קָצַב
to clip, or (generally) chop
Definition
The Hebrew verb קָצַב (qâtsab) means to cut, chop, or clip off. It describes a forceful, decisive cutting action, often with a tool like an axe. In 2 Kings 6:6, it refers to chopping down a piece of wood, while in Song of Solomon 4:2, it describes sheep that have been freshly shorn, emphasizing the result of the cutting action. The core meaning consistently involves separation by cutting.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, in two distinct contexts. In 2 Kings 6:6, it describes the prophet Elisha's miraculous act of making an iron axe head float after it was lost while cutting down (qâtsab) a tree. In Song of Solomon 4:2, it is used metaphorically to describe the beloved's teeth as being 'like a flock of shorn (qâtsab) sheep,' highlighting their whiteness and evenness. The usage spans both a literal, physical action and a poetic, comparative image.
Etymology
קָצַב is a primitive root verb, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. It is related to the noun קֶצֶב (qetseb, H7093), which means 'a cutting' or 'a piece.' The root conveys the basic concept of severing or dividing by a cutting blow.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically dense term, its use in 2 Kings 6:6 is part of a prophetic miracle story that demonstrates God's power and provision through Elisha, affirming His care in seemingly mundane or disastrous circumstances. In Song of Solomon 4:2, its poetic use contributes to the rich imagery celebrating beauty and purity within the covenant relationship, a common metaphor for God's relationship with His people.
The action of cutting wood with an axe (2 Kings 6:6) was a common, labor-intensive task. The imagery of shorn sheep (Song 4:2) would have been immediately recognizable in an agrarian society, symbolizing cleanliness, renewal, and value, as wool was a vital resource. The sharp contrast between the two uses shows the word's flexibility from hard labor to high poetry.
כָּרַת (karat, H3772) — to cut off, cut down, or make a covenant; a broader term often used for cutting down trees or making agreements. גָּזַז (gazaz, H1494) — to shear sheep or mow grass; specifically for harvesting wool or grain. חָתַךְ (chatak, H2672) — to cut or divide; can imply cutting into pieces or deciding.
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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