מַחַץ
𐤌𐤇𐤑
machats
H4273 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A blow or wound resulting in a severe bruise, contusion, or crushing injury; by extension, the result of a forceful strike that causes significant physical trauma. In poetic or descriptive contexts, it denotes the effect or aftermath of a decisive or violent impact, often in battle scenes or metaphoric usages for sudden, destructive events.
Semantic Range
contusion, bruise, crushing wound, the mark or aftermath of a forceful blow, defeat or destruction caused by overwhelming force
Root / Etymology
The noun מַחַץ (machats) derives from the root מָחַץ (machats), which means 'to strike, crush, or smash.' The root conveys forceful, breaking action; the noun form refers to the outcome or mark of such an act—a contusion or crushing wound. Root: מ-ח-ץ.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַחַץ is a rare noun that appears in poetic or illustrative biblical passages, such as in descriptions of military defeat or the injuries sustained in combat (e.g., Numbers 24:17; Deuteronomy 32:39). The term conveys not merely the act of being struck but emphasizes the lingering or visible effect—the deep bruise or crushing injury left behind. It is distinct from other Hebrew terms for wounds (such as פֶּצַע [petsaʿ] for an open wound/cut or מַכָּה [makah] for a blow or generic wound), as מַחַץ specifically alludes to an injury caused by blunt force rather than a cut. In most occurrences, the term is used metaphorically for the defeat or overthrow of adversaries, particularly in prophetic or poetic passages. The English equivalents 'contusion' or 'bruise' capture part of the meaning but may underemphasize the violent, crushing force implied by the Hebrew term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָחַץ; a contusion; stroke.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מחץ (m-ḥ-ṣ) — strike, crush, smash
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4272 | מָחַץ | I will crush them |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4273-01 |
וּ/מַ֥חַץ | umachats | HC/Ncmsc |
and blow | and he crushed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4273-01 |
Isaiah 30:26 | וּ/מַ֥חַץ | umachats | HC/Ncmsc |
and blow | and he crushed |