מֵפִיץ
𐤌𐤐𐤉𐤑
mêphîyts
H4650 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A tool or implement used for breaking apart, specifically in the sense of a hammer, mallet, or maul. The primary lexical meaning refers to an object designed to scatter, shatter, or crush through forceful impact.
Semantic Range
mallet, maul, hammer, sledgehammer, club for breaking objects, instrument of dispersal or shattering
Root / Etymology
מֵפִיץ is a masculine noun derived from the root פוץ (פ-ו-ץ), which has the core meaning 'to scatter, disperse, break apart.' The addition of the mem prefix (מֵ-) is typical in forming nouns of instrument or agency, thus meaning 'that which scatters' or 'that which breaks apart.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Hebrew, מֵפִיץ appears only once (Proverbs 25:18) and refers to a physical tool for breaking or crushing—often translated as 'maul,' 'club,' or 'sledgehammer.' The context makes clear it is not a weapon for battle but an instrument that causes scattering or shattering, metaphorically compared alongside a sword or sharp arrow to convey destructive or dispersive force. The underlying imagery emphasizes dispersal, both physically (breaking into pieces) and metaphorically (disrupting unity or integrity). Later Jewish tradition, as well as some ancient translations, sometimes misunderstand the term as a weapon, but its primary sense in the Hebrew Bible context is as a heavy, blunt implement used for breaking objects. English translations often narrow its sense to 'maul' or 'hammer,' but the root idea is more closely connected to causing dispersed fragments than simply crushing. The term is rare and does not occur in material culture lists or outside wisdom literature, reinforcing its specialized or metaphorical usage. Distinct from מַקֵּב (makkev, hammer) or פַּטִּישׁ (pattish, forge hammer), it carries a nuance of violent dispersal rather than typical toolcraft or smithing.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פּוּץ; a breaker, i.e. mallet; maul.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פוץ (p-w-ṣ) — to scatter, disperse, break apart
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4650-01 |
מֵפִ֣יץ | mefits | HNcmsa |
club | scatterer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4650-01 |
Proverbs 25:18 | מֵפִ֣יץ | mefits | HNcmsa |
club | scatterer |