קוּץ
to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious
Definition
The Hebrew verb קוּץ (qûwts) expresses a strong emotional reaction of disgust, loathing, or deep distress. It describes an intense feeling of being repulsed or wearied by something, to the point of wanting to be severed from it. In its causative form (Hiphil), it means to cause such disgust or anxiety in others, as when the Israelites 'grieved' or 'wearied' God (Numbers 21:5). The sense can range from personal loathing, as in Rebekah's dread of her Hittite daughters-in-law (Genesis 27:46), to national distress, as when Moab was 'in great dread' of Israel (Numbers 22:3).
Biblical Usage
This verb is used in narrative, legal, and wisdom contexts across nine Old Testament occurrences. It often appears in situations of profound social or spiritual alienation. In legal texts, it grounds commands for Israel to be distinct, as God finds the practices of other nations loathsome (Leviticus 20:23). In narrative, it describes the emotional catalyst for major events, like Rebekah's plea that sends Jacob away (Genesis 27:46) or the oppression that motivates Israel's cry in Egypt (Exodus 1:12). The sole prophetic use envisions a destabilizing political scheme (Isaiah 7:6), while the wisdom use counsels against loathing divine discipline (Proverbs 3:11).
Etymology
As a primitive root, קוּץ is considered identical with קוּץ (H6972), which means 'to awake' or 'arise.' The semantic connection likely flows through the idea of a sudden, sharp reaction—a 'rousing' of intense negative emotion. It is also compared to קוּט (H6962, 'to feel a loathing'), sharing the core concept of visceral rejection. This root family points to a meaning centered on a powerful, often sudden, emotional and physical withdrawal.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it describes the holy revulsion God has toward sin and pagan practices (Leviticus 20:23), defining a boundary for His covenant people. Conversely, it also portrays the human capacity to grieve and weary God through persistent rebellion (Numbers 21:5). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing that biblical 'loathing' or 'distress' is not a mild dislike but a profound emotional and relational rupture, highlighting the seriousness of sin and the call to holiness.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, the emotion described by קוּץ was not merely private but had strong communal and covenantal implications. To loathe something was to decisively separate from it, affecting one's social standing, family ties, and religious identity. Rebekah's loathing (Genesis 27:46) was a culturally powerful justification for sending Jacob away. This understanding of disgust as a force that creates social and religious boundaries differs from a modern, more individualistic view of repulsion.
תָּעַב (taʿab, H8581) — a stronger term often translated 'abhor' or 'abominate,' typically used for God's definitive rejection of idolatry and sin. שָׂנֵא (saneʾ, H8130) — means 'to hate,' covering a wider range from personal dislike to covenantal rejection, not always implying the visceral disgust of קוּץ. קוּט (qûṭ, H6962) — a closely related root meaning 'to feel a loathing,' often used interchangeably.
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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