a primitive root (identical with through the idea of severing oneself from (compare קוּט)); to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious; abhor, be distressed, be grieved, loathe, vex, be weary.
Transliteration:qûwts
Pronunciation:koots
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H6973 (קוּץ, *qûwts*) conveys a profound sense of aversion, ranging from intense disgust and loathing to deep weariness, distress, and anxiety. Its etymological connection to the idea of "severing oneself from" (as suggested by its similarity to קוּט) illuminates the core meaning: a strong emotional or physical reaction that causes one to withdraw from or reject something. The semantic range is quite broad, encompassing:
* **Abhorrence/Loathing:** A strong feeling of disgust or intense dislike, often moral or spiritual in nature.
* **Disgust:** A feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval.
* **Weariness/Vexation:** A state of being utterly tired of something, leading to impatience or irritation. This can be physical exhaustion or, more often, emotional/spiritual fatigue.
* **Distress/Grief:** A state of severe sorrow, suffering, or anguish, leading to a desire for cessation.
This word typically describes a negative response to an undesirable situation, person, or object, highlighting a profound sense of dissatisfaction or revulsion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H6973 provide rich insight into its nuanced meaning:
* In [[Numbers 21:5]], the people of Israel "loathed" (or "despised") the "light bread" (manna) provided by God in the wilderness. Here, *qûwts* expresses profound discontent and spiritual ingratitude, a weariness with God's miraculous provision, leading to rebellion.
* The book of Job frequently employs *qûwts* to describe Job's utter despair and weariness with life and his suffering. In [[Job 10:1]], Job declares, "My soul is weary of my life," conveying a deep existential distress and a longing for release from his affliction. Similarly, in [[Job 21:4]], Job states he is not complaining to man, but rather, "Is my complaint to man? And if it were, why should I not be impatient?" (or "why should I not be vexed/disgusted?"), indicating his profound frustration and vexation with his circumstances.
* In [[Psalm 95:10]], God states concerning the generation in the wilderness, "For forty years I was grieved with that generation." Here, *qûwts* describes God's divine weariness and holy displeasure with the persistent rebellion and unbelief of His people. It signifies a righteous indignation born out of their repeated provocations.
* Perhaps one of the most striking uses is in [[Zechariah 11:8]], where the Lord declares, "My soul loathed them, and their soul also loathed Me." This verse portrays a mutual abhorrence between God and His unfaithful flock (Israel), illustrating the ultimate breakdown of the covenant relationship due to Israel's apostasy and God's subsequent righteous judgment and withdrawal of favor.
* [[Proverbs 3:11]] uses *qûwts* in a wisdom context: "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline." Here, it warns against developing an aversion or loathing for the corrective measures God employs for our good.
Across these contexts, *qûwts* consistently denotes an intense negative reaction, whether it be human discontent leading to rebellion, human anguish in suffering, or divine displeasure in response to human sin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The definition itself points to a close relationship with the root קוּט (qûwṭ), which also signifies "to loathe" or "to be disgusted." This reinforces the core semantic field of aversion and revulsion.
Other related concepts and words, though not etymologically linked, share thematic overlap:
* **Aversion/Repugnance:** The general feeling of intense dislike.
* **Weariness/Exhaustion:** Both physical and emotional fatigue, particularly when it leads to a desire for things to cease.
* **Grief/Sorrow:** Deep emotional pain, often expressed as a burden.
* **Impatience/Vexation:** A state of irritation or frustration due to delay or annoyance.
* **Divine Displeasure/Wrath:** When God is the subject, H6973 can express His holy indignation and righteous judgment against sin, distinct from human emotional weakness.
* **Rebellion/Discontent:** When humans are the subject, *qûwts* often underscores a spirit of ingratitude, murmuring, or outright defiance against divine authority or provision.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6973 is profound, illuminating aspects of both human nature and divine character.
* **Humanity's Rebellion and Spiritual Apathy:** The word frequently highlights humanity's propensity for discontent and rebellion, even against God's direct provision and guidance. The "loathing" of manna ([[Numbers 21:5]]) is a powerful metaphor for spiritual apathy and a failure to appreciate divine grace. It underscores the severity of murmuring and the ease with which people can despise God's goodness, leading to judgment.
* **The Depth of Human Suffering:** In the book of Job, *qûwts* poignantly expresses the raw, unfiltered anguish of human suffering. Job's "weariness" of life ([[Job 10:1]]) is a testament to the profound despair that can grip even the righteous, revealing the depth of human vulnerability and the intensity of existential crisis.
* **God's Holy Displeasure and Patience:** When God is the subject, H6973 ([[Psalm 95:10]], [[Zechariah 11:8]]) reveals His righteous response to persistent sin. God's "grief" or "loathing" is not an emotional outburst akin to human weakness, but a holy and just reaction to covenant infidelity and rebellion. It underscores His long-suffering patience stretched to its limits, leading to a necessary withdrawal of His favor and the execution of judgment. The mutual "loathing" in Zechariah is a stark portrayal of a broken covenant, where both parties are alienated, but with the divine "loathing" being a righteous consequence of human sin.
* **The Importance of Accepting Discipline:** The use in Proverbs ([[Proverbs 3:11]]) emphasizes the theological truth that God's discipline, though painful, is for our good. To "despise" or "loathe" it is to reject God's loving, corrective hand.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6973 (קוּץ, *qûwts*) is a potent term signifying a strong aversion, encompassing disgust, loathing, weariness, and deep distress. It describes both human and divine reactions. In human contexts, it often reveals spiritual discontent, rebellion against God's provision, or profound anguish in suffering. When applied to God, it expresses His holy displeasure and righteous grief over persistent human sin and covenant infidelity, leading to a just and sorrowful withdrawal of His presence or favor. This word powerfully underscores the gravity of spiritual apathy and rebellion, and the profound consequences of a broken relationship with the Divine.
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