קָצַץ
to chop off (literally or figuratively)
Definition
The verb קָצַץ (qâtsats) fundamentally means to cut off, chop off, or cut in pieces, often with a sense of decisive, forceful severing. It describes literal physical cutting, such as chopping wood (Exodus 39:3) or cutting off body parts like hands (Deuteronomy 25:12) or thumbs/toes (Judges 1:6-7). Figuratively, it can denote cutting something off from its source or connection, as seen when King Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple (2 Kings 18:16). The action implies a complete and often violent separation.
Biblical Usage
This verb appears in various narrative contexts, primarily in historical books like Exodus, Deuteronomy, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. It is used for acts of mutilation in warfare or punishment (Judges 1:6-7; Deuteronomy 25:12), for crafting materials by cutting gold into threads (Exodus 39:3), and for desecrating or repurposing sacred objects by cutting off their valuable elements (2 Kings 16:17; 18:16). The usage consistently conveys a definitive act of removal or division.
Etymology
קָצַץ is a primitive root verb. It is related to other Hebrew roots involving cutting, such as קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7096), meaning to cut off or determine. The doubling of the middle radical (the צ) in this form may emphasize the intensity or repetition of the cutting action. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of cutting or dividing.
Semantic Range
The word's usage in contexts of covenant punishment (Deuteronomy 25:12) and the desecration of temple articles (2 Kings 18:16) connects it to themes of divine judgment, holiness, and the consequences of disobedience. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these passages by highlighting the severity and finality of the actions described, whether they are judicial penalties or acts of sacrilege against God's holy place.
In its ancient Near Eastern setting, the act of cutting off hands or mutilating captives (Judges 1:6-7) was a brutal but documented practice of warfare and humiliation, serving as a graphic deterrent and a display of power. The cutting of gold into threads for weaving (Exodus 39:3) reflects advanced metallurgical and textile craftsmanship in service of the tabernacle, indicating the high value and sacred purpose of the materials.
כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut off or make a covenant, often more formal or relational. גָּזַר (gâzar, H1504) — to cut, divide, or decree, sometimes used for cutting stone or making decisions. כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut off or make a covenant, often more formal or relational.
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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