קָבַץ
to grasp, i.e. collect
Definition
The Hebrew verb קָבַץ (qâbats) fundamentally means to gather or collect, often implying a purposeful assembly of people, objects, or resources. In a physical sense, it describes gathering food, as when Joseph stored grain in Egypt (Genesis 41:35, 48), or assembling people for war or community, as seen when kings gathered against Israel (Joshua 9:2, 10:6). Theologically, it is powerfully used for God's action in gathering His scattered people from exile, a key theme of restoration and hope (Deuteronomy 30:3-4). The word can also imply a drawing together into a heap or a single location.
Biblical Usage
קָבַץ is used approximately 120 times across the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, legal, and prophetic books. It frequently describes the mustering of armies or the convening of communities (e.g., Joshua 10:6). In the Pentateuch, it is used for gathering resources (Genesis 41) and people (Genesis 49:2). The prophets and Deuteronomy employ it for the eschatological gathering of Israel by God, a promise of national restoration after judgment. It is also used in contexts of judgment, such as gathering the spoils of a destroyed city (Deuteronomy 13:16).
Etymology
קָבַץ is a primitive root verb. Its core meaning relates to grasping or drawing together. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of collecting or assembling. The root conveys a sense of movement from a state of dispersion to one of concentration or unity.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures God's sovereign action in the history of Israel. The promise that God will 'gather' His people from the nations (Deuteronomy 30:3-4) becomes a cornerstone of prophetic hope (e.g., Isaiah 11:12, Jeremiah 29:14). It speaks to God's faithfulness to His covenant, His power to restore, and the future hope of a reunited people. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting physical gatherings in the text to this greater theological theme of divine redemption and assembly.
In an ancient agrarian and tribal society, the act of gathering was essential for survival (harvest, preparation for war) and community identity (assembling for legal or religious purposes). The gathering of people often had military, judicial, or covenantal significance, differing from a modern casual meeting. God's promise to 'gather' a scattered people would resonate deeply with a community whose identity was tied to land and kinship.
אָסַף (ʾāsaph, H622) — Often interchangeable, but can emphasize the completion of gathering or bringing in. עָצַר (ʿātsar, H6113) — To restrain or retain; gathering with a connotation of holding back or shutting in. כָּנַס (kānas, H3664) — To gather or collect, used less frequently; can imply gathering for a specific purpose like storage.
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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