Lexical Summary qaphats: To draw together, close, shut, leap, or spring Original Word: קָפַץ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shut up, skip, stop, take out of the way A primitive root; to draw together, i.e. Close; by implication, to leap (by contracting the limbs); specifically, to die (from gathering up the feet) -- shut (up), skip, stop, take out of the way. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition draw together, shut NASB Translation close (1), gathered (1), leaping (1), shut (2), shuts (1), withdrawn (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קָפַץ verb draw together, shut (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Arabic  collect, conjoin, tie; Syriac  draw together, contract, withdraw (compare NöM 47: ZMG xxxiii (1879), 516); ᵑ7 קְפַץ hasten (double oneself up in running), Pi`el hop, spring); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳ק Psalm 77:10, etc.; Imperfect2masculine singular תִּקְמֹּץ Deuteronomy 15:7; 3masculine plural יִקְמְּצוּ Isaiah 52:15; — shut hand Deuteronomy 15:7 (with מִן away from, so as not to lend; opp, פתח Deuteronomy 15:80); mouth, in astonishment Isaiah 52:15, in abject silence Job 5:16; Psalm 107:42; figurative רַחֲמָיו ׳ק Psalm 77:10 shut up his compassion. Niph`al Imperfect3masculine singular יִקָּֽפְצוּן Job 24:24 si vera lectio, they draw themselves together, of contraction in death (compare Di Bu; Ol יִקָּֽבְצוּן are gathered in). Pi`el Participle מְקַמֵּץ עַלהַֿגְּבָעוֺת Songs 2:8 springing (i.e. making repeated contractions of body, in taking leaps) upon the hills ("" מְרַלֵּג). קֵץ see קצץ. Topical Lexicon Overview The verb קָפַץ appears seven times in the Old Testament and consistently conveys the idea of sudden contraction or drawing together, whether of the hand, the mouth, compassion, or even a body in motion. Its contexts range from covenant economics to eschatological glory, weaving a thread that highlights both human responsiveness and divine sovereignty. Semantic Range and Imagery 1. Closing the hand (Deuteronomy 15:7) – an image of withholding provision. These nuances converge around two poles: restraint (hand, mouth, mercy) and sudden, decisive action (leap, gathering up). Occurrences and Contexts 1. Deuteronomy 15:7 – Covenant generosity was to characterize Israel. A “tight-fisted” response toward the poor denied the very nature of Yahweh, who opened His hand in redemption from Egypt. Theological Insights Generosity versus Withholding The first occurrence, Deuteronomy 15:7, sets a moral baseline: God’s people must not “close” the hand He intends to be open. The verb therefore confronts every age with the danger of spiritual and material stinginess, particularly toward the vulnerable. Silencing of Evil Job 5:16 and Psalm 107:42 show that wickedness is not merely refuted; it is rendered speechless. Divine acts so evident leave no rebuttal. In a culture awash with competing narratives, believers are reminded that the Lord does not merely win arguments—He wins history. Transient Triumph of the Wicked Job 24:24 compresses the lifespan of the oppressor into a moment. The same verb that elsewhere pictures the silencing of evil here depicts its sudden collapse. Earthly prosperity without righteousness inevitably contracts. Perceived Absence of Mercy Psalm 77:9 represents the believer’s dark night of the soul. Even when compassion seems “shut off,” the psalmist discovers that God’s past faithfulness opens a way forward. The verb thus frames both doubt and resolution. Eschatological Revelation Isaiah 52:15 escalates the theme: when the Servant is exalted, the mightiest rulers will have nothing to say. The silence of kings prefigures every knee bowing before Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:10-11). Love in Motion In Song of Solomon 2:8 the verb’s leap imagery punctuates the entire semantic field: what God restrains, He restrains decisively; what He releases, He releases with equal vigor. The Bridegroom’s boundless energy foreshadows the Incarnation, where divine love crosses every distance. Practical and Ministry Applications Generous Living Congregations are called to keep their hands open: “You must not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother” (Deuteronomy 15:7). Benevolence funds, hospitality, and personal charity become tangible acts of covenant faithfulness. Confidence in Justice Pastoral care often meets victims of oppression. Job 5:16 and Psalm 107:42 ground counsel in the certainty that God will ultimately silence injustice. This assures both comfort and motivation for pursuing biblical justice today. Addressing Doubt When believers fear that heaven is “shut,” Psalm 77 models honest lament that leads to worship. Small-group leaders and counselors can guide sufferers through remembrance of God’s past acts in Scripture and personal history. Proclaiming Christ to the Powerful Isaiah 52:15 invites mission to the elite as well as the marginalized. The gospel that once silenced kings still confronts political, academic, and cultural authorities. Missions strategy should anticipate God opening doors at every social level. Celebrating Divine Pursuit The vigorous movement of Song of Solomon 2:8 encourages worship that rejoices in Christ’s eager love. It fuels evangelism with the confidence that the Shepherd seeks His lost sheep with unstoppable energy. Christological and Eschatological Foreshadowings The Servant who causes kings to “shut their mouths” (Isaiah 52:15) is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. At His first coming He was silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14), yet at His return the roles reverse: the mouths of the nations close, and “every mouth may be silenced” (Romans 3:19). Meanwhile, the leap of the Beloved (Song of Solomon 2:8) anticipates the Resurrection, when the Victor sprang from the grave, and also the Ascension, bridging earth and heaven. Thus קָפַץ links the redemptive arc from covenant law to consummated glory. Reflections for Worship and Mission • Examine the heart: where has generosity contracted? Forms and Transliterations יִקְפְּצ֥וּ יִקָּפְצ֑וּן יקפצו יקפצון מְקַפֵּ֖ץ מקפץ קָ֣פְצָה קָפַ֥ץ קפץ קפצה תִקְפֹּץ֙ תקפץ kaFatz Kafetzah mə·qap·pêṣ mekapPetz məqappêṣ qā·p̄aṣ qā·p̄ə·ṣāh qāp̄aṣ qāp̄əṣāh tikPotz ṯiq·pōṣ ṯiqpōṣ yikkafeTzun yikpeTzu yiq·pə·ṣū yiq·qā·p̄ə·ṣūn yiqpəṣū yiqqāp̄əṣūnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 15:7 HEB: לְבָבְךָ֗ וְלֹ֤א תִקְפֹּץ֙ אֶת־ יָ֣דְךָ֔ NAS: nor close your hand KJV: thine heart, nor shut thine hand INT: your heart nor close your hand brother Job 5:16 Job 24:24 Psalm 77:9 Psalm 107:42 Songs 2:8 Isaiah 52:15 7 Occurrences |
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