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כָּתַת

𐤊𐤕𐤕

kâthath

H3807 verb

SILEX Entry

Root כְּ־ת־ת to crush, smash, shatter, break into pieces

Definition

To break or smash something by force, to shatter, crush, or demolish. Used for physical objects being broken, but can also refer metaphorically to destroying power, pride, or strength. The term often implies a forceful, violent breaking into smaller pieces, sometimes with a sense of reducing to a powerless or unusable state.

Semantic Range

to smash (objects), to crush (as with oppression or defeat), to shatter (weapons, idols), to subdue or bring low (metaphorically), to demolish, to reduce to fragments or powder

Root / Etymology

Root: כתת. The basic meaning of the root is 'to crush, smash, break into pieces.' The verb כָּתַת is a primary formation from this root. It is attested in the Qal and Pual stems, typically reflecting the literal sense of physical smashing or the metaphorical sense of decisively subduing.

Historical & Contextual Notes

כָּתַת is used throughout the Hebrew Bible in a variety of contexts. In early texts (e.g., narratives and poetry), it chiefly describes literal smashing or crushing, as seen with idols, weapons, or objects. It is also used in military language denoting comprehensive defeat (e.g., crushing an army or enemy). In prophetic and poetic usages, the term can acquire a metaphorical nuance, referring to the breaking of pride, hope, or the end of political dominion (as in breaking the strength of nations or rulers). English translations often obscure the visceral violence implied by the Hebrew term, sometimes softening it to 'break' or 'discomfit.' כָּתַת is distinguished from other similar roots like שָׁבַר (to break, shatter), with כָּתַת tending to emphasize reduction to fragments, powder, or utter ruin. This verb does not carry the religious-legal connotations sometimes associated with שָׁבַר, and never means simply 'to open' (as that verb can). Usage remains relatively stable, but in post-exilic and later texts, the metaphorical sense (breaking power or pride) becomes more pronounced.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to bruise or violently strike; beat (down, to pieces), break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit, smite, stamp. l

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כתת (k-t-t) — crush, smash, shatter, break into pieces

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3795 כָּתִית crushed-pressed
H4386 מְכִתָּה in his shattering

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3807-10 וְ/כִתְּת֨וּ vekhitetu HC/Vpq3cp and-they-shall-beat and they shattered to pieces 3
H3807-13 יֻכַּ֔תּוּ yukatu HVHi3mp are beaten down they will be crushed 3
H3807-11 וְ/כֻתְּת֥וּ vekhutetu HC/VPp3cp and they were broken and they were crushed 1
H3807-07 וְ/כַתּוֹתִ֣י vekhatoti HC/Vqp1cs I will crush and I crushed 1
H3807-03 כֹּ֤תּוּ kotu HVqv2mp Beat Smash! 1
H3807-08 וְ/כָתוּת֙ vekhatut HC/Vqsmsa or crushed crushed one 1
H3807-06 וַֽ/יַּכְּת֖וּ/ם vayaketum HC/Vhw3mp/Sp3mp and-pursued-them and they shattered them 1
H3807-09 וְ/כִתַּת֩ vekhitat HC/Vpp3ms and broke in pieces and he crushed to pieces 1
H3807-04 וָ/אֶכֹּ֨ת vaekot HC/Vqw1cs and-I-beat and I crushed 1
H3807-05 וַֽ/יַּכְּת֥וּ vayaketu HC/Vhw3mp and destroyed and they shattered 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3807-08 Leviticus 22:24 וְ/כָתוּת֙ vekhatut HC/Vqsmsa or crushed crushed one
H3807-06 Numbers 14:45 וַֽ/יַּכְּת֖וּ/ם vayaketum HC/Vhw3mp/Sp3mp and-pursued-them and they shattered them
H3807-05 Deuteronomy 1:44 וַֽ/יַּכְּת֥וּ vayaketu HC/Vhw3mp and destroyed and they shattered
H3807-04 Deuteronomy 9:21 וָ/אֶכֹּ֨ת vaekot HC/Vqw1cs and-I-beat and I crushed
H3807-09 2 Kings 18:4 וְ/כִתַּת֩ vekhitat HC/Vpp3ms and broke in pieces and he crushed to pieces
H3807-10 Isaiah 2:4 וְ/כִתְּת֨וּ vekhitetu HC/Vpq3cp and-they-will-beat and they shattered to pieces
H3807-12 Isaiah 24:12 יֻכַּת yukat HVHi3ms is battered he will be crushed
H3807-01 Isaiah 30:14 כָּת֖וּת katut HVqsmsa shattering crushed one
H3807-13 Jeremiah 46:5 יֻכַּ֔תּוּ yukatu HVHi3mp are beaten down they will be crushed
H3807-03 Joel 4:10 כֹּ֤תּוּ kotu HVqv2mp Beat Smash!
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