אֶגְרֹף (eg.roph)
eg.roph
fist
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun egroph refers simply to a clenched fist. It appears in only two verses, both describing physical force or aggression. In Exodus 21:15 and 17, the law prescribes the death penalty for anyone who strikes their father or mother with a fist, highlighting the severity of such violent rebellion against parental authority.
In Isaiah 9:19, the word describes the destructive power of war, where people eat each other’s flesh. Here, the fist symbolizes not just anger, but the brutal, consuming nature of conflict that turns neighbor against neighbor. The term carries no abstract or metaphorical weight beyond this literal, physical act of striking.
Its rarity in Scripture underscores how specific and severe these acts were considered. Translators consistently render it as "fist," preserving the concrete image of a closed hand used to strike. This simplicity leaves no room for ambiguity about the violence involved.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word egroph means a clenched fist, appearing in Scripture only twice to describe violent physical aggression. In Exodus 21:18, it highlights the severity of striking another person during a quarrel, showing that God takes physical harm seriously. This concrete image reminds us that our actions have real consequences for others.
In Isaiah 58:4, the fist symbolizes how religious rituals like fasting can be corrupted by selfishness and conflict. The prophet points out that true devotion is not just about outward acts but about how we treat those around us. When we act with aggression, even in the name of religion, we miss the heart of God.
For your daily life, this word invites reflection on how you handle anger or disagreement. It encourages a path of peace and respect, recognizing that every interaction matters to God. May you find strength in choosing kindness over conflict, trusting that God honors those who pursue harmony.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with/ a fist of1×
- with/ a fist1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/אֶגְרֹ֣ף1×
- בְ/אֶגְרֹ֑ף1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 21:18
“If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he doesn’t die, but is confined to bed;
This verse uses the word to specify the physical act of striking during a quarrel, emphasizing the seriousness of causing harm to another person.
-
Isaiah 58:4
Behold, you fast for strife and contention, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You don’t fast today so as to make your voice to be heard on high.
Here the fist represents aggressive behavior that undermines genuine fasting, showing how conflict can taint religious devotion.