קִבּוּץ
a throng
Definition
The Hebrew noun קִבּוּץ (qibbûwts) refers to a gathering or assembly of people, specifically a throng or company. It denotes a collected group, often implying a deliberate coming together. The word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 57:13, where it describes the 'company' or collective group of idols that a person might cry out to for help, in contrast to trusting in God. This singular usage highlights a gathered, but ultimately futile, collective.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Isaiah 57:13. In this prophetic context, it is used negatively to describe the assembled group of false idols that a deceitful person calls upon. The usage contrasts the worthless 'company' (qibbûwts) of idols with the true refuge found in God, who will inherit the land and possess His holy mountain.
Etymology
קִבּוּץ is a noun derived from the common Hebrew root קָבַץ (qābaṣ, H6908), which means 'to gather, assemble, or collect.' This root is used frequently in the Old Testament for gathering people (e.g., Exodus 3:16), harvest (e.g., Ruth 2:7), or other items. The noun form qibbûwts specifically denotes the result of that action—the gathered entity itself.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word carries theological weight in its context. It starkly contrasts human-made religious collectives with divine salvation. The 'company' (qibbûwts) represents everything gathered in opposition to or as a substitute for God—a futile assembly that will be swept away. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Isaiah 57:13 by emphasizing the emptiness of idolatrous alliances versus the secure, singular trust placed in Yahweh.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the worship of multiple deities often involved collecting and maintaining various idols or cultic objects. The concept of a 'company' of idols would resonate with the practice of assembling a pantheon or a set of household gods for protection and blessing. Isaiah's prophecy subverts this cultural norm, declaring such collected divine 'companies' as powerless.
עֵדָה (ʿēdâ, H5712) — a congregation or assembly, often used for the organized community of Israel. קָהָל (qāhāl, H6951) — an assembly, convocation, or community, frequently with a formal or liturgical purpose. מַחֲנֶה (maḥăneh, H4264) — a camp or encampment, emphasizing a gathered group in a specific location.
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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