מַפָּץ
𐤌𐤐𐤑
mappâts
H4660 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A blow or striking that shatters or breaks apart; an act of smashing or pulverizing. The term refers both to the action of smashing something to pieces and the fragments or result of such violent breaking. In context, it often denotes destructive force applied to objects or, metaphorically, to entities such as nations or groups.
Semantic Range
shattering, smashing, breaking into fragments, violent destruction, catastrophic defeat, pulverization
Root / Etymology
From the root נָפַץ (n-p-ts), meaning 'to shatter, break apart, scatter.' The noun מַפָּץ is a derived form indicating the act or result of shattering or smashing. Unlike the root's verbal uses (to shatter, scatter), the noun focuses on the event or impact itself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַפָּץ appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, typically denoting a violent or catastrophic breaking apart, whether of physical objects or in figurative senses (e.g., divine judgment or utter defeat). Its nuance is stronger than general terms for striking or hitting (such as הִכָּה), focusing on total destruction or reduction to fragments. In later Hebrew, similar forms carry the idea of pulverization or crushing. English versions may translate it as 'slaughter' or 'smashing,' but such renderings can obscure the emphasis on shattering to pieces rather than specifically killing. The noun emphasizes forceful fragmentation rather than mere striking or defeat.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָפַץ; a smiting to pieces; slaughter.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נפץ (n-p-ts) — to shatter, break to pieces, scatter violently
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4661 | מַפֵּץ | smashing war-club |
| H5310 | נָפַץ | shattered ones |
| H5311 | נֶפֶץ | violent shattering |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4660-01 |
מַפָּצ/וֹ֙ | mapatso | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of shattering | his shattering-blow | his shattering-blow | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4660-01 |
Ezekiel 9:2 | מַפָּצ/וֹ֙ | mapatso | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of shattering | his shattering-blow | his shattering-blow |