כֵּילַף

כֵּילַף

a club or sledge-hammer

Definition

The Hebrew word כֵּילַף (kêylaph) refers to a heavy striking tool, specifically a club or sledge-hammer used for forceful demolition. Its sole biblical occurrence in Psalm 74:6 describes it as an instrument of destruction wielded against the carved paneling of the sanctuary. The context suggests a tool capable of shattering wooden structures, implying it was a formidable implement of violence. There are no other biblical passages where the meaning differs, as it appears only once.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 74:6. It appears in a lament describing the enemy's violent desecration of the Jerusalem temple, specifically the act of breaking down its carved woodwork with axes and hammers. The usage is purely descriptive of a tool used in an act of sacrilegious destruction, with no other patterns across biblical books.

Etymology

The noun כֵּילַף (kêylaph) is derived from an unused Hebrew root believed to mean 'to clap' or 'to strike with noise,' which aptly describes the action of using a hammer. This etymological connection highlights the word's association with percussive force and destructive impact. Cognates in other Semitic languages also point to tools or implements for striking.

Semantic Range

Though a simple tool, כֵּילַף gains theological significance from its context in Psalm 74:6, where it symbolizes the violent opposition to God's dwelling place and worship. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of the psalm by concretely illustrating the brutality of the temple's destruction, heightening the psalmist's anguish over the perceived absence of God in the face of such sacrilege. It underscores the theme of covenant violation and the vulnerability of sacred space. In the ancient Near East, hammers and clubs were common tools for construction and demolition, but also weapons of war. The specific use against temple paneling in Psalm 74:6 reflects a deliberate act of cultural and religious annihilation, aiming to erase the physical symbols of Israel's unique worship. The 'kêylaph' was likely a heavy, two-handed tool, differing from a modern carpenter's hammer in its sheer destructive capacity. פַּטִּישׁ (pattiysh, H6360) — a hammer or maul, often for forging metal (e.g., Isaiah 41:7). מַקֶּבֶת (maqqebeth, H4718) — a hammer or mallet, used in construction (e.g., Judges 4:21).

Word Details