פָּשַׁח
𐤐𐤔𐤇
pâshach
H6582 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To tear or rip apart forcefully, with the sense of violent separation into pieces. The verb typically denotes the act of splitting, ripping, or pulling something apart, often with destruction or violence. In its biblical occurrences, it describes the act of tearing prey or dividing spoils, highlighting the forceful and complete nature of the action.
Semantic Range
to tear in pieces, to rip apart, to render asunder, to pull in pieces violently
Root / Etymology
Root: פָּשַׁח (p-sh-ḥ). The root meaning is 'to tear or break apart.' The root is rare and its precise origin and relationships to other roots are uncertain, but it may be related to other Semitic roots conveying the idea of breaking or dividing. The basic stem (qal) expresses the primary action of tearing apart.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פָּשַׁח is attested very infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is considered an archaic or poetic term. It appears with the sense of violent division, especially in relation to tearing prey or spoils, and is closely related to imagery of predatory animals (see Ezekiel 22:27). Its rarity limits observation of semantic development over time. The term is more vivid and forceful than more common verbs for 'split' (e.g. בָּקַע, to split open) or 'tear' (e.g. קָרַע, to tear). English translations often render it as 'tear in pieces' or 'pull in pieces,' which captures the destructive nuance but may flatten the vividness of the original Hebrew. Use does not appear to shift significantly across historical periods due to its limited attestation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to tear in pieces; pull in pieces.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פשח (p-š-ḥ) — to tear apart, to rip, to pull in pieces
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6583 | פַּשְׁחוּר | Liberation |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6582-01 |
וַֽ/יְפַשְּׁחֵ֖/נִי | vayefashecheni | HC/Vpw3ms/Sp1cs |
and tore me to pieces | he ripped me apart | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6582-01 |
Lamentations 3:11 | וַֽ/יְפַשְּׁחֵ֖/נִי | vayefashecheni | HC/Vpw3ms/Sp1cs |
and tore me to pieces | he ripped me apart |