a primitive root; to clip off; used only as denominative from קַיִץ; to spend the harvest season; summer.
Transliteration:qûwts
Pronunciation:koots
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb קוּץ (qûwts) `{{H6972}}` is a primitive root primarily defined as "to clip off." However, its usage in the biblical text is exclusively as a denominative verb derived from the noun קַיִץ (qayiṣ) `{{H7019}}`, which signifies "summer" or "summer fruit/harvest." Consequently, קוּץ takes on the specialized meaning "to spend the harvest season" or "to summer." This derivation from an agricultural term firmly roots its semantic range within the cyclical rhythms of the natural world, specifically the period of fruitfulness and harvest.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb קוּץ (qûwts) `{{H6972}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Jeremiah 8:20]]. The verse reads: "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." Here, the form is קָץ (qāṣ), the Qal perfect, third person masculine singular, meaning "it has summered" or "the summer is over."
In this poignant lament by the prophet Jeremiah, the "summer" (or "harvest season") serves as a powerful metaphor for a period of anticipated deliverance or salvation. The preceding phrase, "the harvest is past" (קָצִיר עָבַר - qāṣîr ʿāḇar), reinforces the agricultural imagery. The people of Judah had evidently waited, perhaps for divine intervention or a turning point, but that opportune season has now irrevocably passed without the hoped-for salvation. The verse underscores a profound sense of missed opportunity, despair, and the realization that a critical window for repentance or rescue has closed, leading to an inevitable judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the noun קַיִץ (qayiṣ) `{{H7019}}`, meaning "summer" or "summer fruit." This noun is the etymological root from which the verb קוּץ `{{H6972}}` is denominatively formed. Understanding קַיִץ as a time of ripeness, harvest, and the culmination of a growth cycle is crucial for grasping the full implications of קוּץ.
Other related concepts include:
* **Time and Season:** The idea of עֵת (ʿēt) `{{H6256}}` or זְמַן (zᵉman) `{{H2166}}` – appointed or opportune times, contrasting with periods of delay or closure.
* **Harvest Imagery:** Frequently used in biblical prophecy to denote judgment or the gathering of people, either for salvation or destruction (e.g., [[Joel 3:13]], [[Matthew 13:39]]).
* **Divine Patience and Judgment:** The passing of the "summer" implies a period of divine patience that has now ended, giving way to the consequences of unheeded warnings and unrepentant hearts.
* **Lament and Despair:** The context in Jeremiah highlights the emotional and spiritual anguish associated with missed opportunities for salvation.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, קוּץ (qûwts) `{{H6972}}` carries significant theological weight, primarily within the context of divine timing and human responsibility. In [[Jeremiah 8:20]], the "summer" functions as a *kairos* moment—an appointed, critical time when salvation was possible. The declaration "the summer is ended" signifies the culmination of God's patience and the closure of the window for Judah's repentance and deliverance.
This verse powerfully conveys the principle that opportunities for salvation, though graciously extended by God, are not indefinite. There is a season for turning to God, and when that season passes without a response, the consequences are dire. The lament "and we are not saved" is not merely a statement of fact but an expression of profound spiritual despair, reflecting the tragic outcome of spiritual apathy and rebellion.
Theological implications extend to:
* **Sovereignty of God over Time:** God orchestrates seasons, both natural and spiritual, and His timing is ultimate.
* **Urgency of Repentance:** The passing of the "summer" serves as a stark warning against procrastination in spiritual matters.
* **Consequences of Rejection:** It illustrates the inevitable judgment that follows persistent rejection of God's overtures.
* **The Nature of Prophetic Lament:** Jeremiah's use of this imagery underscores the prophet's agony over his people's spiritual blindness and their impending doom.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb קוּץ (qûwts) `{{H6972}}`, derived from the noun קַיִץ (qayiṣ) `{{H7019}}` meaning "summer" or "harvest," signifies "to spend the harvest season" or "to summer." Its singular, yet profoundly impactful, appearance in [[Jeremiah 8:20]] uses the passing of "summer" as a powerful metaphor for a missed divine opportunity for salvation. This verse underscores the critical importance of divine timing (kairos), the finite nature of God's patience, and the dire consequences of human spiritual apathy and unrepentance. It serves as a somber reminder that while God graciously extends opportunities for deliverance, there is an ultimate end to such seasons, leading to inevitable judgment for those who fail to respond.
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