Lexical Summary shachaq: To pulverize, to rub away, to wear away, to grind Original Word: שָׁחַק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beat, wear A primitive root; to comminate (by trituration or attrition) -- beat, wear. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to rub away, beat fine, pulverize NASB Translation beat (1), beat them fine (1), pulverized (1), wears away (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׁחַק] verb rub away, beat fine, pulverize (so Arabic  ,  worn garment, thin clouds; Aramaic שְׁחַק,  pilverize; Ecclus שחק Ecclesiasticus 6:36 is go often (wear by treading), Str compare iter terere); — Qal Perfect3plural אֲבָּנִים שָֽׁחֲקוּ מַיִם Job 14:19 waters rub away stones; 2 masculine singular וְשָׁחַקְתָּ֫ Exodus 30:36 (P; of pulverizing incense, see דקק Hiph`il); figurative, accusative of foes, Imperfect1singular suffix וְאֶשְׁחָקֵם 2 Samuel 22:43 ("") = Psalm 18:43. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery שָׁחַק conveys the forceful action of pounding, grinding, or pulverizing until what is struck becomes fine dust. The verb evokes total reduction—whether of fragrant spices for worship or of hostile powers brought to nothing. The imagery of dust underscores both fragility and finality: what is thus reduced cannot re-form itself but is dispersed by the slightest breath or breeze (Psalm 18:42). Occurrences in Scripture • Exodus 30:36 – “Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Ark of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting”. Worship and Sanctity In Exodus 30:36 the pulverizing of the sacred incense dramatizes separation from common use. Only when the costly spices were beaten very small could their fragrance mingle perfectly, rise without obstruction, and be acceptable in the Holy Place. The act teaches that prayer, intercession, and worship are most pleasing when self-will is crushed and the aroma of holiness alone ascends (Revelation 8:3-4). Divine Victory and Judgment David’s song in 2 Samuel 22:43 (echoed in Psalm 18:42) celebrates the LORD’s enabling presence in military triumph. Enemies are not merely defeated; they are pulverized, rendered irretrievable as scattered dust. The verb therefore highlights the completeness of divine judgment: opposition to God’s kingdom ends in total dissolution. Prophets later employ similar language for eschatological judgment (Isaiah 41:15-16; Daniel 2:35), reinforcing the certainty that every proud power will be reduced to chaff before the Messiah’s reign. Human Frailty and Mortality Job 14:19 juxtaposes the patient attrition of nature with the brevity of human hope. Just as water slowly wears down the hardest stone, so the relentless advance of suffering and death erodes human confidence. The same verb that pictures decisive victory in David’s psalm here portrays the steady, inescapable grinding of life’s trials—driving the sufferer to seek refuge in the Redeemer (Job 19:25). Historical Background The physical act of grinding—whether with mortar and pestle or large millstones—was common in ancient Israelite households, military camps, and sanctuary service. The tabernacle incense recipe (Exodus 30:34-38) reserved the finest powder for exclusive priestly use, while the threshing floor and mill were scenes where grain and enemies alike could be “crushed” in poetic description. David’s imagery would resonate with warriors familiar with stamping chaff on hard ground to separate husk from kernel. Theological Implications 1. Holiness Requires Separation: Only what is broken of self becomes useful in divine worship. Practical Ministry Applications • Intercessors may pray that the Spirit “grind” every proud thought into the dust so that pure worship rises unhindered. Typological and Christological Insights The incense beaten small and placed “where I will meet with you” foreshadows the fragrant obedience of Jesus Christ, wholly yielded and accepted in the presence of the Father (Ephesians 5:2). Conversely, the crushing of His heel (Genesis 3:15) leads to the crushing of the serpent’s head—an ultimate fulfillment of שָׁחַק in redemptive history (Romans 16:20). Related Concepts • Dust imagery (Genesis 3:19; Psalm 103:14). Summary Strong’s Hebrew 7833 portrays an action that reduces the mighty to nothing and prepares the precious for holy service. Whether in sanctuary rituals, royal victory songs, or the lament of the afflicted, שָׁחַק reminds every reader that God alone determines what is preserved and what is ground to dust. Forms and Transliterations וְֽאֶשְׁחָקֵ֗ם וְאֶשְׁחָקֵ֖ם וְשָֽׁחַקְתָּ֣ ואשחקם ושחקת שָׁ֥חֲקוּ שחקו šā·ḥă·qū šāḥăqū Shachaku veeshchaKem veshachakTa wə’ešḥāqêm wə·’eš·ḥā·qêm wə·šā·ḥaq·tā wəšāḥaqtāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 30:36 HEB: וְשָֽׁחַקְתָּ֣ מִמֶּנָּה֮ הָדֵק֒ NAS: You shall beat some of it very fine, KJV: And thou shalt beat [some] of it very small, INT: shall beat some very 2 Samuel 22:43 Job 14:19 Psalm 18:42 4 Occurrences |
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