קַרְדֹּם
an axe
Definition
The Hebrew noun קַרְדֹּם (qardôm) refers specifically to an axe, a tool used for cutting or chopping wood. In the Old Testament, it consistently denotes a metal axe head, often made of iron, used for felling trees (Judges 9:48) or shaping wood (1 Samuel 13:20-21). In a metaphorical sense, it appears in Psalm 74:5-6, where the enemies of God are described as wielding axes to destroy the sanctuary, symbolizing violent destruction. Jeremiah 46:22 also uses the term figuratively, comparing the sound of an advancing army to the noise of men cutting down trees with axes.
Biblical Usage
The word is used five times in the Old Testament, primarily in historical and prophetic contexts. In historical narratives, it describes a practical tool for forestry and craftsmanship (Judges 9:48; 1 Samuel 13:20-21). In poetic and prophetic books, it takes on a symbolic role, representing instruments of God's judgment or human violence against sacred spaces (Psalm 74:5; Jeremiah 46:22). Its usage shows a progression from literal agricultural/military tool to a metaphor for destructive force.
Etymology
The origin of קַרְדֹּם is uncertain, but it is possibly derived from the root קָדַם (qadam, H6923), meaning 'to meet, confront, or come before.' This connection suggests the sense of an axe 'striking upon' or 'meeting' its target. It is a distinct term for an axe, not the common word for a weapon (like חֶרֶב, a sword).
Semantic Range
While primarily a common tool, קַרְדֹּם gains theological significance in its metaphorical uses. In Psalm 74, the axe becomes a symbol of the desecration of God's holy place, highlighting the vulnerability of the sanctuary and the brutality of God's enemies. In Jeremiah, it illustrates the inescapable sound of divine judgment. Understanding this word enriches reading by showing how ordinary objects in Hebrew can carry profound symbolic weight concerning holiness, judgment, and human violence against God's order.
In ancient Israel, an axe (qardôm) was a valuable iron tool, crucial for clearing land, building, and warfare. The references in 1 Samuel 13:20-21 highlight its importance and cost, as the Philistines controlled ironworking, forcing Israelites to pay to sharpen their tools. This was not a simple hand-axe but likely a heavier implement for felling trees. Its sound would have been familiar yet ominous, explaining its powerful use in metaphors of approaching armies or destruction.
גַּרְזֶן (garzen, H1631) — another word for axe, often used interchangeably but possibly denoting a different shape or use (e.g., Deuteronomy 19:5, 2 Kings 6:5).
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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