דָּכָא (da.kah)
da.kah
to crush
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb daḵā means to crush, break, or shatter something into pieces. It appears seventeen times in the Old Testament, with a strong presence in Job, Isaiah, and Psalms. The word describes a forceful action that reduces an object or person to fragments, often conveying the severity of divine judgment or intense suffering.
In its figurative sense, particularly in the Niphal stem, it refers to being contrite or broken in spirit. This usage highlights a deep humility before God, where the hardness of heart is removed. Isaiah 57:15 illustrates this by describing God as dwelling with those who are crushed and lowly in spirit, showing that physical breaking can mirror spiritual renewal.
The roots of the word suggest a violent impact, yet Scripture uses it to describe both destruction and healing. When people allow themselves to be broken before God, they find restoration rather than ruin. This duality shows how the same force that destroys pride can create space for divine presence in the humble heart.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word daḵāh describes a forceful crushing, often used for physical destruction or severe judgment. It appears in verses like Job 6:9, where the speaker wishes God would crush him, and Isaiah 53:5, which speaks of the Messiah being crushed for our iniquities. This imagery can feel harsh, reminding us of human fragility and the weight of sin.
Yet Scripture also uses this word to describe a broken spirit that draws near to God. In Isaiah 57:15, the Holy One dwells with those who are contrite. The same force that breaks pride creates space for divine presence. When we acknowledge our need for God, we find restoration rather than ruin.
This duality shows that being broken before God is not the end. It is the beginning of healing. We do not need to hide our weakness; instead, we can bring it to Him, knowing He meets us in our humility.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you crush2×
- so/ they may be crushed2×
- to/ crush1×
- to crush/ him1×
- they have been made contrite1×
- they crush1×
- so/ he may crush1×
- people crush/ them1×
- it has been crushed1×
- he has crushed1×
- crushed1×
- contrite [people]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּדַכֵּ֖א1×
- תְּדַכְּא֣וּ1×
- נִדְכָּאִֽים\׃1×
- מְדֻכָּאִ֑ים1×
- מְדֻכָּ֖א1×
- לְ/דַכֵּא֙1×
- יְדֻכָּֽא\׃1×
- יְדַכְּא֑וּ1×
- יְ֝דַכְּא֗וּ/ם1×
- וּֽ/תְדַכְּאוּ/נַ֥נִי1×
- וִֽ/ידַכֵּ֣א1×
- וִֽ/ידַכְּאֵ֑/נִי1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
This verse connects the physical crushing of the Messiah directly to spiritual healing for others.
-
Isaiah 57:15
For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Here the word shifts from destruction to describe the humble spirit with whom God chooses to dwell.
-
Job 6:9
even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
The speaker uses this strong verb to express a desire for total relief through divine intervention.
-
Psalms 72:4
He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.
This occurrence shows God using crushing power to protect the poor from their oppressors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word daḵāh mean?
How is daḵāh different from other words for breaking?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 6 books)
Job 6 verses
How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
Job 5:4His children are far from safety. They are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to deliver them,
Job 6:9even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Job 19:2“How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?
Job 22:9You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
Job 34:25Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.