מַפֵּץ
𐤌𐤐𐤑
mappêts
H4661 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A club or mace used as a weapon, typically made of heavy wood or metal, designed for striking or smashing in battle; in certain contexts, refers specifically to a war club or battle axe. It indicates an instrument of forceful impact, typically wielded in military engagements or combat situations.
Semantic Range
war club, battle club, mace, battle axe, instrument for striking or smashing in warfare, metaphorical weapon (agent of destruction or judgment)
Root / Etymology
The term מַפֵּץ (mappêts) derives from the root נָפַץ (n-p-ts), which means 'to scatter, smash, break apart, disperse.' The form מַפֵּץ reflects a noun of instrument, denoting an implement used for striking or smashing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Jeremiah 51:20, where it is applied metaphorically to the nation of Israel as an instrument of divine judgment ('You are my war club and weapon of battle'). The image evokes both literal battle weaponry and a figurative sense of destructive power. While English translations often render the term as 'battle axe' or 'war club,' the underlying Hebrew concept is broader, encompassing a heavy, striking weapon used in combat. The use of מַפֵּץ contrasts with other terms for edged weapons (e.g., חֶרֶב 'sword') and emphasizes impact by blunt force. Over time, the object denoted by this term may have viewed as an emblem of military capability or even ruling power, though it remains rooted in material weaponry. In later periods, the specific association with a particular type of weapon (mace vs. axe) may be less precise than in technical military terminology; thus, translation as 'battle club' or 'war club' is generally more faithful to the semantic range. The term appears during the monarchic and exilic periods; post-biblical Hebrew does not preserve this usage, and modern parallels must be drawn cautiously.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָפַץ; a smiter, i.e. a war club; battle ax.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נפץ (n-p-ts) — to smash, shatter, break apart, scatter by force
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4660 | מַפָּץ | his shattering-blow |
| H5310 | נָפַץ | shattered ones |
| H5311 | נֶפֶץ | violent shattering |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4661-01 |
מַפֵּץ | mapets | HNcmsa |
shatterer | smashing war-club | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4661-01 |
Jeremiah 51:20 | מַפֵּץ | mapets | HNcmsa |
shatterer | smashing war-club |