דָּכָה
to collapse (phys. or mentally)
Definition
The Hebrew verb דָּכָה (dâkâh) describes a state of being crushed, broken down, or collapsed, encompassing both physical and psychological dimensions. In its physical sense, it portrays a person or group being violently pressed down or shattered, as seen when the psalmist laments, 'He crouches, he lies low, and the helpless fall by his might' (Psalm 10:10). In its psychological or spiritual sense, it refers to a state of profound inner contrition, a heart that is broken and humbled before God, which is central to the concept of repentance in passages like Psalm 51:17, 'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.'
Biblical Usage
This verb is used exclusively in the Psalms, appearing five times. It is employed in contexts of lament and petition, describing both the oppression of the righteous by enemies (Psalm 10:10, 44:19) and the internal, spiritual condition of the psalmist under the weight of sin or affliction (Psalm 38:8, 51:8, 51:17). The pattern shows a movement from describing external, physical crushing to internal, spiritual brokenness that is pleasing to God.
Etymology
דָּכָה is a primitive root verb, closely related to דָּכָא (dākāʾ, H1792), which also means 'to crush' or 'to be crushed,' and דַּךְ (dak, H1790), an adjective meaning 'crushed' or 'oppressed.' These roots share a core semantic field of pressing, crushing, or pulverizing, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. דָּכָה often carries a nuance of being bent down or crouching as a result of this pressure.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant for understanding biblical repentance and humility. It moves beyond mere sorrow to describe a heart that is fundamentally broken and subdued before God's holiness. In Psalm 51:17, this 'contrite' heart is elevated above ritual sacrifice as the true offering God desires. It enriches the reading of penitential psalms by highlighting that God's grace is specifically for those who are spiritually crushed and aware of their need.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical crushing or being trampled was a common metaphor for military defeat and subjugation. The psalmists adapt this powerful imagery to describe both national suffering and, more uniquely, an individual's internal state before God. The concept of a 'contrite heart' as valuable to the deity contrasts with some cultural emphases on strength and self-sufficiency, highlighting a distinctively biblical value on humility and dependence.
דָּכָא (dākāʾ, H1792) — A very close synonym, often used interchangeably for crushing, but can emphasize the result (being crushed) more than the crouching posture implied by דָּכָה. שָׁבַר (šāḇar, H7665) — Means 'to break' in a more general or violent sense; while דָּכָה implies a pressing or grinding down, שָׁבַר can imply a snapping or shattering.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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