מָעַךְ
𐤌𐤏𐤊
mâʻak
H4600 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To press, squeeze, or crush, often indicating a forceful or compressing action; by extension, to bruise or wound through pressure. The sense can include to strike so as to cause a contusion or injury, or in rarer cases, to 'emasculate,' as by crushing or harming reproductive organs (as implied in certain halakhic contexts). In some settings, refers to being oppressed, afflicted, or subjected to force.
Semantic Range
to press, to bruise, to crush, to pierce (by compression), to oppress, to emasculate (in specific legal context); to be crushed or afflicted
Root / Etymology
Root מ־ע־ך (מעך), meaning 'to press, squeeze, crush.' The form מָעַךְ is a basic qal verb derived from the root, associated with physical action of compressing or crushing. The root occurs in related Semitic languages with comparable meanings (Akkadian maḫāku, 'to crush').
Historical & Contextual Notes
Usage of מָעַךְ in the Hebrew Bible is rare and generally limited to contexts involving mechanical force. In Deuteronomy 23:2 (Heb. 23:1), the word appears in legal stipulation regarding the exclusion from assembly of men who are 'crushed' or emasculated, where it denotes an injury or mutilation of the genitals. The word stands distinct from other roots with a similar sense (such as דכא dakaʾ, 'to crush, oppress'), in that it more specifically focuses on the means (compressive force, crushing) rather than the result (brokenness or humility). Post-biblically, the meaning of 'emasculate' acquired halakhic significance in Jewish law, being cited in relation to qualification for community membership. The word's semantic range in biblical usage is narrower than what some English translations suggest; it rarely refers broadly to 'handling' or to pressing in non-injurious senses, and is most precisely used of bruising or wounding by pressure or crushing, especially in legal or purity legislation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to press, i.e. to pierce, emasculate, handle; bruised, stuck, be pressed.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מעך (m-ʿ-k) — to press, to squeeze, to crush
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4582 | מָעוֹךְ | Oppressor |
| H4601 | מַעֲכָה | Maakah (Pressed-Place) |
| H4602 | מַעֲכָתִי | the Ma‘akathite |
| H4624 | מַעֲקֶה | roof restraint-barrier |
| H62 | אָבֵל בֵּית־מֲעַכָה | Maakah |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4600-03 |
וּ/מָע֤וּךְ | umaukhe | HC/Vqsmsa |
bruised | crushed one | 1 |
H4600-01 |
מְעוּכָֽה | meukhah | HVqsfsa |
stuck | crushed one | 1 |
H4600-02 |
מֹעֲכ֣וּ | moakhu | HVPp3cp |
were pressed | they were crushed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4600-03 |
Leviticus 22:24 | וּ/מָע֤וּךְ | umaukhe | HC/Vqsmsa |
bruised | crushed one |
H4600-01 |
1 Samuel 26:7 | מְעוּכָֽה | meukhah | HVqsfsa |
stuck | crushed one |
H4600-02 |
Ezekiel 23:3 | מֹעֲכ֣וּ | moakhu | HVPp3cp |
were pressed | they were crushed |