Word Study for H7059 (קָמַט) | Strong's Concordance

qâmaṭ /kaw-mat'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root

Meaningto pluck, i.e. destroy

KJV usagecut down, fill with wrinkles.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of qâmaṭ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word qâmaṭ, represented by H7059, is a primitive root with a dual meaning: "to pluck, i.e. destroy; cut down, fill with wrinkles." It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, both within the book of Job, where it describes forms of ruin and affliction.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H7059 illustrates two distinct forms of destruction. In Job 22:16, it is translated as "cut down," depicting wicked men whose lives are brought to a premature end and whose foundation is swept away by a flood. This usage emphasizes sudden, catastrophic judgment. Conversely, in Job 16:8, the word is rendered as "filled me with wrinkles," where Job laments his physical deterioration as a direct and visible witness to his suffering. His emaciation and wrinkles testify against him.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its contexts clarify the themes of destruction and testimony associated with H7059:

H3247 yᵉçôwd (foundation): This word, meaning "a foundation (literally or figuratively)," is used to describe what is destroyed when the wicked are "cut down" Job 22:16.
H3332 yâtsaq (overflown): Meaning "to pour out," this term describes the action of the flood that overwhelms the foundation of the wicked, linking H7059 to an unstoppable force Job 22:16.
H5707 ʻêd (witness): This term for a witness is used directly with H7059, showing how Job's wrinkles serve as tangible proof or testimony of his condition Job 16:8.
H3585 kachash (leanness): Defined as a "failure of flesh, i.e. emaciation," this word appears alongside "wrinkles" to paint a picture of physical decay and suffering Job 16:8.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7059 is concentrated within its appearances in Job, highlighting key aspects of suffering and judgment.

Sudden Judgment: The word's use as "cut down" points to the theme of divine judgment against the wicked, whose end can be swift and complete, like having their very foundation washed away Job 22:16.
Visible Suffering: In its sense of "filled with wrinkles," H7059 underscores that suffering is not just an internal state but can be a physical, observable reality that acts as a witness Job 16:8.
Human Frailty: Both uses of the word underscore the vulnerability of human life. Whether facing a sudden, external force like a flood or an internal, wasting affliction, the word captures the essence of being destroyed or worn away.

Summary

In summary, H7059 qâmaṭ is a potent and specific term for destruction. Though rare, its two uses powerfully contrast sudden, violent ruin with the slow, visible decay of the human body. It encapsulates themes of judgment, the testimony of suffering, and the fragile nature of human existence, making it a significant word within the dramatic dialogues of the book of Job.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

קֻמְּטוּ
תִּקְמְטֵ

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in Job — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.