Lexical Summary hathath: Terror, destruction Original Word: הָתַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance imagine mischief A primitive root; properly, to break in upon, i.e. To assail -- imagine mischief. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as huth, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs [הוּת] verb shout at, si vera l. (Arabic  with  shout at, threaten, dialect. for  , compare De Psalm 62:4 who camp. Damascene  rush upon one with cries and raised fist, compare further Wetzst in De; so MV SS: Thes and others assign to [התת], attack; text dubious) — only Po. Imperfect תְּהוֺתֲתוּ עַלאִֿישׁ Psalm 62:4; but Hup Che read תְּהוֺלֲלוּ be frantic against, compare Psalm 102:9. התת √ of תְּהוֺתֲתוּ Psalm 62:4 according to Thes and others, but see הות. Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Semantic FocusStrong’s Hebrew 2050 הָתַת conveys the act of battering, casting down, or breaking through a structure so that it collapses. It evokes a deliberate, forceful toppling rather than a gentle decay, stressing the aggressor’s intent to reduce something upright to ruins. The term therefore carries connotations of violence and finality, a conscious assault aimed at the complete removal of stability. Literary Setting in Psalm 62 The single biblical occurrence stands in Psalm 62:3, a composition of David in which he contrasts human hostility with unwavering trust in God. The psalmist addresses unnamed adversaries: “How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?” (Psalm 62:3) The verb translated “throw…down” is הָתַת. The image is vivid: conspirators converge upon a wall already listing and a fence already shaky, intent on delivering the decisive blow. David’s portrayal of himself as that frail structure highlights the enemies’ ruthlessness and the precariousness of his position apart from divine protection. By choosing this verb, the psalm accents malice: they are not merely waiting for collapse but are committed to hastening it. Historical and Cultural Background Psalm 62 is commonly associated with seasons of political intrigue in David’s life—either Saul’s persecution or Absalom’s rebellion. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, battering down fortifications signaled conquest; siege engines or rams would pound city walls until they caved. Applying such imagery to personal persecution indicates that David viewed slander, betrayal, and plots as spiritual siegecraft. He perceived himself as a bulwark being undermined, yet he recognized that ultimate security resided not in masonry or alliances but in the covenant God (Psalm 62:6–7). Theological Themes 1. Human Aggression versus Divine Refuge הָתַת underscores the difference between man’s destructive capability and God’s preserving power. The psalmist can acknowledge real danger without surrendering to it, because salvation belongs to the Lord (Psalm 62:1, 7). 2. The Illusion of Invincibility The enemies assume that a tilting wall can be toppled with ease. Scripture consistently exposes the shortsightedness of such self-confidence (see Proverbs 21:30; Isaiah 54:17). David’s survival demonstrates that any apparent weakness in the righteous can become a stage for divine strength. 3. Integrity under Pressure David’s use of הָתַת illustrates the ethical dimension of trust. Though plotted against, he refuses to retaliate in kind, choosing silence before God (Psalm 62:1, 5). His example anticipates New Testament exhortations to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Practical Ministry Implications • Pastoral Care Believers who feel battered—emotionally, socially, or spiritually—can identify with the “leaning wall.” Ministers may guide them to the psalm’s refrain: “He alone is my rock and my salvation” (Psalm 62:2), encouraging dependence on the immutable character of God rather than on changing circumstances. • Spiritual Warfare Congregations facing sustained opposition (legal, cultural, ideological) may draw from the imagery of הָתַת to frame their trials accurately: not mere inconvenience but an orchestrated attempt to dismantle faith. Ephesians 6:10–18 supplies the armor needed when walls are under siege. • Ethical Leadership David’s restraint cautions Christian leaders against adopting worldly tactics. Even when attacked, the servant of God must avoid wielding destructive force against opponents, trusting the Lord to vindicate (2 Timothy 2:24–26). Christological Reflections In the Gospels, Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate “leaning wall.” He appeared vulnerable—“despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3)—and was indeed battered to death. Yet in resurrection He proved that those who seek to הָתַת the Righteous One cannot nullify God’s redemptive purpose (Acts 2:23–24). Thus Psalm 62 anticipates both the suffering Messiah and His triumph, offering a pattern for believers united to Him. Related Scriptural Motifs • Overthrow of False Security: Matthew 7:27 portrays a house collapsing when its foundation is sand, paralleling the fate of those who trust in lies (Psalm 62:4). Summary הָתַת encapsulates the determined effort to tear down what stands. Its solitary appearance in Psalm 62 sharpens the psalm’s contrast between frailty and faith, aggression and assurance. The word points believers to the reality of hostile forces while directing them to the greater reality of God’s steadfast protection, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations תְּהֽוֹתְת֣וּ תהותתו tə·hō·wṯ·ṯū tehotTu təhōwṯṯūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 62:3 HEB: עַד־ אָ֤נָה ׀ תְּהֽוֹתְת֣וּ עַל אִישׁ֮ KJV: How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? INT: long How mischief and A man 1 Occurrence |
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