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מָחָא

𐤌𐤇𐤀

mâchâʼ

H4222 verb

SILEX Entry

Root מ ח א to strike, to hit, to clap

Definition

To strike, clap, or beat (most often the hands), especially as a physical gesture in response to an event or emotion. The primary lexical meaning is the physical striking or clapping of hands, with the associated semantic range extending to expressions of joy, exultation, scorn, or derision depending on the context. The act often serves as a public or expressive gesture accompanying speech or as a sign of collective emotion.

Semantic Range

to clap the hands, to strike the hands together, to express joy or exultation by clapping, to convey derision or scorn by clapping, to make a demonstrative gesture.

Root / Etymology

Root: מחא. The root מחא has the basic sense of 'to strike' or 'to hit.' The verb מָחָא derives directly from this root and retains the physical sense of striking, specifically with the hands (e.g., clapping, slapping).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מָחָא typically refers to the action of clapping, striking, or beating the hands together. While it can denote exultant rejoicing or communal affirmation (e.g., applause or celebratory gestures), it is also used for derisive or mocking clapping (e.g., as a sign of scorn or lament against adversaries). The term is rare and occurs primarily in poetic contexts—often in prophetic or wisdom literature. While English translations may use 'clap' or 'strike hands,' these can obscure the full emotional or social significance the gesture held in ancient Israelite society. Clapping (מָחָא) sometimes denoted agreement, covenant, derision, or participation in a public gesture. Other Hebrew terms such as תָּקַע (taqa‘, 'to strike' or 'to clap (the hand)') can overlap in meaning but may refer more broadly to striking or driving. Over time and in later Jewish usage, the act of clapping developed more joyous or ritual connotations, but in the biblical context the emotional valence of מָחָא remains context-dependent.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to rub or strike the hands together (in exultation); clap.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מחא (m-ḥ-ʾ) — to strike, to hit, to clap

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4223 מְחָא she struck

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4222-02 יִמְחֲאוּ yimechau HVqi3mp clap they will clap 2
H4222-01 מַחְאֲ/ךָ֣ macheakha HVqc/Sp2ms you have clapped your clapping 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4222-02 Isaiah 55:12 יִמְחֲאוּ yimechau HVqi3mp will clap they will clap
H4222-01 Ezekiel 25:6 מַחְאֲ/ךָ֣ macheakha HVqc/Sp2ms you have clapped your clapping
H4222-02 Psalms 98:8 יִמְחֲאוּ yimechau HVqi3mp clap they will clap
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