deuteronomy 32:22]]**: "For a fire is kindled in my anger, and shall burn to the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains."
* Here, qâdach is translated as "kindled" and is directly linked to God's divine anger. The verse portrays God's wrath as a consuming fire, actively and deliberately ignited. The act of "kindling" emphasizes the intentionality and destructive power of this divine judgment, highlighting its comprehensive and inescapable nature, reaching from the depths of Sheol to the very foundations of the mountains.
* **[[Isaiah 50:11]]**: "Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow."
* In this prophetic warning, qâdach again appears as "kindle," but this time it describes human action. The passage condemns those who rely on their own self-made "fire" or "sparks" rather than the divine light and guidance of God. The repeated use of the verb underscores the deliberate nature of their self-reliance and rebellion. The consequence—lying down in sorrow—reveals the futility and ultimate darkness of human efforts when divorced from divine truth.
In both contexts, qâdach signifies the active initiation of a burning process, whether divine judgment or human folly, with profound and often negative consequences.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of qâdach (`{{H6919}}`) is closely related to several other biblical concepts and words:
* **Fire (אֵשׁ, `{{H784}}`)**: qâdach is the verb that describes the act of igniting `{{H784}}`. The concept of fire itself, as a symbol of purification, judgment, or divine presence, is fundamental to understanding qâdach.
* **Burning/Consuming (בָּעַר, `{{H1197}}`; יָקַד, `{{H3344}}`)**: While qâdach focuses on the *initiation* of a fire, verbs like `{{H1197}}` (to burn, consume) or `{{H3344}}` (to burn, be kindled, glow) often describe the ongoing state or effect of the burning. qâdach sets the process in motion.
* **Wrath/Anger (אַף, `{{H639}}`; חֵמָה, `{{H2534}}`)**: In [[Deuteronomy 32:22]], qâdach is directly linked to divine anger (אַף), illustrating how God's righteous indignation can be metaphorically "kindled" into a consuming force.
* **Light and Darkness**: In [[Isaiah 50:11]], the "fire" and "sparks" kindled by humans stand in stark contrast to the true divine light, highlighting the theological tension between self-derived wisdom and God-given revelation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of qâdach (`{{H6919}}`) lies in its portrayal of purposeful initiation, particularly regarding divine action and human responsibility.
When applied to God, as in [[Deuteronomy 32:22]], the "kindling" of His anger emphasizes His active and deliberate engagement in judgment. It underscores that divine wrath is not a passive reaction but a righteous, intentional unleashing of His holiness against sin. This speaks to God's absolute justice and His unwavering commitment to upholding His moral order. The consuming nature of this "kindled" fire signifies the totality and severity of His judgment.
When applied to humanity, as in [[Isaiah 50:11]], qâdach highlights the perilous nature of human autonomy and self-reliance apart from God. To "kindle one's own fire" is to reject God's true light and wisdom, choosing instead to walk in the deceptive and ultimately destructive glow of self-made solutions. This warns against spiritual pride and the futility of human endeavors that do not align with divine truth, leading inevitably to sorrow and spiritual darkness. The word thus serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of both divine action and human choice.
### Summary
The Hebrew root qâdach (`{{H6919}}`) signifies the active process of "inflaming," "burning," or "kindling." Though infrequent in the biblical text, its occurrences are profoundly significant. In [[Deuteronomy 32:22]], it describes the deliberate and consuming "kindling" of God's anger, illustrating the intentionality and destructive power of divine judgment. In [[Isaiah 50:11]], it portrays human self-reliance as the act of "kindling" one's own deceptive light, leading to sorrow and futility when divorced from God's truth. Across its uses, qâdach consistently emphasizes the decisive and consequential initiation of a fiery process, whether it be the unleashing of divine wrath or the perilous path of human autonomy.
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