מַפָּץ

מַפָּץ

a smiting to pieces

Definition

The Hebrew noun מַפָּץ (mappâts) refers to a violent act of shattering or dashing to pieces, often resulting in destruction or slaughter. It conveys the image of something being completely broken apart by a forceful blow. In its sole biblical occurrence in Ezekiel 9:2, it describes the 'weapon of slaughter' carried by one of the executioners in a vision of divine judgment. The term emphasizes the totality and finality of the destructive action.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 9:2. It appears in the context of a prophetic vision where God commands the marking of the righteous in Jerusalem before sending executioners to destroy the wicked inhabitants of the city. The word describes the instrument of destruction ('a weapon of slaughter') carried by one of these six divine agents, highlighting the severity and completeness of the coming judgment upon the city for its idolatry and violence.

Etymology

מַפָּץ (mappâts) is a noun derived from the root verb נָפַץ (nāp̄ats, H5310), which means 'to shatter,' 'to dash to pieces,' or 'to scatter.' The noun form indicates the result or instrument of that shattering action. Cognate words in related Semitic languages carry similar meanings of breaking or dispersing.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it appears in a key passage depicting God's holy judgment. In Ezekiel 9, the 'weapon of slaughter' is not wielded by a human army but by divine agents, underscoring that the destruction of Jerusalem is a direct act of God's justice against covenant rebellion. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by emphasizing the terrifying totality and divine origin of the judgment, which serves as a sobering backdrop to the prophet's messages of both warning and future hope for restoration. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the imagery of being 'dashed to pieces' was a common metaphor for military defeat and total subjugation. For the original audience of Ezekiel, familiar with warfare and siege, the term would vividly convey complete and irreversible destruction, amplifying the horror of the prophetic vision where this fate comes from God Himself rather than a foreign power. כְּרִית (kerîth, H3772) — a cutting off or extermination, often by divine decree. מַגֵּפָה (magephâh, H4046) — a blow, plague, or slaughter, often with a sense of widespread calamity. טֶבַח (ṭeb̠aḥ, H2874) — slaughter, typically of animals for sacrifice or in battle.

Word Details