a primitive root; to clip, or (generally) chop; cut down, shorn.
Transliteration:qâtsab
Pronunciation:kaw-tsab'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root qâtsab (`{{H7094}}`) is a primitive verb, signifying a fundamental action of "cutting." Its semantic range extends from the more precise act of "clipping" or "shearing" to the more forceful and general actions of "chopping" or "cutting down." This breadth suggests a decisive action that results in separation, reduction, or shaping by means of severing. The nuance depends heavily on the object being cut and the context of the action. It implies a deliberate, often impactful, alteration of a physical form through division.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of qâtsab (`{{H7094}}`) in the Hebrew Bible, though few, offer distinct contextual insights into its usage:
* **[[2 Kings 6:6]]**: "And he *cut off* a stick and threw it in there..." In this narrative of Elisha and the lost axe head, the verb is used in the Piel stem, indicating a purposeful and immediate action of cutting a branch or stick. Here, qâtsab describes a practical, instrumental act, essential for the subsequent miracle.
* **[[Psalm 74:6]]**: "But now all its carved work they *break down* with axes and hammers." This verse laments the desecration and destruction of the temple by enemies. The Piel stem again emphasizes an intensive or repeated action, here referring to the violent "cutting down" or "breaking down" of the temple's intricate carvings. The context is one of devastation and sacrilege.
* **[[Habakkuk 2:11]]**: "For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the timbers will answer it." While translations vary, qâtsab here often implies the process of "hewing" or "cutting out" the timber from its original state. The verse speaks metaphorically of the very building materials testifying against the one who built his house through injustice. The action of cutting is thus linked to the origin and integrity of the materials themselves.
Across these contexts, qâtsab denotes a decisive act of severing or shaping, whether for practical use, destructive purposes, or the preparation of materials.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "cutting" is pervasive in the Hebrew Bible, often carrying significant implications. Related Hebrew words and concepts include:
* **`{{H1629}}` (gâzar)**: To cut off, divide, or determine. This word often carries a sense of finality or divine decree, as in cutting off a person from the community or determining a course of action.
* **`{{H3772}}` (kârat)**: To cut off, cut down, or make a covenant. This is a very common verb, used for cutting down trees, cutting off individuals, and crucially, for "cutting a covenant," referring to the ancient practice of dividing animals to seal an agreement.
* **`{{H2672}}` (chârats)**: To sharpen, decide, or cut. This verb can refer to sharpening a tool or making a decisive judgment, often with a sense of cutting through ambiguity.
* **`{{H1494}}` (gâzaz)**: To shear (sheep) or cut off (hair). This word specifically relates to the removal of wool or hair, aligning closely with the "shorn" aspect of qâtsab's definition.
* **Concepts**: Separation, division, destruction, shaping, judgment, and the alteration of physical forms.
### Theological Significance
While qâtsab (`{{H7094}}`) is not a primary theological term, its usage in specific biblical narratives illuminates broader theological principles:
* **Divine Provision and Intervention**: In the account of Elisha ([[2 Kings 6:6]]), the simple act of "cutting off a stick" is a human action that precedes and facilitates a divine miracle. It demonstrates that even mundane actions, when performed in obedience or within the sphere of God's work, can be integral to His providential care and miraculous intervention.
* **Consequences of Sin and Divine Judgment**: The violent "breaking down" of the temple's carved work ([[Psalm 74:6]]) vividly portrays the devastating effects of human sin and the subsequent divine allowance of judgment. The physical destruction wrought by enemies serves as a tangible symbol of spiritual desecration and the breaking of the covenant relationship. It underscores the severity of God's response to unfaithfulness.
* **Inescapable Justice**: In [[Habakkuk 2:11]], the "hewn" or "cut out" timber and stone crying out against injustice speaks to the pervasive nature of God's justice. Even inanimate objects, by their very origin and composition, bear witness to the integrity (or lack thereof) of human actions. This suggests that nothing is hidden from God's sight, and the consequences of unrighteousness are embedded even in the physical structures built upon it.
Thus, qâtsab subtly contributes to themes of God's active involvement in the world, the consequences of human actions, and the pervasive nature of divine justice.
### Summary
The Hebrew root qâtsab (`{{H7094}}`) is a primitive verb primarily meaning "to cut," encompassing a range of actions from "clipping" and "shearing" to more forceful "chopping" and "cutting down." Its biblical occurrences, though limited, reveal its application in diverse contexts: the practical cutting of a stick ([[2 Kings 6:6]]), the destructive breaking down of temple carvings ([[Psalm 74:6]]), and the precise hewing of timber for construction ([[Habakkuk 2:11]]). Theologically, qâtsab highlights the decisive nature of actions that alter or divide, often serving as a backdrop for themes of divine provision, the consequences of sin and judgment, and the pervasive reach of God's justice. It underscores that even seemingly simple physical acts can carry profound spiritual and ethical implications within the divine economy.
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