Lexical Summary makak: To melt, dissolve, waste away Original Word: מָכַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be brought low, decay A primitive root; to tumble (in ruins); figuratively, to perish -- be brought low, decay. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be low or humiliated NASB Translation brought low (1), sag (1), sank down (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָכַךְ] verb be low, humiliated (Aramaic מְכַךְ,  ; Arabic  is suck entirely out, diminish, consume) — Qal Imperfect וַיָּמֹ֫כּוּ Psalm 106:43 of perverse Israel Niph`al Imperfect יִמַּךְ Ecclesiastes 10:18 sink (in decay) of house-timbers. Hoph`al Perfect וְהֻמְּכוּ Job 24:24 be brought low, of wicked. I. מִכְלָה see כלא. II. [מִכְלָה] see כלה. מִכְלוֺל, מִכְלָל, [מַכְלֻל] see כלל. מַכֹּ֫לֶת see אכל. [מִכְמָן], מִכְמַנֵּי see כון. מִכְמָס, מִכְמָשׂ see כמס. מִכְמָר, [מַכְמֹר], [מִכְמֶ֫רֶת], מִכְמֹ֫רֶת see III. כמר. מִכְמְתָת see כמת. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 4355 מָכַךְ depicts the gradual sagging, sinking, or wasting away of something once firm. Scripture employs the verb three times to describe (1) the fleeting prosperity of the wicked, (2) the moral collapse of a rebellious nation, and (3) the physical deterioration of a neglected house. Each use underscores the principle that what is not upheld by righteousness and diligence will inevitably give way. Biblical Occurrences • Job 24:24 – “They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.” Semantic Range and Imagery The verb conveys three interrelated pictures: 1. Physical subsidence—an architectural element losing structural support (Ecclesiastes 10:18). Together these images reveal a broader motif of decline set in motion when proper support—whether moral, spiritual, or practical—is withdrawn. Historical and Cultural Context Ancient Near-Eastern homes depended on constant maintenance; unattended beams absorbed moisture, softened, and eventually sagged. Ecclesiastes 10:18 capitalizes on this familiar observation to illustrate the consequences of apathy. In the national life of Israel (Psalm 106), repeated rescues from covenant curses were followed by fresh rebellion, leading to the people’s descent into exile. Job 24:24 reflects patriarchal wisdom that the apparent triumph of the wicked is transient; like aging timber, their strength deteriorates unseen until collapse is irreversible. Theological Themes 1. Divine Justice: Job 24:24 assures that God’s retributive order levels all human arrogance. In every text, מָכַךְ embodies the biblical law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7), demonstrating that decline is not arbitrary but a consequence of forsaking God-ordained responsibilities. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Personal holiness requires ongoing attention; unchecked habits “sink” character. Connection to the Redemptive Narrative The verb’s imagery anticipates the gospel solution: what human effort cannot prop up, God restores in Christ. Where sin causes souls to sag, the Lord “lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14). The collapsing roof of humanity finds its true support in the “living Stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious to God” (1 Peter 2:4), ensuring that those who come to Him will never be brought low in shame (Romans 10:11). Forms and Transliterations וְֽהֻמְּכ֗וּ וַ֝יָּמֹ֗כּוּ והמכו וימכו יִמַּ֣ךְ ימך vaiyaMokku vehummeChu way·yā·mōk·kū wayyāmōkkū wə·hum·mə·ḵū wəhumməḵū yim·maḵ yimMach yimmaḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 24:24 HEB: מְּעַ֨ט ׀ וְֽאֵינֶ֗נּוּ וְֽהֻמְּכ֗וּ כַּכֹּ֥ל יִקָּפְצ֑וּן NAS: then they are gone; Moreover, they are brought low and like everything KJV: for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out INT: A little are gone are brought everything gathered Psalm 106:43 Ecclesiastes 10:18 3 Occurrences |
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