a primitive root; to contract, i.e. roll together; cut off.
Transliteration:qâphad
Pronunciation:kaw-fad'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H7088}}` (qâphad) is a primitive root, carrying a dual semantic range. Its primary meaning encompasses the idea "to contract" or "to roll together," suggesting a movement inward, a tightening, or a coiling action. This aspect implies a reduction in size or scope, or perhaps an abrupt gathering. The second, yet closely related, meaning is "to cut off." This can signify a sharp severance, an abrupt termination, or a decisive division. The connection between these two facets likely lies in the concept of abruptness or sharpness; a sudden contraction might lead to a break, or a "cutting off" is a sharp, decisive action. Both meanings convey a sense of finality or a sudden change in state.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of `{{H7088}}` is rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in only two distinct contexts, both of which illuminate its multifaceted meaning.
1. **Isaiah 38:12**: In Hezekiah's lament, he cries, "My life is rolled up like a weaver's thread; he cuts me off from the loom; day and night you bring me to an end." Here, the verb is rendered "rolled up" (כָּפַף, *kāphaph*, often translated "rolled up" or "contracted"). The imagery is vivid: a weaver's thread, representing Hezekiah's life, is abruptly "cut off" (יְקַפֵּד, *yəqappēḏ*, from `{{H7088}}`) from the loom, signifying an untimely and decisive end. This usage strongly supports both the "contract" (as in rolling up) and "cut off" aspects of the root, emphasizing the sudden and final termination of life. The parallelism with "cuts me off" (from the same root) reinforces the idea of an abrupt severance.
2. **Job 41:30 (Hebrew 41:22)**: Describing the formidable Leviathan, the text states, "Under him are sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire." The word translated "sharp" or "jagged" (קְפַדָּה, *qəphaddâ*) is derived from `{{H7088}}`. This context highlights the quality of being incisive, pointed, or having a cutting edge. The Leviathan's undersides are described as being so hard and sharp that they leave an impression like a threshing sledge, which is designed to cut and separate grain. This usage leans into the "cut off" or "sharp" aspect of the root, describing a quality that can inflict damage or sever.
These two occurrences demonstrate the root's capacity to convey both the sudden ending of something (life in Isaiah) and the inherent sharpness or cutting quality of an object (Leviathan in Job).
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H7088}}` touches upon several related Hebrew words and concepts:
* **Words of Cutting/Severing:** `{{H3772}}` (כָּרַת, *karath*, "to cut, cut off, make a covenant"), `{{H1629}}` (גָּזַז, *gazaz*, "to shear, cut off"), `{{H6789}}` (צָמַת, *tsamath*, "to cut off, destroy"). These words share the common theme of termination or division, though `{{H7088}}` often carries an added nuance of abruptness or sharpness.
* **Words of Ending/Finishing:** Concepts related to the conclusion of life or a period, such as `{{H3615}}` (כָּלָה, *kalah*, "to complete, finish, consume").
* **Weaving Imagery:** The metaphor in [[Isaiah 38:12]] connects `{{H7088}}` to the ancient craft of weaving, where the cutting of a thread from the loom signifies the cessation of the work and the end of the thread's purpose. This imagery is a powerful symbol for the brevity and fragility of human life.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The use of the word in relation to God's actions (e.g., God cutting off Hezekiah's life) links it to broader theological concepts of divine control over life and death.
### Theological Significance
The rare but potent appearances of `{{H7088}}` carry significant theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty Over Life and Death:** In [[Isaiah 38:12]], God is depicted as the one who "cuts off" Hezekiah's life. This underscores the absolute sovereignty of God over human existence. Life is not an inherent right but a gift, and its duration is ultimately determined by the Creator. This emphasizes human fragility and dependence upon divine will.
* **The Fragility of Human Life:** Hezekiah's lament vividly portrays the vulnerability of human life, which can be abruptly terminated, much like a thread severed from a loom. This serves as a stark reminder of mortality and the brevity of earthly existence, prompting reflection on eternal matters.
* **The Formidable Nature of Creation:** In [[Job 41:30]], the application of a derivative of `{{H7088}}` to Leviathan highlights the awe-inspiring and often terrifying power embedded within God's creation. Even creatures can possess qualities of sharpness and destructive capability, testifying to the immense power of the One who made them. This reinforces the theme of God's unparalleled might, even over the most fearsome of His creatures.
* **Expression of Lament and Despair:** The use of `{{H7088}}` in Hezekiah's prayer expresses profound anguish and fear in the face of death. It captures the raw human emotion when confronted with an untimely end, appealing to God's mercy and intervention.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H7088}}` (qâphad) is a rare but impactful verb, primarily meaning "to contract, roll together" and "to cut off." Its limited biblical occurrences in [[Isaiah 38:12]] and [[Job 41:30]] powerfully illustrate its dual semantic range. In Isaiah, it describes the abrupt termination of life, likened to a weaver's thread being cut from the loom, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over human destiny and the inherent fragility of life. In Job, a derivative describes the "sharp" or "jagged" quality of Leviathan, pointing to the formidable and unyielding nature of God's creation. Theologically, `{{H7088}}` speaks to divine control over life and death, the brevity of human existence, and the awe-inspiring power manifest in creation, often eliciting expressions of lament and dependence upon God.
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