a primitive root; to pinch, i.e. (partially) to bite the lips, blink the eyes (as a gesture of malice), or (fully) to squeeze off (a piece of clay in order to mould a vessel from it); form, move, wink.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H7169}}` (qârats) is a primitive root carrying a dual semantic range, both distinct yet rooted in the fundamental action of "pinching" or "squeezing." Its primary denotations branch into two significant areas:
1. **Gesture of Malice or Deception:** This branch describes a subtle, non-verbal communication often indicative of ill intent, plotting, or deceit. It encompasses actions such as "biting the lips," "blinking the eyes," or "winking." These are covert signals used to convey a hidden message, often conspiratorial or malicious, avoiding overt verbal expression. The act of "pinching" here refers to the quick, deliberate contraction of facial muscles.
2. **Physical Act of Formation:** The second branch refers to the tangible action of "squeezing off" a piece of material, specifically clay, with the intent to "mould" or "form" a vessel. This sense speaks to the process of creation, shaping, and giving form to something from a raw substance. The "pinch" here is the initial separation and shaping of the material.
Thus, `{{H7169}}` spans from the subtle, often wicked, communication of the human heart to the foundational act of physical creation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H7169}}` in the Hebrew Bible are relatively few, yet they powerfully illustrate its dual meaning:
* **Proverbs 6:13**: "He winks with his eyes, he signals with his feet, he points with his fingers." Here, `{{H7169}}` is translated as "winks" and is part of a vivid description of a "worthless person, a wicked man" ([[Proverbs 6:12]]). The winking of the eye is presented as a deceptive, non-verbal cue used by one who plots evil, highlighting the subtlety and cunning of the wicked.
* **Proverbs 10:10**: "Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin." Again, `{{H7169}}` refers to "winking the eye," directly linking this action to the causation of trouble. This reinforces the association of `{{H7169}}` with malicious intent and the sowing of discord through covert means in the wisdom literature.
* **Proverbs 16:30**: "He who winks his eyes plans perverse things; he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass." This verse further solidifies the connection between the act of "winking" (`{{H7169}}`) and the internal plotting of "perverse things" (evil, twisted schemes). It underscores that even subtle physical gestures can betray a heart bent on wickedness.
* **Job 33:6**: "Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from the clay." In this profound statement by Elihu, `{{H7169}}` is used in its sense of "squeezing off" or "forming from clay." It serves as a powerful metaphor for human origin, emphasizing that Elihu, like Job, is a creature formed by God from the earth, highlighting human frailty, dependence, and commonality before the Creator. This is a stark contrast to the Proverbs usage, revealing the full breadth of the word's semantic range.
* **Isaiah 58:9**: "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness." While translations vary, `{{H7169}}` here is often interpreted as "winking" or "malicious gesturing," aligning with the Proverbs usage. It is listed among oppressive and wicked behaviors that God's people must abandon to truly experience His favor and presence.
These occurrences demonstrate `{{H7169}}`'s capacity to describe both the insidious nature of human deceit and the foundational reality of divine creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The two semantic fields of `{{H7169}}` connect it to different sets of related words and concepts:
* **For the "Malicious Gesture" Sense:**
* Words related to deceit and cunning: `{{H4849}}` (mirmāh - deceit, treachery), `{{H2154}}` (zimmāh - wicked plan, depravity).
* Concepts of plotting and conspiracy: The actions described by `{{H7169}}` are often part of a larger scheme to deceive or harm.
* Non-verbal communication: While `{{H7169}}` specifies a particular type of gesture, it falls under the broader category of communication that is not spoken, often used for covert purposes.
* **For the "Formation from Clay" Sense:**
* Words related to creation and formation: `{{H3335}}` (yātsar - to form, fashion, create, especially like a potter), `{{H6213}}` (āśāh - to make, do), `{{H1254}}` (bārā' - to create, often used for divine creation).
* The material of creation: `{{H2563}}` (ḥōmer - clay, mire, earth).
* The concept of humanity's origin: The biblical understanding that humanity was formed from the dust of the ground ([[Genesis 2:7]]) is a fundamental theological concept directly related to this sense of `{{H7169}}`.
### Theological Significance
The dual nature of `{{H7169}}` offers significant theological insights:
* **The Pervasiveness of Sin:** In its sense of malicious winking, `{{H7169}}` reveals that sin is not merely overt acts of rebellion but also manifests in subtle, hidden forms of communication and intent. The wisdom literature highlights how even a seemingly innocuous gesture can betray a heart full of wickedness and a mind engaged in perverse plotting. This underscores God's comprehensive knowledge, as He discerns not only actions but also the hidden motives and covert signals of the heart. It serves as a warning against all forms of deceit, emphasizing integrity even in one's non-verbal expressions.
* **Divine Sovereignty in Creation:** The usage of `{{H7169}}` in [[Job 33:6]] is profoundly theological. It portrays God as the ultimate Potter, actively "pinching off" and forming humanity from the clay. This emphasizes human dependence on the Creator, our inherent fragility, and our humble origin. It counters any notion of self-sufficiency or inherent human greatness apart from God's creative act. This imagery reinforces the biblical narrative of creation and the absolute authority of God over His handiwork.
* **Humanity's Dual Capacity:** The word `{{H7169}}` implicitly speaks to the dual capacity of humanity: capable of profound depravity and subtle malice, yet also utterly dependent upon and formed by the divine Creator. It encapsulates both the fallen nature that plots evil in secret and the created nature that owes its very existence to God's hands.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H7169}}` (qârats) is a rich and multifaceted term. At its core, it signifies "to pinch" or "to squeeze," but its semantic range expands into two distinct and theologically significant domains. Firstly, it describes a subtle, non-verbal gesture, such as "winking the eye" or "biting the lips," consistently associated with malice, deceit, and the plotting of wickedness in the wisdom literature (Proverbs, Isaiah). This usage highlights the insidious nature of sin, which can manifest even in covert communication. Secondly, `{{H7169}}` denotes the physical act of "squeezing off" or "forming" from clay, as seen in the book of Job, powerfully illustrating the divine act of creation and humanity's humble origin from the earth. This sense underscores God's sovereignty as the Creator and humanity's inherent dependence upon Him. Thus, {{H7169}}` encapsulates both the depth of human depravity in its most subtle expressions and the profound truth of humanity's formation by the hand of God.
TRV